Halloween Wrap Up

BOO! A quick wrap-up of our Halloween activities now that our power is fully restored, laundry has been caught up, the freezer and refrigerator have been dumped of bad goods (huge bummer!!) and my favorite computer is usable again:

The cute kids....

The tooth fairy and her baby tooth:

The tooth fairy's husband and storm fire-making master.

Our attempts at getting a group photo by the tree went a little like this:

So we did what any good parent would do. We offered them candy if they would cooperate. They were so busy watching it that it took loud parenting cheers and maybe a round of "Wheels on the Bus" to get semi-full attention.

Our prayer at dinner a few nights later by Sissy: "Dear Jesus, thank you for Brendan and Ryan's house, Jack's house, Baby Teaghan's house and Ethan's house." (She neglected to mention any of the sisters. Hmm....)

The multi-talented parents. They can entertain, discipline, negotiate, direct traffic, enforce manners, make Happy Meals and organic food seem equally delicious, referee and maintain a semi-full adult conversation all in a single bound.

Sissy claimed her new BFF.

She wanted Suzanne to assist her to every home. The new BFF informed us that before Sissy arrived at each doorstep she would say under her breath, "Want some". 

It was an amazing night that ended with our group sitting around a cold kitchen by flashlight, digging through new candy treasures, feeling warm with laughter and good stories and not letting a big bully by the name of Sandy steal our holiday fun.

(The post-storm waves at our beach. I took this photo from our car window high up on the rocks and the right side of my face got slammed with water!)

Speaking of Sandy, I'm not partial to reliving the last 7+ days of being without heat and electricity, but there were definitely some moments of sunshine that peeked through the bleak, gray rain.

Being thankful for soft blankets, lots of cozy layers, warm milk, hot tea, and curling up with a good mystery while listening to sweet baby sounds.

Taking lunch anywhere outside of home since we all had a case of cabin fever. In this case, we visited a nearby elementary school and sat amongst large fallen branches and across from broad doors that had been blown out by the storm's winds. 

We read books at night by flashlight and tried some new activities during the day to keep our minds off the cold.

(Daddy read The Very Hungry Caterpillar while the kids found the colorful felt pieces that matched.)

Hoping you and yours are staying warm and recognizing all of the little things we sometimes take for granted that make life special.

 

Happy Fall-O-Ween (a little belated)

"There is a child in every one of us who is still a trick-or-treater looking for a brightly-lit front porch." - Robert Brault

(Post written on Saturday, October 27th: Our family just emerged from 7 full days of no electricity or heat. We were truly blessed in that our home and yard were spared and we only suffered being really, really cold living in a house tempered at below 45 degrees and continual breakouts of pinching, hitting, crying and frustration over sharing small quarters for what felt like an eternity. BUT we made it through, we still love each other to pieces and I can honestly say that I've never been so happy to be inside our warm and cozy home.)

I love fall. 

After doing our best to prepare for what promises to be an ugly storm headed our direction, I frantically took pictures of the fall foliage, cooked a couple of yummy meals that could be warmed up (we have a gas stove that doesn't require electricity), and tried to squeeze in some crafty activities before we were left with no hot water or lights.

 

I tried to perfect a recipe for ghost bananas that I discovered on Pinterest but it ended in soggy, banana mush that fell out of the white chocolate shell.

My kids were less than enamored at my efforts. 

So we moved on to dressing up for the pre-storm activities. 

Meet Dr. Hunter Menoni Builder (he added the last part on the day of the party and insisted on carrying his tool box so no one would be confused as to his dual identity.)

And Elmo for the girl who couldn't decide between her top two choices. 

(I am totally in love with this costume! It was hand crafted by The Dancing Tutu on etsy.)

Although she claimed she loved her outfit, she soon broke into tears exclaiming her dress was "too big! too big! take off!" to which we finally made a quick wardrobe change and smiles soon followed. 

Yeah, this is more her look anyway. 

We all happily made our way to our friends' Bonfire party and then headed out to another friends' outdoor Charlie Brown's Halloween viewing party.

During the night Sissy met up with her favorite friend Teaghan. Every time I looked over she was kissing him on the cheek or lips. (Should I be worried about this?)

It was a great night and we went to bed knowing that even if storm Sandy steals the traditional Halloween night, we still feel as if we got to celebrate in a big way.

Oh, and another one of my favorite things about Autumn? 

 Shoes.

 Happy Fall!