Halloween Fun

Lots of Halloween photos in this post, ya'll! We started the celebrations the weekend before Halloween, when Nathan, Natalie, and Danielle's friends Trey, Ty, and Harper hosted a Halloween party at their house. It was a perfect, sunny fall afternoon, and the kids had a blast.

This year's costumes: traffic light, purple butterfly, adorable baby in a tutu

The night before Halloween, we got down to some pumpkin carving business. Both kiddos were very excited to draw their pumpkin face carving plan.

Todd and I helped with the actual carving, and then it came time to scoop. Nathan was NOT into it. He didn't like the slime. His sister, however, was all about it. Natalie cleaned out her pumpkin and then helped Nathan with his!

On Halloween day, I went to Natalie's preschool for the annual Halloween parade. I love it because it is a bunch of little kids looking mystified by the fact that they are all dressed funny, all their parents are at school with them, and said parents are taking hundreds of photos. :)  Amazingly, there were no Elsas! Just one Anna.

Purple butterfly on the move

Natalie and her best buddy Riley

Preschool room girls

In what has become a treasured tradition, we went over to Suzanne and Bryan's house for dinner and trick-or-treating. Ellie, dressed as Audrey Hepburn, had already left with her group of friends by the time I got out my camera, but the younger ones humored me briefly before heading out into the COLD evening for trick-or-treating. Yes, my friends, although it was 70 degrees on Monday, but Friday's Halloween celebrations there was snow on the ground! Sigh. It's the only time I have found myself wishing that I lived back in the South again. I love having four seasons, but trick-or-treating in the snow is not much fun, at least for the grown-ups! It was marvelous to spend time with Suz and Bryan and their kids though. They are dear friends, and they only live a few miles from us, but busy schedules mean that we rarely get together. Thank goodness I work with Suz so I get to see her on a daily basis!

Nathan's Tree, Year 6

Nathan and his tree have both grown this year. Where Nathan has become a leggy Kindergartner, his tree has grown wider and thicker. It really does make a great secret fort now!

Probably the biggest development for Nathan since his last tree picture is that he can read now! He has discovered the power of the story, and also has discovered just how useful it is to be able to read all sorts of signs and labels! :)

First Day of Kindergarten!

Nathan started Kindergarten on the Wednesday after Labor Day! On that Tuesday, Natalie had her first day of preschool, and I took Danielle to daycare so Nay and I could spend the day together. We went out to breakfast, stopped in at his school for a meet and greet with his teacher Ms. Cardillo, went to Battle Creek for lunch with Todd, and spent the afternoon at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. It was a completely awesome day for both of us.

The morning of the first day of school was beautiful, and Nathan was so excited! Both Todd and I brought him, and he walked in with a huge smile on his face and not a moment's hesitation. A new era has officially begun!

One-on-one Time

Back in June I had some vacation days to use or lose by the end of the month. I decided to take two days where I sent all three kids to daycare, but each day I surprised one of the older kids with a picnic lunch in Bronson Park.  They were both so excited! It was so much fun to have some time to concentrate on and talk to just Natalie and then just Nathan. Todd and I have decided to try and make a more concerted effort to do little things like this with one child at a time. It's good for everyone!