"Let's Pretend Day"

I have been able to pretty much avoid the whole subject of Halloween for four years, but with the kids getting older and becoming much more aware of the world around them, this was the first year that we really had to address it.
I am not a fan of Halloween for many reasons, and it is a challenge to balance between wanting to just shelter them from everything unsafe, scary, inappropriate, etc. and allowing them to have a full and happy childhood, filled with positive memories.
I am very grateful, once again, for JT's preschool, who used the opportunity to teach the kids about their imaginations and pretending this week, and then have a "Let's Pretend Day", where they could dress up.
JT was so excited that we found an Obi Won Kenobi costume, and he looked so cute! Lexie dressed up as a pumpkin and I think she makes the perfect one, with her red ponytail as her little pumpkin top! Ridge looked cool in his Giants sweatsuit and hat, he was just a "baseball dude."
Our church was having a Pumpkin Patch Bash, and I think it is awesome that many churches have this type of outreach now, to provide a safer and more wholesome alternative.
I decided to stay home with the kids instead of going anywhere this year. Jared was working late, so we decided to have a movie and treat night. They were so tired by late afternoon, that I can't imagine trying to have taken them anywhere. It worked out perfect, and I think that they had a very fun day with happy memories - Yay!


JT's class had a parade, sang some songs, and "Trick-or-Treated" throughout the church. I was mostly using the video camera, so I didn't get many pictures. They did a super job!


GrammaNeani's office is very close to JT's school, so we surprised her with a visit to check out the costumes. We also got to visit with Nana at her house for a little bit in the afternoon.


We also visited Daddy at his work. It was a lot of fun, everyone was so nice as usual - and they had a lot of sweets to share!