Halloween Festivities

We had a very busy week leading up to Halloween with many opportunities for the kids to get dressed up (and subsequently make messes on their costumes, but let's not talk about that now).  The first event was a party for the Primary (age 18 months - 12 years) children at Church.

Jack was pretty psyched before we got in the car.

But he'd lost some of his steam by the time we arrived at the party.

The key to success with a beanbag toss: stand 18 inches from your target.

And I'll take my prize, thankyouverymuch.

I think it's funny to compare Cat's and Jack's differing approaches to the doughnut-on-a-string competition.
Cat was able to fully obey the rules and NOT touch the doughnut, easily fitting the entire thing in her mouth.
Jack broke all the rules, held the doughnut, and still took several minutes to eat his doughnut, even after I helped him out a little.

Jack was first to win a cookie during the Pumpkin Walk, so of course Cat is pushing him along here, thinking that might help her chances of winning her cookie next.

Cat's Halloween Costume Parade:

I took Jack and Eliza to Cat's school to watch the costume parade.  I was sure I would get some cute pictures, but Cat was much more interested in dancing with her friend Lily than in posing for pictures.  Ahh, princesses and gypsies... will opposites ever cease to attract?

After the costume parade, Jack the Dragon did some hanging around on the playground.

Trick-Or-Treating:

All ready to go!  Yes, Eliza started on the candy early.  She saw Ben pull out lollipops to hand to some early trick-or-treaters and would NOT be pacified until she had one of her own.

First stop: the sweet couple next door.  We really lucked out in the neighbor department!

Jack and Eliza checking out their stash when we got back home.  (Cat ended up doing most of her trick-or-treating with our neighbors, Grace and George, so she got home a little later than we did.)

So, Jack, how many licks does it take to get to the Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie Pop?

Other festivities from the last week not pictured above: MBA Spouse Association Halloween Party and a couple of wear-your-costume-to-______ activities.  It was a hectic but fun week and now I can't believe it's time to get ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Yikes!  Where has the year gone??