Happy Halloweenie!

Our 7th annual Halloweenie (which we stole from my Uncle John) was a HUGE success!  We handed out around 195 hot dogs, running out around 8:15.  I guess the word is getting out.  We had some good friends come to help out, and of course Mom was there.

The Grouchy Ladybug - She really wasn't grouchy much, but I felt like I had to get a picture with the book in mind

 Old costume, but new grill and fancy tablecloth John earned at school by completing his reading log.  He was excited to use it.

 Sleeping Beauty

 Happy to have some candy.

 Optimus Prime - DISCLAIMER - we didn't make him wear the same costume 2 years in a row.  He insisted on it even when we suggested some other things he might want to be.  The mask was broken in a few places, se we decided that this year he was a battle-ravaged Optimus Prime.

 There's the happy ladybug.

 Our sweet neighbor Mrs. Tonya.  Last year the kids got the concept, but still moved fairly slowly between houses and weren't devastated when we stopped.  This year John was flying from house to house.  He finally got the concept of volume.  See Sleeping Beauty's glamorous slippers?  It wasn't raining, she just wanted to wear them.  A princess who is beautiful, yet still understands practicality and function.  Princess heels really would have slowed her down.

Ellie's first trick-or-treat.  Surprisingly, she picked up on the concept after just one try, at just under 18 months!  We had planned on giving her a piece of candy to keep her happy and pulling her along in the wagon while John and Eve ran up to doors.  She would have nothing of it!  She climbed out of the wagon and chased after them to go up to the door and say "treat" (trick, apparently, was not an option), and then "thank you!"  She was so darn cute when she said thank you, most times she got a second helping.  What a fun time!  Unfortunately for Eve, she snuck her bucket upstairs a few days later.  I was wondering what was behind all the quietness, so I went upstairs only to find everything pulled out and unwrapped with a bite missing here and there.  That was the end of her halloween candy, but John is still going strong.  I can't let this post finish without mentioning there was an empty place on our table this Halloweenie, and a sadness in our hearts. Our dear neighbor, Mr. Jerry, who always brought chili and helped out (and did so much more...a sweet sweet man and neighbor) passed away a few weeks ago.  He was so loving and generous toward the kids, and a great friend to talk to whenever we were outside.  We certainly missed him Halloween, and always.