Ok so total catch up before the 1st… not likely, but some posts… this I can do.

Well another Halloween is done and dusted. This year may have been the last one the twins trick or treat at. They are growing up so quickly!

Echo’s costume was a combination of a Ren in the Glen (Post to follow on that fun time) purchase, and a tail made by Ken from faux fur we picked up at Joann’s. Bam – an adorable unicorn.

Trinity went smart and asked for a Koala onesie she could then wear as pj’s.

Emanuel went classic as a pirate.

Zander and Gavin did a repeat on their wizard as they humored mom.

This year part of Zander and Gavin’s schooling is to plan the themed meals for Echo. They seem to lean on the side of deserts. We may need to discuss balance next!

We decorated jars for candles.

And of course the pets dressed up too…

We had a lovely light afternoon and then in the evening were off to the Novak’s to trick or treat with Aidan (Stan Lee). It was great fun and a huge haul!!

The whole group

Yoshi

Of course, the evening ended with the big parent candy sort.

Not bad for a Halloween that seemed to creep up on us. We only got the pumpkin carved 2 days before!!

I even dressed up… well sort of. I had bought an amazing hat from a local vender… Three Bears – Fun Fur Accessories HERE. Paired up with a few pieces I had on hand, Ken felt it was very… Russian Mail Order Bride… I felt is was deliciously warm. In fact, I ordered a special order matching Muff from the same woman!!! 

And now for some spare photos!

I am starting to think this entire week is just  too close to Halloween for concentration levels. So today was a bit of a fun day instead of trying to do even the Halloween themed worksheets… Not that I am complaining! There was less fighting today and the kids chose activities that were fun and somewhat educational at the very least. 

The little ones went back to their Pumpkin graphing game with their own rules, which went well until Zander got involved and said someone HAD TO win… oops! So next time we go back to the “everyone wins” rules. 

Dice game

We brought out one of the foam kits my mom found for us and the kids all made foam animal puppets. Lots of fun! 

Monkey!

We finally got out in the front yard with Fat Sheep and our Halloween photo props from Education.com. You can find the actual pages here and here. In fact you can find my entire Halloween collection here. I have tried all the ones in the list and will be going through and rating and commenting this weekend. 

So much sun!

The twins spent a nice amount of time outside creating their own little clubhouse out of the cardboard in the shed that was later put away (with much complaining after they spread it all over the back lawn). 

Temporary clubhouse

We baked cupcakes to celebrate Halloween and pumpkin carving. We used a box mix but our favourite Fluffy Seven-Minute frostingwent on top. Ken coloured it orange. They were topped with our little hand coloured decorations. 

Cupcakes!

Pumpkin carving was great fun… well mainly for the adults. Gavin was willing to get his hands dirty and Zander did some cutting but it really was all grown up action on these ones. The results were rather amazing though!

Kristen and Fydo working on theirs

Sorta kinda helping Daddy

Ours is the far right - don't you love how Kristen and Fydo's match theme?

I took some time this afternoon and took pictures of Zander in the one costume that is NOT handmade – he chose a knight this year when the ones at Superstore were on for 40% off… it fits really well for a bought costume and he is VERY happy. Echo and I spent a little time in the sun with him while he posed and showed off his “almost like a real sword” sword. I am so glad that each of the kids so far is happy. That just leaves Gavin and his lemur tail (tomorrow morning) and Echo and her dress… in the mail ONE city away!!! 

Our mighty knight

Add to that the creation of some adorable penguins out of felt and a design Ken and I came up with and we have still managed to have a pretty productive day. I am planning on putting two of them up on Etsy for 5.00 plus shipping each and see if any interest occurs!! Who knows, and they are quick and easy to make so I can make a bunch and then wait and see. 

Penguin Felties!

Our plans for the weekend going into Halloween have changed. Canadian Tire has not yet gotten our vehicle in for the needed repair. So it is not worth risking stranding to get out to my mom’s and back again. This is a great disappointment to us all as I was to go to a fashion show with mom on Friday and then trick or treating with the family as well. Luckily some local friends and a dear cousin swooped in and helped me make a back up plan last weekend so we are now in the middle of ensuring it is still a memorable weekend. I really do appreciate how much people are willing to work around and with me with the limping van and the house full of kids! Makes me feel much less like a lump on a log or a burden and more like a social being!! 

But now it is time to get back to the penguins, start the tidying for our weekend AND enjoy the fact that this evening we had some time with a lovely couple, carved pumpkins AND had the whole family involved! 

Fat Sheep and Echo

Cuddling with Kristen