Nope. Not even one. I did happen to get a few on my phone camera… but that’s where they’ll stay until I figure out how to magically get them onto my blog. Any hints out there? Yes, I probably have users manual somewhere, but I have no idea where that may be. So until then, you’ll just have to use your imaginations.

 We had a long eventful Halloween holiday, and I can’t say how glad I am that the whole thing is over. I like candy and dressing up as much as the next girl, but really, to me Halloween is the devil’s holiday and I’ve not much good to say about it. That said, the kids looked adorable in their costumes. Neils was still waffling the day before Halloween between a coyote (I kept telling him I couldn’t find a coyote costume and had no idea how to make one and if he wanted one he’d have to brainstorm with Dad, but he kept bringing it up. With the wrong person.), and a black cat. I volleyed hard for the cat (I’ve done that before and I even had a mask I’d made for art in his classroom that he thought was really cool), and I thought I’d won, so even bought a hooded sweatshirt for it, but in the end he ditched all options and went as a soldier, wearing his new camo PJs, courtesy of Grandma Lovelady, and an army helmet from the dress-up bucket. Burke insisted that he wanted to be one of the Incredibles, even though the costume was too big, but at the last minute insisted that he wear Keane’s gorilla costume (that thing has gotten SO much wear, it’s awesome!). Fortunately I was babysitting a friend’s kids so she could help out with the class party, and was able to borrow an awesome, furry green monster costume (complete with antennae and 3 eyes on top of his hooded head) for Keane. It was a little snug, but they were glad someone was able to wear it since their little guy screamed bloody murder when they tried to get him to wear it. I ended up going to our ward Trunk or Treat (why do we even have those?) solo, since I was responsible for one of the activities as a primary teacher, but Neils was very sick. Much worse than at his birthday party. I could have brought the two little ones, but I figured it would have been really hard to keep them corralled in a little room while all kinds of fun was going on elsewhere. So, I went solo. And, as usual, no one talked to me, and acted as though I were crazy when I tried to join in or strike up a conversation. I usually connect really well with people, so this is totally bizzarre for me. I’m not sure what to think about it.

 Then there was the whole drama with Neils’ school-wide party. They’ve been advertising this since October 1st, with no mention of any kind of fee, and they took a half day off school for the silly thing– that in and of itself I wasn’t pleased about– then a week before the event they unceremoniously drop a permission slip and a $5 fee per child in our laps to cover the cost of the bounce house and hay ride, which according to the flyer were only available to 2nd graders and up. The rest of the activities were all parent-sponsored. Now, the $5 wasn’t the real issue (to me, anyway… to parents who had already spent $30+ decorating their cars and buying candy for the trunk or treat portion or organizing games and crafts for the class parties, it was a slap in the face). It was the way it was handled. And ten out of the 15 parents of kids in Neils’ class alone refused to pay for it. Then they threatened that the kids wouldn’t get to participate at all (it’s during school hours AT the school) without the slips and fee. In the end we all paid anyway after writing letters to the school expressing our distaste for the way things were handled, and all grades were allowed to participate, just the Spooky Gym was reserved for 2nd graders and up. I just didn’t think it was fair for Neils to be singled out and left out over a political issue he didn’t even understand and my stubborn nature. So, he had a great time, enjoyed all the different activities, my friend Sara ROCKED the class party with all kinds of great activities, and the beanbag toss pumpkin Conan made was a huge hit. We got plenty of candy, we were told initially that siblings were welcome to come and trunk or treat, so we did, or at least Burke did. Keane was totally asleep! 

 Afterwards  was the very best part. We went over to the home of one of my dear friends, and had our own little fall festival celebrating all that’s good about the season. We roasted hot dogs over a campfire, sipped hot cider, ate delicious warm butternut squash soup (I’ll post the recipe if anyone’s interested), popcorn balls, and the fresh fall smells, and let the kids enjoy running around in the autumn leaves. It was so nourishing to be there. Once it got dark we went for a nature hike in their woods. I believe their lot is about 7 acres, almost entirely wooded, that backs up to the Grand River. It is heaven. We were pulling little ones in wagons, letting the big kids feel big carrying lanterns and flashlights, and theoretically looking for wlidlife… though I can’t think of a single living woodland creature that would be hanging out anywhere within lamp’s distance of a train of 14 tromping people. We went "trick or treating" at their neighbor’s home back there, a very sweet older woman who was happy to see the children even if they weren’t wearing their costumes anymore. We spent the rest of the evening chatting, sipping more cider, eating Kate’s delicious pumpkin rolls, and just enjoying the fall afterglow. We’ve decided we’ve started a new tradition for Halloween.