Halloween Festivities 2012

I cannot believe that Halloween is over. This is a good thing though. I LOVE this time of year as we approach more meaningful holidays that bring us together, being grateful for all that we have each day. This is an opportunity for us to remember never take life for granted, which we all can do. We should not require a holiday to remember these important values, but it is nice to have moments that allow us each to reflect on the importance of giving and love. Let’s face it. We are not perfect, don’t have perfect lives or marriages (those that claim they are or do I can see your nose growing from here), but what we can do is strive to better at who we are.  I am looking forward to celebrating life over the next couple of months approaching 2013 with enhanced perspectives.

Over the past week we have been integrating Halloween festivities. I am really bummed that we were not able to make it to the Irvine Great Park this year…AGAIN. It only falls on ONE day in October and it just so happened that particular weekend was cloudy, rainy, and the boys were in the middle of being sick. We just decided to stay in and curl up on the couch, and my little guy Zachy needed that too.  Here is hoping we can make it there in October 2013. Wink Wink. The Fall Harvest that occurs at the Great Park has many Fall/Halloween related activities, a huge pumpkin patch, games, you name it. We decided not to go to the Irvine Railroad/OC Zoo last weekend because the crowd is quite LARGE the weekend of a holiday, and well we wanted to keep this trip fairly quiet. We took the boys to this quaint little pumpkin patch 10 minutes from our house, which was perfect, and it gave the boys a chance to pick out their own pumpkins.  That is all that we wanted. They had a bouncy gym but of course it was getting close to lunch time and had other errands to run. Sigh…I know. In any event, the boys had fun---that is all that matters at the end of the day.  Since we got hit with Santa Ana winds that bring really warm temperatures, we waited to carve the pumpkins until it was closer to Halloween otherwise the pumpkins get gross.

We had Cheyenne  carve the pumpkins (sorry no pics) with the boys on Monday and then the boys decided to add some Halloween stickers for some final touches. They had a blast and were so excited to show us their creations when we got home from work. I love how excited they get. Jack especially gets REALLY excited that he has to catch his breath when he starts to talk. He puts his hand on your shoulder and says, Mommy wait, Mommy wait, and then he begins telling you this long story and he gives you all the right expressions. LOL. I really love this age. Last week Cheyenne bought the boys smaller pumpkins and instead of carving them they were able to paint them…of course they had a blast. The same week Steve’s mom came over to work on a Halloween craft project…spiders! We have them hanging all over the house, but it is perfect because we can add them to our bin of Halloween decorations!

 On Tuesday Cheyenne took the boys to the San Clemente Library as they had a Halloween event for an hour. They were able to dress up in their costumes for the first time, and they had a lot of fun, with the exception of when everyone had to sing. The boys are not fans of singing in a group and they give you the expression as if they are way too cool for singing. LOL. Then they got a bag of candy and were able to run around outside with the other children.

On Wednesday, Cheyenne took the boys to the mall so they could visit the stores, getting ready for our neighborhood Trick or Treating event! I think that might have put them over the top with Halloween activities. Steve and I got home about 5ish to get ready and the boys were running around playing having a good time. It was time to get ready and Jack was on board but Zach I think had enough of the hat, having to take pictures, etc. Eventually he made Mommy happy and got ready to go. The goal of snapping a brotherly photo in their costumes did not work in my favor. This is part of age 3 ½ that I dislike because now any sign of Kodak moments are entirely out the window OR you have like 1 minute so you better be quick with the button. I was able to get Jack to do this by saying, you cannot go trick or treating until….HA, it worked. In any event things will never ever go our way all the time. We started off visiting our neighbors and then eventually came home to take a break. The boys were more interested in passing out candy, but then decided to venture back out, so we did. Jack remembers the scary man from last year and wanted to go see him. Zach did not agree with his brother, so he just walked with me holding my hand. We made it around to the other houses and even stopped to look at the spooky houses decorated like haunted houses. There was a moment when Steve and I laughed hysterically. Jack touched a Skeleton that was sitting on a bush and once you touch the head it lights up and makes this spooky sound. Jack jumps back with a deer in headlights look, put his hand on his chest and screamed like a girl. HA, I have tears in my eyes just typing this -- it was too funny. I am happy he is fine, but Mr. ADAMANT I WANT TO SEE SCARY MAN screaming like a girl…was taken back. We were home fairly early as I think they were pooped from the whole day. The boys even slept in post Halloween Day! Here are some pics and videos of the boys from over the past week and dressed up as their favorite monkey…Curious George.

KICKING OFF HALLOWEEN FESTIVITIES

Craft project...cute little spider

Zach

Jack

Z and J, cutest little ghosts EVER

Z and J at the pumpkin patch

Zach being goofy

Going to pay...

Jack is sweet and I love that they love each other

Purchased pumpkins off to the car

We were even able to visit with Cousin Ryan...all enjoying Mickey Mouse Club House before bedtime.

SAN CLEMENT LIBRARY HALLOWEEN EVENT



HA..this one does not need a caption...



LOL..too cool for music! (Jack with the hat, Zach without - shocking)



Smiles...must mean the music ended.

Zach taking care of his bro

My little monkeys

My favorite!

MISSION VIEJO MALL TRICK OR TREATING

Posing for Mommy, Jack and Zach

Jackson

Zachary

SAN CLEMENTE T&T 2012

Zach and Jack, horsing around

Zach

Here we go, first stop at Bob's house

Zach...checking out his candy

People go all out passing out candy. This house put out starbucks coffee and water.

Off to see Bruce

Pondo

Evan passing out candy to Jack and Zach

Our pumpkins!

VIDEOS OF OUR BOYS

First stop -- AND I thought I stopped recording towards the end so pay no attention to the sideway video and shots of shoes you will eventually see :)

Visting with Bruce!

Acting like Monkeys :)

Until next time!