Trick or Treat!

Practicing!

The Loot!

Tonight Conleigh enjoyed her sixth Halloween. As I tucked her sugar-overloaded, weary body into bed tonight, we reviewed all of the costumes she has enjoyed.
2003 Ladybug
2004 Cow
2005 Hmmm...I have no idea
2006 Princess Belle
2007 Cat
2008 Witch

Just for kicks, Alex has dressed as:
in 2004, he came home from the hospital the day before Halloween and he was dressed as a little pumpkin. In 2005, did we skip Halloween? I cannot remember what either child was dressed as. 2006 - he was an air force man. Last year he was Spiderman and this year he dressed up as Batman.

Campbell was a cute Snow White this evening. She was transported in her carriage (wagon) to each house for trick or treating. She loved it! Last year she was a bumble bee, and her inaugural Halloween she got an impromptu Mrs. T hairdo and t-shirt by daddy. What a good sport.

The kids took naps this afternoon. Conleigh had quiet time on her bed. All of this preparation was well worth it for a fun, no melt-down Halloween evening. Katie & Grace and their brother Henry & their parents came over to trick or treat with us. We all went to the Jaeger's house where a very large group of neighbors went out together. With no streetlights or sidewalks in the neighborhood, it is dark and the cars are fast. The big group was perfect. All the parents could run interference on the few cars that came through. The kids filled their buckets with tons of c.a.n.d.y.
Now everyone is tucked in tight and will have very sweet dreams if the amount of sugar they ate contributes to their dreams. (grin)

Wordless Wednesday

 

 

Happy Birthday Big Boy!

Apple Bobbing with buddies Bishop and Marko watching how it's done.


Little boys lined up for the singing to the Birthday Boy.

Who is behind that Storm Trooper mask?

Today we celebrated Alex's 4th birthday! Tomorrow, the 27th is his actual birthday, but for all purposes - today - was his day! He saw all 5 of his grandparents. Granny came to town Friday and stayed with us until this morning. She brought Alex some terrific new clothes and a much wanted skateboard.

This afternoon we had a costume party for Alex. All his friends came dressed in their Halloween costumes and looked adorable. Grandpa Hardin took pictures of everyone in their attire and then most everyone retired to regular play clothes. We had a bounce house, a winner as usual. A couple of other activities included confetti egg bashing and bobbing for apples. Surprisingly, the kids did a great job of getting the apples. They had long stems, so we have some confidence in these 4 year olds for future apple bobbing contests! And then, a lot of children ate the apples! Parents were surprised and suggested a broccoli bobbing contest next. ~grin~

Mommy was proud of the 'haunted bathroom.' When you walked in a witch started telling you your fortune, and when you turned around a spider fell from the shower rod. Then you got the treat of looking at a pirate skeleton head laying in the bathtub. The Hardin children were not fans of the haunted bathroom. I got rave reviews from some parents on their kids reactions and Conleigh told me that another little boy was really scared.

Peter & I got our signals crossed on the size of the birthday cake and we have a TON of cake leftover. It was embarrassingly big.

Star Wars toys were definitely the order of the day. Grandma & Bepaw brought
Alex a storm trooper helmet and he received all sorts of Star Wars stuff that I have to ask what it is, but Daddy was in heaven. Who's birthday was it anyway?

Happy Birthday sweet, sweet ALEX!

The TEXAS State Fair!

A trip to Dallas was the direction our car took us this weekend, but more importantly, our friends the Lins and Uncle Kyle were a part of our weekend.
We took in the State Fair. This was our last tour of the State Fair with the Lins, as they will be pulling up stakes and moving the fam to San Diego. We'll miss you a lot!
Here are a few pictures from the weekend.

Pumpkin Hunting

Campbell says, "I like this one."
Alex claims, "This one is just right, don't you think?"

Conleigh comments, "This one is as beautiful as me."

Peter & Kate proclaim, "We'll take all three of you cute pumpkins!"

$17,000!!!!

Yes, that is what I said today when the Visa lady called to ask if I had charged that to my Visa TODAY!!! Ahem, NO!
Someone got a hold of our Visa number and they were having a ball with it via the internet today. With three charges, one for $500 to some girl I have never heard of, one for $14,000 to some 'charitable organization' that I couldn't even pronounce and the final $2,500 to a Jewish 'charitable organization'. I am all for giving to charity, but I like to pick the charities that we endorse. HELLO! I was a little freaked out, but thankfully Visa was doing their job and I really do appreciate that.
On a funny note about the call from Visa, she read through my charges during the last week. One from yesterday was the City of Austin for a parking violation. Hmmm...didn't know about that. Peter had to fess up when I called to tell him about our $17K that I just saved us. (grin)
The weekend looks busy with soccer and birthday parties. Peter also hopes to finish painting the house. Or, maybe it is me that hopes Peter finishes painting the house.

Almost wordless Wednesday...

The season has begun...Guess who Alex will be for Halloween?