Happy Halloween 2008

The Halloween festivities started early this year with the annual trip to Disneyland for Mickey's Halloween Treat waaay back on the 4th.

We spent the afternoon enjoying the nice weather and going on rides at Land with Scott, Gaynor, Lauren, Amanda and big brother Kevin. Then the whole tribe headed to dinner where we met up with Kim, Zak, and best buddy Jaxon - which (sadly) ended up being the only time we saw them all night! When dinner was over, we rendezvou'd with Doug, (a very sick) Tina, and future husband James dressed as Buzz Lightyear to begin the candy harvest at CA Adventure.

We got divided (didn't conquer), but still managed to to end up with enough candy to cause our children's dentistis to spontaneously begin twitching. This year, that wasn't much of a concern for Miss Ten: she was way more interested in going on rides and seeing the princesses. Regardless, she & Amanda were adorable as our "twin" Belle's.

Later on we split up again so Ten could hit a few more rides, and as luck would have it, she got to see Belle herself right before we went home.

She did the whole day: school, drive, D-land, dinner, 4 hrs of Halloween Treat with no nap and a remarkably good attitude. It was no surprise when she passed out on her dad's shoulder waiting for the tram.



The middle of the month brought Amanda's birthday party, and Break-fast (see previous post re. the Peanut Butter Bar incident). Then it was time for the annual trip to the Live Oak Canyon Pumpkin Patch. www.liveoakcanyon.com

This year's trip was so-so. It was hot (80+ degrees) and Ten had refused breakfast that morning so she was a cranky kid by the time we got there. As usual, the goats in the petting zoo (who are bigger and heavier than Ten) knocked her down and took her cup of feed, prompting boatloads of tears, harsh words directed at the goat, and a replacement cup of feed provided. Repeat. At that point you just remove the crying mess of a pre-schooler and try to wash her hands.

Ponies were ridden, ATV train was ridden solo this year, bounce houses were bounced in. The tiger slide was attempted once and deemed "scary". We did, however, talk her into trying the super trampoline. She was a little unsure about the whole thing, and her initial jumps were attempted awkwardly with straight legs- odd since she loves the trampoline at gymnastics.

But then the trampoline guy did her a solid, and raised her weight so she was off the tramp and pulled her down and let her fly high on the bungees. She loved it- all giggles and grins from ear to ear.

Our last order of the day was to hike out into the pumpkin patch for our annual picture and to procure a suitable gourd for carving.

Since the holiday fell on a Friday this year, we decided to go to Jeff's parents house in Clovis. We drove up on Thursday morning and spent Thursday night carving our pumpkins and toasting the pumpkin seeds.

This year marked a 1st for Tenley: she went Trick-or-Treating. For real. Usually we go to Aunty Kim's or one of the local churches for their carnival and Trunk-or-Treat, so Ten knew nothing about the traditional door-to-door method of candy collection. Fortunately, the Grandparents live in a nice, safe neighborhood where everybody knows everybody and it's still safe to trick-or-treat like we did when we were kids.

We got her all dressed up and explained the process. She looked at us as if to say "You expect me to believe that if I knock on someone's door, utter some nonsense words, and hold out a bucket- that they'll just give me candy???"

We started her out easy at Joe the next door neighbor's house- whom she just loves. Though dubious, she followed the instructions, and was delighted when Joe dumped a handful of candy in her pail. By the third house, she had the hang of it and we were told to hurry up, because we were aparently slowing her down. Now she was looking at us like "You two have been holding out on me." She did a couple blocks and called it a night. However, each item in the bucket has been counted and inventoried. There will be no removing anything without her knowing.

It was a good trip, and we may do it again next year. Sat & Sun morning were spent relaxing and playing before the long drive home.

Welcome November- bring on the Bird!!!!