More Halloween Fun!

Halloween only comes once a year so we really do need to enjoy it as much as possible! As I posted earlier, I took the kids to the Denver Children's Museum on Friday evening. Saturday was Louisville's Monster Dash - a race, trick or treating, goodies . . . I was at a 40th birthday party so Don took the kids. I asked him to take a picture and this is what he got:

 Both kids were Mario as it was a bit cold outside . . . not that you could really tell! And no action shots in town :(
Well, on to Sunday and my mother's group Monster Bash!

Tasi was Princess Peach again, with pink leggins this time. The event was held at a gym so there was a bouncy castle, cakewalk, and carnival type games.

We ran into some friends, ate way too many sweets, and had a blast!

Yesterday we had a big playdate with pumpkin cupcakes, but today, the finale, was the best :) Makoa's school goes on a parade through downtown, with candy bags, shopkeepers open early to see the kids, parents and people in the community watch the few hundred kids walk through town, and the police direct traffic. Maybe we actually live in Mayberry!

 Tasi was Mario again, I love how these hats turned out! And they are fleece so super comfy.

 The parade

 followed by a class party with crafts, snacks, and games.

I was exhausted, but we rallied for our 6 o'clock trick or treating in the neighborhood. Don dressed up too and helped the kids get into the mood (actually killing time until it would be socially acceptable to knock on doors!)

 Then we went and picked up our neighbors, 1.5 year old twins that the kids ADORE!

 My camera wasn't working very well but I wanted to have a picture with the kids. Don couldn't get the flash on with his gloves, Tasi is shoving a glow stick in my face, and Makoa is hiding behind me . . . next year I will be in the Halloween photos!

Happy Halloween everyone, hope you are having as much fun as we are!!

Rock Creek Farms

I love Halloween! It was one of my moms favorite holidays and growing up it was always a fun time to dress up and get candy, and seemed to be the beginning of that magical holiday season leading up to Christmas and New Years. The last 5 years we have been celebrating in Australia. As an American holiday, we always threw a party, but there wasn't much trick or treating and certainly no pumpkin patches. This year I am making up for it and we have so many Halloween related plans it is ridiculous! Last weekend I drug the family to the Rock Creek Farms Pumpkin Patch. 

It is very large and you have to drive to each section of the farm. First stop was the corn maze, a term I use lightly as there were 4 mazes to choose from the lengths varying from .6 to 3.8 miles. Holy cow! For some addition energy Don got himself a caramel apple.

And Tasi helped by pointing out all the corn.

 We felt a bit like tourists - see all the corn and the mountains?!

 We made it through 2 mazes (the second with the help of a map) and were ready to take a picture with the Halloween cat and move on.

 In the second area you could pick your own pumpkin, but we didn't need one, so we headed to the bouncy castle/animal area where their was a bale maze you could run on

 And more of those picture stands.

Isn't Halloween time fun?!

Cottonwood Farms

On Thursdays Makoa's school finishes at 10:50 but we don't pick up Tasiana from preschool until 3, so we have Mommy and Makoa's afternoons! Last week we went to the Cottonwood Farms Pumpkin Patch.


We did pick a pumpkin, but there were so many other fun things to do too. Like go through the hay bale maze . . . oops dead end!

Look at tractors

 
Take pictures by those stand thingies where you stick your head through.

  

Attempt the very hard corn maze.

 And pull and be pulled on a red wagon.

 I don't remember pumpkin patches like these when I was a kid, but it sure was fun to enjoy this one as an adult!

Snow Days

There was one day in September where it kinda snowed. The kids were excited to see some white out the window and on the way to schoold Makoa tasted it 

 But wasn't too sure about the flavor!

I know, sort of funny that I bring my camera on the way to school on our first 'snow day' but my car and the playground had some white on them!

 

 But then this week we had our first REAL snow day. When my Wednesday evening class in Boulder finished at 8, it was snowing. Then we woke in the morning and had to put on snow pants as we walk through the field at school to get to Makoa's classroom.

 And the swings and my house look a little different!

 Makoa had the proper gear (snow boots and mittens from REI, snow pants from the thrift store, and last years coat from Auntie B in Alaska) and was so excited to play in the snow. (Not so bad when you aren't freezing your tushie off!) We sledded after school at our friend's house, had snow ball fights, and built half a snowman with daddy, not a bad day at all :)

Trick or Treat

Today I brought the kids to the Denver Children's Museum Halloween festivities. I made their costumes this year (actually 2 sets each) and they chose and got ready at home.

Makoa is Mario and Tasiana is Princess Peach! Don't worry I will take better pictures of their costumes soon! You can kind of see in the pic below the tutu I made to go over the pink satin dress with a big blue jewel and the dollar store crown: 

The museum had several booths set up for the kids to go trick or treating, and then had its usual fun learning experiences. The kids loved playing in the Newton exhibit with balls:

And also climbing in the play area:

Don't you just love that her beautiful dress is paired with pink snow boots?! The snow pics are coming in the next post!!

We had a great time and even snagged a cute pose at the end (outside where it was 35 degrees and Tasi would not let me put on her sweater).

I have a whole weekend of fun Halloween activities so stay tuned :)