Happy Halloween

Despite looking like it would rain all day, the Halloween weather held out for us.  

The kids had a costume parade at daycare.  They walked to the nearby senior living center where they got treats and put on a good show for all of the residents.  I think it was as much fun for them as it was for the kids.  Declan was all smiles to see us and Teagan happily paraded in her full Rapunzel costume. Then we enjoyed pumpkin pie and cider - Declan is apparently a big pumpkin pie fan because he wolfed it down.

It was chilly but dry and with a few layers everyone was perfectly comfortable for trick-or-treating.  The kids had a blast, and we had so much fun watching them.  Declan was a trooper, going to every door and loving every minute.  Teagan led the way but was very polite with her 'please', 'thank you' and 'happy halloween's.  Teagan loved getting home in time to pass out candy to a few trick or treaters and Declan enjoyed a twix bar.  I can't wait to do it all over again next year!

Bearded Girl

On the way home from Zoo Boo, and unbeknownst to us, Teagan had a pen and paper that she was coloring with.  I guess she decided she was jealous of Declan's Flynn Ryder goatee because I turned around and she had drawn herself a beard.  It was actually pretty funny, but we did talk about how she should only color on her skin with Mommy and Daddy's permission.  I took a few photos for the memory book, and then she asked if she could use a marker like Declan had, so I let her indulge before she washed the beards away.  She was quite proud of herself, and really, no harm done.

Zoo Boo

Last Saturday we went to the Zoo Boo at Seneca Park Zoo so the kids could trick-or-treat in the daylight and extend the halloween fun a little longer.  Teagan wore her full Rapunzel getup but after some walking and moving the wig was too much so she just had the dress.  I used the opportunity to dress up as Mother Gothel from the Disney movie Tangled, so Teagan, Declan and I were quite the trio - Rapunzel, Flynn Rider, and Mother Gothel.  We lucked out with nice weather and enjoyed the company of Daddy, Mame, Aunt Jenna, and cousin Max.  It was a little chilly, but overall a decent day.

My Mother Gothel costume

Mother Gothel, Flynn, and Rapunzel

Aunt Jenna and Cousin Max

Teagan and the GECKO

Max's costume, hidden under layers of warmth

Pumpkin Patch

We headed to the pumpkin patch after our costume photo shoot (see previous post).  The kids weren't super cooperative for a nice photo but we managed to get one that is decent.  Then it was time for the corn stalk teepee, hay bale maze, and picking out four large, carvable pumpkins.  The kids had fun and the rain held off long enough for us to finish our task.  Bring on Halloween.

Rapunzel and Flynn

Several weeks ago Teagan decided she would like to be Rapunzel for Halloween.  I had seen a tutorial online for a yarn Rapunzel wig and decided to take a crack at making one for Teagan.  We had been promising Teagan a Rapunzel dress-up dress for a while so it was win win for us that she could use it for Halloween too.  We picked a chunky, light yellow yarn for the wig and I went to work last weekend sewing it together strand by strand.  We had a toy gecko that doubled as Pascal, and we found a small frying pan from the kitchen set to round out the costume.  She also had some flowers in her hair.  She can't decide if she wants to wear it down for Halloween or in a braid.  For now I just pulled back some strands from her face to keep them out of the way.  

We headed to Durand Eastman park where there is a castle-like structure for the perfect backdrop.  I love what they add to the feel of the photos.

She really wanted Pascal on her shoulder

Now enter Flynn Rider.  We had talked about Declan or Daddy being Flynn, but decided that we didnt have the right items for the costume and Declan borrowed a friends skeleton costume.  On Friday on the way home, Teagan was talking about Halloween and what Declan was going to be.  She was sad that she had no one to be Flynn with her.  I offered up Daddy, figured I could throw something together.  But she really wanted her brother to be Flynn with her.  So this morning I was able to find an old 3T jean jacket of Teagans, a brown T-shirt of Matt's in the goodwill pile, and some old black dress socks.  I got khakis and a collared shirt from Declan's drawer, and some winter boots.  I cut the sleeves off the jean jacket to make Flynn's vest, and cut up and re-sewed the T-shirt to make a little satchel.  The idea with the boots and dress socks was to put the adult sized dress socks over the purple winter boots to make some black boots for Flynn.  Our mini Flynn wasn't feeling the best so we decided not to torture him with boots today, but I think it still came together.  He sure makes a handsome Flynn Rider!

And no photos yet, but on Halloween I have my own plans for a Mother Gothel costume so stay tuned!

Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair....

Let down your hair so Flynn can come up

Wow, love these two

She did a few silly shots at the end

Lilly's 2nd Birthday

Last weekend we helped celebrate our friend Lilly's 2nd birthday.  The kids had fun playing with new friends and new toys and we all enjoyed good food, good cake, and good company.  As Declan gets older the 6 month age gap between him and Lilly becomes less obvious - by next year we'll barely notice I'm sure.

Happy Birthday Lilly!

Eating at the kids table

Mama and the Birthday girl

tea set we got Lilly - a big favorite in our house

Getting ready for cake

Sleepy boy...just after this he came alive with excitement over cake

Singing Happy Birthday

time to blow out the candles

 Blowing out candles is a family affair

Declan playing

Apparently a 30 min car nap just doesn't cut it