Happy Halloween!

from the Smith family!

Looking back, we had quite a jam-packed Halloween week. As usual, Ava had trouble choosing just one costume, so she fluctuated back and forth between Sleeping Beauty and a ballerina for our various activities. Hudson was content with his adorable little pumpkin costume (selected by Ava, back when she considered being Cinderella and thought they could match). Erik even surprised me by volunteering to wear his authentic Notre Dame leatherhead helmet, thereby dressing as a Notre Dame football player. And me? Well, I first planned to dress as a harried mom (robe, slipper, teased hair, etc.), but according to my daughter, That’s not pretty! You need a pretty costume! So I drew inspiration from my kitchen and created a last-minute costume as Rachael Ray, my favorite cook! I wore an apron and a black wig and carried a wooden spoon, a bottle of EVOO, and a Rachael Ray cookbook to flash whenever no one recognized me.

Here’s a rundown of our Halloween:

1. We began our festivities with a Halloween party at The Gaslight (my favorite pizza place, remember) last Tuesday night. Erik had a game that night, so my aunt Sandy watched Hudson while Ava and I attended along with my parents. We enjoyed a pizza buffet and a magic show while there.

2. On Thursday night (after her usual music class), Ava was off to the Huntingburg Public Library for a “haunted” house where fairy tales came to life! Once again, Erik had a game, so my aunt Sandy and aunt Jenny entertained Hudson while Ava and I braved the spooks at the library. She LOVED it, although there was a witch that frazzled her a bit. According to Ava, She got up in my face too much! Which was absolutely true. She loomed so close you could practically smell the onions on her breath!

3. Finally, our fun culminated in the Halloween party my parents throw every year at their house. As usual, we had excellent food, breathtaking costumes, and more tricks and treats than ever. In fact, as we drove away after 10:00 with both kids still awake, Ava informed us that it was the best party she’d ever been to in her whole life. Yeah, it was that fun.

P.S. Thanks again to everyone who blessed my family, particularly my children, with treats and love.

P.S.S. I forgot my camera today, so I will upload pics tomorrow!