Halloween Parties

As a teacher, one of my least favorite days of the school year is the Halloween Party.  Kids come barreling into school with 5 times the normal energy and excitement, they ask incessantly when the festivities are going to start, and you have 20 kids to dress in costumes, make-up and accessories.

Friday was Mackenzie and Caleb's Halloween parties at school.  I have to say, I kinda felt a little like the kids in my own classroom, excited to see my kids in their school environment, parading happily in their costumes and enjoying their party. Because I couldn't be at both parties at the same time, Nana volunteered ok, I volunteered Nana to attend Caleb's party, while I attended Mackenzie's first.  Since this is our first time at a daycare center, I wasn't sure what to expect.  I have to say, they totally exceeded my expectations.  Both parties were well organized, thoughtfully planned, and kid-centered. The kids were all very well behaved and polite. 

The parties started off with a costume parade.  I about fell over when I saw that Caleb was actually in his costume you go Nana!   He looked so big marching through the halls with his little giraffe tail swaying happily back and forth. The kids then headed outside to "trunk or treat" and then returned to their classrooms for their party.  Mackenzie's class, along with the Kindergarten class took a walking fieldtrip to local businesses down the street to trick-or-treat.  I don't know who had more fun, the kids or the workers passing out candy.  It was really sweet and extra special b/c Daddy surprised us and was waiting on the sidewalk before we made it to the building. 

Here are some pics, many courtesy of Nana, from their Halloween parade and party.

                                                    Mackenzie's class parade:

"Rapunzel" heading down to the parade on the 1st floor

Walking field trip to trick or treat at local businesses

Daddy's here!  Best pic of the day!

Trick-or-treating with Mommy and Daddy

joyfully skipping into local business for candy

trick-or-treat!

so proud to have Daddy with her!

headed out for more candy...

...and back at school....to trunk-or-treat

Caleb's class parade:

can you spot the ridiculously cute giraffe (pun intended)?

trunk-or-treat (hard to see him, but I took this as we headed out on our walking field trip with Kenzie's class)

taking a break from trunk-or-treating to pose for Nana

Party time in the Pre-K Class!

Snack time....wouldn't you know my child ate her fruit salad before ANYTHING else...and yes, she requested that I bring that to her party....of all things....ha!

Posing with friends! 

Caleb's Class Party!

Loving snack time

and the purple frosted cupcakes were his favorite (can someone please tell me why someone would donate purple frosted cupcakes to kids under 2 in their costumes...i'm just sayin')

Nana and the Parents at Caleb's class party (Nana, you are the BEST!)

nope, not spoiled one bit.  Hitting up the cocktail waitress for a cool drink. Being a giraffe is hard work!

Hanging with Nana

Finally, out of that hot costume and ready to play

Hanging in Kenzie's class before heading home.  Caleb loved being in there and as you can see, Kenzie tackeld him with a big bear hug when he entered! 

Mr. Big Shot

Nana and Kenzie

Our family + an astronaut

What a special day to spend together as a family.  We are so fortunate for the wonderful staff that love on and care for our children. Caleb's teachers (weeks ago) even commented that they know they aren't supposed to have favorites, but that he is theirs' and they pick him up and cuddle him whenever they can! So fun to watch our children happily interact with their friends...we've come a long way from their very first drop off!

When the Buzzard is away....

...the family will play! 

While Jeremy was hitting up the casino's in Vegas and relaxing poolside on a "guy's trip"  I took the kids to Boo at the Zoo with some girlfriends and their kids.  So maybe I didn't get to be feet away from the infamous Kardashian clan at a swanky night club, but I did get to spend my day with some wild animals...and I will let you decide if I am referring to my children or the actual animals at the zoo.

It was my first time to go and I cannot believe we have not done it before!  The zoo was decked out in fall decor, there were "characters" for kids to meet and get their pictures withwho I might have accidently spilled my entire iced cappucino on while trying to manage a stroller, 2 kids and a camera, candy stations where the kids could trick-or-treat and of course lots of animals to see!  The weather was in the mid 60's and the kids loved spending the day outside with good friends!

Ready to trick-or-treat at the zoo.  Caleb was all smiles before "tricking" him into his costume!

...and he was definitely not all smiles meeting these oversized characters.

My sweet Rapunzel.  Love her blonde wig!

My wild giraffe!

 the boys...

Pretty princesses

the whole gang

Brave princess petting a snake!

Checking out the starfish

Fun at the playground

Joshua and Laura

Ian, Emily and Rachel

Me and the kids

And to end the weekend, we met my parents and grandma for lunch.  I'm sure the entire Retirement Village was excited when we left and the quiet and calm atmosphere returned.  :)

However, I know Monty wouldn't have traded those special moments for anything else in the World.