We have had a full day of festivities around here, so get ready!

We started this morning with Paige's "SILLY HAT PARADE" at school. Her class has been talking about it all month. Each child had to create a silly hat at home and bring it for the parade. Paige had her mind set on having an elephant hat...not sure why, but I try to follow her lead on these things! My camera didn't cooperate during the parade, but here are a few shots I was able to get...

She was so excited!!! I tried to upload a video of the kids doing one of her favorite songs. Not sure if it worked. This is "5 Little Pumpkins Sitting on the Gate!"

While Nathan was napping, we decided it was "now or never" to carve our pumpkin. True to form...Paige simply want to watch and "not get messy!"

I had it all worked out in my mind...when Nathan wakes up from his nap we will get both kids dressed in their costumes, go outside for a few adorably perfect pictures, then head out for a night on the town! When will I learn that whenever something like this is so perfectly laid out in my mind, it will NEVER go as I had thought? Nathan woke up grumpy, then his sister whacked him with her princess wand...more anger. Then he saw the pumpkin out front and wanted to be outside. Needless to say, the costume and cute pictures were the two things farthest from his mind. I forced it on him and we did what we could...You must know that although he appears content, he screamed for 20 minutes straight...screamed in a way our neighbors probably wondered if they should call the authorities.
Then it was off to "Market Commons" for Trick-or-Treating with the cousins! This worked out so nicely! Most of the shops had baskets of candy to hand out, they had a DJ playing music, there was a photographer there taking free pictures...nice family environment!Paige and Emma were both "Cinderella"...so was her cousin Meghan at home in NY!! There is a princess in every little girl, I guess! If you notice...NO NATHAN!! I figured he may look a little like the odd-man-out.

He had a great time, even without the costume!!

Our final stop was at Nanny and Papa's church for their annual "Trunk-or-Treat." I truly believe Paige could still have candy in her basket when it comes time to do this again next year! There is a simple lesson that I find myself re-learning EVERY day...despite the circumstances of daily life (a child who wants nothing to do with the preconceived plans I have in my mind, unemployment, someone spilling food on my just-mopped kitchen floor)...what matters most is that we have each other, we are healthy and we are loved. Thankful today for an amazing family...here in my home...those down the road...and those lots of miles away who were greatly missed today (and every day!!!)!!!!