Halloween

Halloween this year was a 7-step process: 

Step 1: Playgroup Halloween Party.

Friends.  Cookie decorating.  Costumes.  Stickers.  Fun.

Step 2:  Halloween Party hosted by our friend, Amy Watts.

She organized the cutest party for the youngest of Halloween fans.  All of the creative (and surprisingly healthy) treats were a hit.  We provided the location, but Amy (AKA Mary Poppins) planned everything.

Rapunzel poses with her clone.

She didn't have it in this picture, but I loved that she carried a little frying pan with her everywhere to stay in character.

I was "Wendy" for Halloween.  The costume looked much better in my head.  I sprayed my hair out sideways with a ton of hairspray, used a hanger to make my scarf and belt stick out and taped on some leaves.  That diaper-looking thing was supposed to be a newspaper blown against me.  Hmm.

Step 3: Heywoods' Halloween Party.

Our friends, the Heywoods, have the best set-up for Halloween parties, which includes a spook alley and a huge barn party room.  I wish I would have captured pictures during the party, especially of Jason who was Mr. Clean.  (I was Betty Crocker.)  However, I did manage to snap this when we pulled into the garage after a 5 minute drive.  The sign of a good party - exhaustion and a messy face: 

Step 4:  School Halloween Party.

Pippi & Rapunzel - who knew they would get along so well?

 Step 5:  Trick-or-Treating at Daddy's office.

I explained to the girls before hand that at Daddy's office, they could go around and say "trick-or-treat" and people would give them candy.  As we walked along the sidewalk, before we even made it to the front door of the office building, Gabby said, "Mmmmm!  I smell candy!!"

Step 6:  Trick-or-Treating in our neighborhood.

We went around our neighborhood block with some friends of ours and the girls quickly got the hang of how things should be done.  (This was the first year for both of them.)  Ladybug Claire even learned to say, "tic-o-teet," very quickly thanks to the sugary motivation.

Step 7:  Wear your costume every day after Halloween.

Yes, even a month after Halloween, Gabby continues to ask to change into her princess costume the moment she gets in the door from school or other outings.

Oh, won't the kids be surprised next year when they find out that Halloween is usually only one or two steps....