A Creepy Photo. . .

. . . for a creepy day.
Happy Halloween!

(Yes, this is as creepy as I get. ;))

The Trunk-or-Treat Post

Halloween isn't my favorite holiday. I don't like most Halloween decorations (unless they're more "harvest" than "creepy"), and part of my humbug attitude is because of the lack of meaning it has. It's ultimately about scary things, dressing up weird, and eating a bunch of candy. Three things that I don't particularly like. (Unless Reese's peanut butter cups are involved, I'd much rather scarf a dozen cookies.) I like having the excuse of not wanting to scare my kids so I don't have to do anything scary. I hate being scared and my tolerance for scary places/people/movies is 0. (Sixth Sense scared the bejeebies out of me.)

Having little ones to dress up makes it a bit more fun, though. This year it was all about finding costume ideas that were cheap, easy, and didn't require any sewing. After a trip to the thrift store and some hot glue, we became Mr. and Mrs. Perry-farmers with our little crops, tomato and peas.

(Side note: Dressing my kids up as food wasn't a reflection of my obsession with cooking. I promise.)

So like everyone in Mormon blogland, after going to the pumpkin patch, we went to the trunk-or-treat at the church.

Commentary on the overalls: I used to have a pair of khaki overalls I wore when I was at Ricks College (I don't think they were off limits then. Neither were flip flops. And it was still called Ricks. I'm sorta old.) I got rid of them a couple of years ago because I didn't think I'd have any use for them. Unfortunately I did. (That always happens, doesn't it?) The only pair of overalls that wasn't a dress or reeking of acid wash at the thrift store were these babies. They were a big too snug for me, so Steve did the honors. (code for: no way am I wearing these, YOU wear them, honey!)

Like last year they had games for the kids and a coloring table. Check out Miss Ivy. . .

That's right, she colors now. More on that later.

And because I'm in a comparison-with-last-year mood, here we have Sophie and best bud, Asher during last year's party:

This year they were Mario and a tomato:

Then it was candy time.

Ivy Shakes It

Yes, she's little. I'm surprised her (barely) size 2 feet can support her wicked moves. She hasn't fallen yet!

Pumpkin Patches + Ivy's Encounter With a Goat

Off we went again to the pumpkin "patch". This time we went even further away from an actual pumpkin patch. See the chain-link fence? We were right in the city. The haystacks are supposed to convince you otherwise.

This pumpkin patch had some farm animals, though, which was cool for the kids. Especially Ivy. I don't think she'd been that close to an animal that wasn't a cat.

Our little family has grown since last year, so I thought it would be fun to compare.

Pumpkin Patch 2008 - Somewhat resembles a patch. Look, there's even a cornfield right next door. And Ivy's still in the oven. (Oh, my favorite purse! Unfortunately I had to toss it several months ago due to an infestation of MOLD from a leaky sippy cup. Gross, I know.)

Pumpkin Patch 2009 #1 - No corn fields, posed under the butt of a giant inflatable black cat. Oh, and there's Ivy, fresh from a nap. Sophie just woke up, too, and her hair is looking extra fuzzy in the sun.

Pumpkin Patch 2009 #2 - No cat butt or glare, but add a chain link fence, actual pumpkins, and the sun in our faces.

Where ever we are next year, I'd like to find an actual pumpkin patch where you can pick them off the vines. Is there such a thing?

Oh yeah, it's called planting a garden. :)

According to Sophie

This is a "birthday cake candle". . .

A bug catcher doubles as a crayon container. And it looks a lot like a gallon of milk. I've found it in the fridge on several occasions . . .

By the way, those containers sitting under the crayons are the coolest things ever. They're called Glasslock storage containers. They're glass on the bottom, but have plastic lids with a silicone seal that snap on and off, so they're spill-proof. They can go in the microwave and the dishwasher. I got a set at Costco, which is the cheapest I've seen them.

And this is a "cupcake moon" . . .

So is this one . . .

Basically any moon is a "cupcake moon". We have no idea where she came up with that. I don't even make cupcakes very often.

A few more of her latest things. . .

"It's too fit!!!" - When something is too tight or hard to get on, usually a shoe.

"What's that noisy?" - for "What's that noise?"

"Flamangoes" - Her new word for mangoes, after a couple of trips to the zoo.

Every time we leave to go somewhere, she has to pick a leaf off of either my basil or mint plant sitting by the door. Makes the car smell nice.

Oh, and one morning while we were eating breakfast she goes, "Daddy upstairs takin' shower." "Yep, he is," I said back to her. Then she goes, "Daddy put hairs in chin."

Yep, he does. And I really wish he'd stop doing that. :)

Sophie also lives and breathes for the little yogurt popsicles I make her. Even in October. I'll probably end up making them year-round. She loves smoothies, too . . .