A new tradition...

I have been wanting to take my 2 crazy kids to my Alma Mater's Homecoming since they were born. I was really involved on campus and have such great memories. Since it is in October, it has usually conflicted with Pumpkin's birthday or Halloween. This year, it was on the 30th! :) The kids were old enough for me to handle in the big crowds without Hubby. We stopped for sandwiches on the way, found a spot and settled in. We may have gotten there a little too early, but lesson learned! They changed the parade route this year, so even though we thought we were at the beginning, we were at the end. All that meant was that the floats had given away most of their candy....and the rest was snatched up by some "lovely" children next to us!

Someone saw me taking pictures of the kids and offered to take one. I could not resist....even though I don't like handing my camera over to anyone!

They had a bunch of activities for the kids. We did not even make it over to the main kids zone. I really am not sure what kind of masks these were, but they were really cute. The kids loved coloring them. We spent some of the time at an alumni tent for a group I used to be in. It was fun seeing some old friends.

One of the highlights for Critter was seeing this Spiderman pumpkin. He even asked to have his picture taken with it! It was really cute. He has discovered the world of superheros and can not get enough. Not sure how he discovered them since we don't watch the shows....it is still cute :)

I have a tendency to want to spoil the kids. How could I resist the Sparky Horns! They are so cute in them. But...after no nap and being exhausted, Critter kept getting frustrated that they would not stay on his head well. Since he has gotten a haircut they fit much better though! :)

They were promoting this live show, and the kids wanted a picture with the backdrop. Critter almost knocked it over trying to sit with them though!

It was a really fun time. I am so glad I got to take the kids. I really hope we can do it again next year. This is part of the thing I love about motherhood, the great experiences I can give my children. The simple act of taking them to a parade can help create a lifelong memory. I love that my kids love to be active like me. Some days I feel like we just don't stop, but I look back on the pictures and realize all the amazing things we have done. I just love this stuff! :)

A fun sugar filled day...

It was such a fun Halloween this year! Critter really got into it for the first time. It was quite a process to get him to pick a costume. For about a month he changed his mind every time you asked him. Once Pumpkin made up her mind, it was a little easier for him. So...I present Tinker-belle and Captain-Hook!

We met up with friends at one of their homes for a pot luck dinner and then going around their neighborhood. It was quite a crowd....8 kids and even more adults!

Yes....it is a family picture! :) We have so few of these, even if Critter is more interested in the juice it doesn't matter to me. It is all 4 of us! :)

We had such a fun time. We are one of those families who let the kids have a few pieces that night and then 1 or 2 pieces a day after that. We did feel really bad for Pumpkin though, when we went through her bag at the end of the night there must have been 7 or 8 houses who gave her empty wrappers ;) I loved seeing the pure joy on the kids faces this year. They got to be with some dear friends, get candy, and have fun. Hubby and i got to do the same! It was the best Halloween we have had in a long time...