Halloween

Prep for Halloween this year was full of contingencies and lots of tentative planning. We have spent Halloween with the Brinks for at least 5 years and this year we wanted to do the same, but anytime we talked about it there was an understanding that it all depended on baby Pumpkin. Her due date didn't seem to make any difference to our little Johanna so we were able to do all of the normal Halloween activities.

We also had hurricane Sandy come through 2 days before Halloween, so instead of making trips for last minute costume needs we were hunkered down in the house, cleaning up water and hoping Johanna didn't try for the "most dramatic delivery" story. We were blessed to have power throughout and enjoyed having the girls home from school. We used to time to carve pumpkins and hang out together.

The little girls were nervous that school would be closed on Halloween and they wouldn't get to have parties and do the parade but everything worked out and the weather was pretty nice. Jim and I went up to school to see Bridget and Megan in the parade. I put on a bumble bee costume to add to the festivities. Bridget was all smiles - so thrilled to see us. Megan too enjoyed the whole afternoon but Megan got off the bus in tears because she lost the Black Widow  icon that velcroed to her belt. Immediately Rachael came to the rescue and offered her icon from her Black Widow costume.

Emma meanwhile was still working on her Mockingjay costume in the basement gluing feathers and cutting fabric. So last minute, but we had just enough time to do some cool eye makeup and send her off to her friend's house. Rachael struggled to find shoes to go with her costume and was torn with disappointment in her Black Widow costume and really wanting to be a part of trick or treating. The smell of sugar won out.

The Brinks came over and so did the Krispins from across the street. I was so happy to have Emma and her girl friends come to our house for trick or treating before the group headed out, so she could see everyone and they could see her. Jim then lead our happy crew out for trick or treating and I stayed home to hand out candy. It was fun to see all of the neighborhood kids.

The holiday did not disappoint.