Someday I Will Miss This Chaos: Halloween Festivities

We got a late start on our pumpkin carving this year; I'm not sure why. I think life just seems to get in the way at times. We finally got around to carving it on Tuesday--the day Phil was home from work. The kids seemed lukewarm to the idea, especially about helping to gut the fruit (BTW, who knew pumpkins were a fruit?! Or that Illinois is the top-producing pumpkin state?!). And seeing as the man of the family loathes this task, SuperMom came to the rescue, digging her hands into the muck and removing the seeds. Notice that not one picture was taken of this greusome task...

Dad ready to cut off the top.

The kids surround the finished product.

Then the kids had to wait. But on Thursday the 30th, the kids got dressed in their costumes to attend the library's costumed storytime. It was so much fun, as always. I love this particular library, even though we're not technically library card members. Our library is less than stellar, so we go to the drop-in storytime at this library. After the stories, the kids did a costume parade around the library to the "Monster Mash" playing on a portable CD player.

Posing before we left for the library.

Waiting for the librarian to begin storytime.

Friday came, and Riley dressed up for her preschool festivities. Unfortunately, I didn't know they asked parents to come early and see the costumed musical chairs. I was able to catch the last 2/3 of the game, and luckily Riley was still in the mix. She made it down to the last 5 kids.

Riley is in the middle. The kid on her left, she told me,
was dressed as Count Chocula. Uncle D should enjoy that.

Posing for the camera.

She brought home more candy than she really needed; we were asked to bring in candy for the kids, but moms that didn't sign up brought candy. She brought home enough that we really didn't need to go door-to-door!

We had to wait until after naps, though. And for Dad to come home. Phil dressed up a bit for the occasion, and Riley wanted in on the photo op.

Dad and his girl.

We all went to our close neighbors' houses--about 4 in all. And then the kids and I met up with some neighbors, and off we went. Phil stayed home and "manned" the house, but I think he just stayed outside and socialized with our neighbors. The weather was beautiful (upper 60s), so I guess I can't blame him.

Obligatory Halloween step photo.

Ready to go!

We hit quite a few houses, and both kids did great. Jeremy walked most of the way, although I brought the wagon just in case. He was slower than Riley, of course, and a few doors he knocked on the door because he couldn't reach the doorbell. He'd say, "Happy Halloween." There was one house that had a bowl of candy near the door, and he proudly proclaimed, "M&Ms, Momma! Your favorite!" And then he became equally excited for "Papa treats," aka Tootsie Rolls. We made it home about 6:15, so about an hour's worth of trick-or-treating. The kids, of course, came away with quite the stash of candy, which, as my duty, I will attempt to help them eat. The things mothers have to do!