Halloween Preparations

Halloween is just around the corner, so we (ahem ... Michael) is busy preparing for the big day.

First up, pumpkin carving.  You can probably tell which one is Michael's, and which ones the rest of us carved.

I did take responsibility for Mia's costume.  She made a very specific request, and I happily went out and purchased it for her!

Luke, on the other hand, has presented yet another challenging request this year:  a rocketship.  This is not just something that you can buy online or at Party City (much to Michael's dismay), so it has been another all-out costume design challenge this year (as if last year wasn't enough!).

Yet again, Daddy delivered in the 11th hour after a second iteration of the original idea.  It was good for us to have the Mandala Harvest Party to test out the costume in advance of Halloween.  Some more adjustments to the nose were necessary before the rocketship's big reveal at school and on Halloween night.

Mia was on snack duty at school the day before Halloween, so we make sure to be festive and made mini pumpkins out of cuties and celery.

I think we are ready!...

...and I've informed everyone around here that next year we are opting for costumes that are easily purchased or borrowed!!

Fall is here

Fall:  my favorite time of the year.  So, I can't resist making sure that we get out to pick pumpkins and apples, regardless of the fact that California weather hardly is cooperative (I'm thinking sweaters, crisp air, cider ... and it is usually about 80 degrees around here).  This year was no different, but we did try a new location (Clearview Orchards) that offered organic apples and pumpkins.

Lots of photos on this post because I can't choose just a couple.

Scarecrow faces

Apple Cider pops

Fun Horse swings made out of tires

Mia loved "reading" with this little girl statue

Apple picking

Taste testing

Selecting pumpkins

The best we could do for a family photo

A fun fall day!

Pumpkin Carving 2012

 Luke was F.O.C.U.S.E.D. on carving pumpkins this year.  He wanted more than anything to do the entire thing himself, start to finish.  With a little help from Day, he was able to do most of it on his own.

Mia started off with good intentions, but soon grew bored (and had NO interest in touching what was inside of the pumpkin!).  After a short while, Mommy helped finish Mia's pumpkin while Paw took her up for a bath.

 

 Luke with his masterpiece (on the right)

Admiring the lit pumpkins

 

Finished products



Pumpkin Patch 2012

We made our annual trek to the pumpkin patch this past weekend.  We decided to re-visit Farmer Bob's in Half Moon Bay because we loved it so much last year.  It is one of the only (maybe THE only) authentic pumpkin patch that I've ever been to.  I love that they have a bazillion pumpkins, but also have a bunch still on the vines so that the kids can examine them and see how pumpkins really grow.  Not to mention that the prices can't be beat.

It was an absolutely stunning morning in Half Moon Bay.  Jess, Aidan, and Bailey met us and we had lots of fun and found tons of pumpkins!