Happy Halloween! My 12 year old neighbor Rachel and I put together a Halloween Block party today. It turned out great. My kids loved having a bounce house to play in all day. So did all the other neighborhood kids. And the weather was perfect for sitting out and visiting with great neighbors. Here are a few photos from the day.
Dr. Annie is trying to look happy after being in a grumpy mood.
Little ladybug Lauren got a cute ladybug painted on her cheek.
My bride girl Sabrina was having fun taking care of the little kids and playing in the bounce house.
We had a pot luck dinner this evening. It was well attended with 10 of the 15 houses in our development participating.
The other night was our ward trunk of treat. Here is a seriously serious photo of all of us dressed in our costumes for the event. It was fun even though my tummy hurt and I felt crummy. 
We haven't had too many trick or treaters tonight. We live too out of the way for people to bother coming up for only 10 houses. One thought hit me that night of the trunk or treat though. I watched as all the one year olds came to me to trick or treat. That is when Halloween becomes magical for a kid is at one year old.
Suddenly, you can walk up to people and they just give you candy. All you have to do is say "thank you." I think all my kids have learned to say "thank you" on Halloween. They watch the first few houses and then by the 5th house they are all ready to hold out their bag and say "thank you!" I missed having my own one year old that night to teach how to trick or treat. I missed hearing what her little thank you would have sounded like. But I enjoyed seeing so many others her age waddling around the parking lot in wonder and awe.
Life goes on and children learn and grow. My little one is learning and growing in ways I can only imagine.
10 comments:
Glad you enjoyed yourself. It looks like you had a great time!
You all look great. You are teaching me about grief and it's something I need to learn. My mother died in January of 1993 and sometimes I REALLY REALLY miss her and wish I could at least feel like she's still aware of what I'm doing. I guess it just never goes away completely and that's OK. I made a book for my sister's wedding called Memories of Our Mother. My sister was just 9 when Mom died and she can't really remember her that much.
Anyway, this blog is about you, not me, but I wanted to let you know that I'm reading it and I'm still working through grief, though it's different than losing a child, it's still grief. Thank-you for your example.
Hello Stephanie,
I've been a silent stalker now for awhile. I was told about your blog from my sister in law and started reading it about a month ago, I started from the beginning and have read it all the way though. I'm the mom, of 3 little girls so it's taken me awhile.
I just wanted to say, that I think you are, truly, an amazing person. You are one of the strongest people I've ever met and I am so very deeply sorry for your loss, I can't even begin to imagine the pain, I cry all the time just reading your blog and imagining your journey. You really amaze me.
You are such an inspiration, your total and complete belief in your faith is such an amazing thing. I was brought up without religion and find myself wondering where I would turn to if something like this happened to me. I am truly in awe of you.
I also wanted to congratulate you on your pregnancy and I hope you're feeling better soon.
~Amanda
That block party looks like it was a lot of fun. What a great way to spend Halloween.
Look at you! Host a block party, post a blog entry, and oh, be sick with nausea, too! All in one day! You are amazing! The party was a huge success- I hope it becomes an annual event for our little neighborhood. Thank you for bringing us all together again.
Thanks for the block party! It turned out great. Rachel had such a great time. Thank you for involving her. You are the BEST! Thanks for your awesome example to her....and me!
Jan
Wow you are amazing Stephanie! Sick and still planning parties. I'm impressed. I am sure that Halloween was bitter-sweet for you. I am so impressed by your attitude though. Thanks for the wonderful example.
Great costumes. I love how everyone comes together to have a Great time.
Halloween is so much more fun with kids. My little one really got it at two. He would go to the door and say, "More treats, please?!"
All of you looked great. Love the costumes. Your neighborhood block party looked super fun. Wish our block parties were that much of a success.
Post a Comment