Halloween 2011

I know the holidays are going to be hard without my mom to share them with. I know that. I didn’t expect Halloween to be hard though for some reason- I am not a huge fan of Halloween and we never did much with my parents for the holiday. Boy, was I wrong. I got through the actual day ok, but the leading up to and after were difficult. My “down in the dumps” feeling was probably made worse because of the crazy amounts of chocolate I eat every Halloween. That sugar crash sure didn’t help!

The kids had a great time though, as usual. We had a ton of costume choices at home this year so rather than the painstaking search and hunt for the perfect costume we decided to let the kids pick from what we already owned. I think they chose really cute costumes.

This one was mine when I was about 2 years older than Sammie. She can barely fit into it now so we thought we better dig it out this year. It’s a Korean dress my mother got when we lived in Japan when I was a girl. She looked great in it.

Tyler was Mr. Fantastic or “Stretch” as he would tell anyone who asked. Loved that it didn’t come with a mask.

Here’s a close up of the hair- the best part according to Tyler- we spray painted his hair white on the sides.

I couldn’t seem to get a good one of our Karate Kid by himself, but here’s a few groups pictures with Spencer trying to run off…

I went to the little kids school Halloween parade- super cute costumes this year:

As much as I could do without Halloween each year- this parade is a pretty cute way to celebrate it.

11/11/11 Party

 

We are having a little party around here tomorrow for 11/11/11.

It may or may not include-

An Uno Marathon

cup cakes with candles to “make a wish” because it’s 11/11/11- you know- like the clock?

You are #1 certificates for the kids- they love these.  It’s a chance for me to tell them how great they are in a formal way- earning a certificate an a little prize.

We will write a letter to a veteran and color a picture of a flag.  We’ll take these over to the local VFW later in the evening. 

I’ll take pictures of everything and post next week.  I also need to catch up on Halloween, seeing cousins, and a few park days to celebrate fall.

Have a great veterans day tomorrow- 11/11/11! 

Ronald

Tyler had two doctor’s appointments back to back (I try to do that when I can because they are 2 doors down from each other!) and we thought it would be fun to run through McDonald’s since he missed lunch at school.  Well, the drive through was so busy we went in and we saw this guy eating a salad with some buddies! 

Tyler got a signed picture.

 

 

Fun huh?

Favorite new hot chocolate recipe

Here’s the new fall favorite I adapted from this recipe on family fun.

Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate For A Crowd

Adapted from Family Fun Magazine
1 ½ cups water
12 oz white chocolate chips (I used Ghiradelli)
6 cups milk (whole or 2% is best)
2 (16 fl oz or 6 cups) pumpkin spice creamer (refrigerated section)  
a few dashes of salt

Combine water and chocolate chips in a large saucepan.  Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until chocolate is melted.  Bring mixture to a boil for 2 minutes then reduce heat to low.  Stir in milk and creamer.  Warm until heated through.   Can also heat through in the crock pot.

Measurements for serving 4.
½ cup water
2 oz  white choc. chips
1 ½ cups milk
1 ½ cups pumpkin spice creamer
dash of salt

I made this for a church pumpkin party so I don’t have pictures, but man it smells great in my crock pot.  The kids liked the giant pumpkin marshmallows I bought to go with it though!

Bat Cookies

I made bat cookies yesterday with the kids after school.  They turned out super cute and the kids all had a great time making and eating them!  The idea came from Kate over at Our best Bites. 

Aren’t they cute?  The kids just ate them still soft because they couldn’t wait for them to harden.  I couldn’t find almond bark at Schnucks so I just got chocolate chips.  I think the almond bark would have set up more quickly. 

 

 

All of them covered in chocolate.  Sammie is sad here because I told her she couldn’t have 3rds.  I have no idea where that kid puts it all!

Spencer snuck a cookie before it was dipped.  Doesn’t he look good?  He’s been eating well and looks healthier than he has in a while! 

I also fed missionaries from our church last night and made this recipe.  It’s a keeper in this house- egg/nut free, easy and so yummy!

Face Painting

I took the kids to the fire house on Saturday for an annual community party they host there, but wouldn’t wait in line for the face painting.  It was like an HOUR wait.  No way.  Not with 4 kids.  (We invited Madolyn, Sammie’s BFF from school to come with us)

So, today after school I face painted the kids.  I bought some face paint at Hobby Lobby today.  I think they turned out pretty cool.  Sammie’s is a little strange, but that is more because of the subject matter, not really my skills.  I have no idea how to draw a pizza on a face.

Here they are!

Tyler the super hero- green lantern inspired with matching ring:

Lydia the Zebra Princess:

Madolyn the kitty cat.  This takes a bit of imagination, but like I said- I’m not an artist. 

Sammie the Pizza.  No idea where this kid comes up with these things.

Group picture:

We’re big on hair around here…

 

Before:

 

 

 

After and a bit of a photo shoot:

 

I like this one of her with the bangs all down, but she doesn’t like the feel of them across her forehead anymore.  She wants to grow them out to be “sweepy”  whatever that means.

The back view:

 

I think she likes it!