Halloween from a Galaxy Far, Far Away

For the past week I have had this totally self-imposed rule hanging over my head. I'm pretty sure that Halloween pictures can't be posted after Thanksgiving, even though I completely made that up. I think it's a good thing I have these false deadlines, though, otherwise I might never post on my blog. (Poor grandparents!)

 

So, by the skin of my teeth I present: Halloween 2013. (Phew! I made it!)

 

Carving Pumpkins

 

The pumpkin gutting was attended by much more willing participants this year.

 This will turn into a delicious toasted snack later on. Yum!

 Benj carving his self-designed pumpkin with precision

 Benj & Talia both designed their own pumpkins this year. I was impressed with their creativity!

 Leila loves flowers so she and I worked together to create her design.

 

Church Fall Festival

 

As I mentioned in my last post, Star Wars' newest fans live at our house. Benj's latest interest never fails to infect his sisters so when Benj announced that he was going to be a Jedi (he ended up changing his mind, as you will see), Talia decided to be Padme, Leila wanted to be Princess Leia, and of course we had to make Channah an Ewok.

 

Ewok Channah (yes, Ewok...despite the monkey costume and the banana)

 Princess Lei(l)a

 Padme (very specifically NOT Queen Amidala)

 Darth Benj enjoying a banana

 The Whole Ensemble

Halloween Day

 

Sweet Siblings

 

"Somebody" does NOT like posing for pictures these days

We did go trick-or-treating Halloween night (sort of), but with the pouring down rain, four kids to dress in costumes, and various items to transport to our friends' house for dinner and trick-or-treating, I forgot the camera. :( Since it was pouring, cold, and windy we ended up going to a local church where the kids went from booth to booth in their gymnasium.

Summer Movie

I love looking back and thinking, "Wow, we had a fun summer!"

 

 

Leila's Birthday Extravaganza

Instead of a birthday party for Leila we chose to do a family activity this year. We try to do this about every other year. Since Leila is really into art and projects lately we decided to go to Paint Spot, a paint-your-own pottery studio. We had a blast!

Our first step was to pick out our pottery pieces. All of the kids decided to paint mugs. Next, we chose our colors. Thankfully they each had a very specific idea of what they wanted.

Aprons on!

 

 Let the painting begin

Papo had the job of keeping Channah entertained (quite a task these days!)

 

 The kids did a great job painting (with a little help from the adults)

 

 

Channah has her own ideas about what to do with a paintbrush 

 

 A week later we picked up our glazed and fired finished products. They turned out so well! Great job, kiddos!

Milestone Catch-Up: Easter Fun (cont.)

Easter Sunday
We spent Easter Sunday afternoon with some wonderful friends from church. We made some springy sugar cookies to share.

The kids hunted for their Easter baskets before church.

Hand puppets were a big hit!

We had a great time in the yard on a surprisingly nice spring day!

Mom didn't think to bring play clothes. Oops!

Egg hunting fun!

 Even Channah got in on the action

 Sweet friends

 

Milestone Catch-Up: Easter Fun

Despite a freezing cold Easter season, we had several fun Easter-related outing this year. Here are some of the highlights:

 

 

Church Easter Egg Hunt

Our church hosted a community Easter Egg Hunt event this year for the first time. The kids had a fantastic time with all the various activities, despite the need for winter gear.

 

The kids all bundled up and ready for the party

The bubble station was a huge hit! (I can't believe I don't have a picture of Benj here. He seriously would have spent the whole day at the bubble station. Finally I asked the adult at the station pointedly, "Isn't there a time limit?" ;) )

 

The face painting station required some coersion, but the kids finally consented. 

 

 

 

 

We finally got to the egg hunt. They hunted for eggs labeled with letters that spelled out "Happy Easter." 

 

 

 

 

 

The good ol' egg on a spoon race. We told Leila she couldn't hold the egg ... so she just cupped the spoon with one hand and held it against her body. Creative! :)

 

 

One sack racer needed a little help from Mima.

 

 

Ressurrection Eggs

One of the highlights of our Easter season is always talking about the Easter story using symbols of the Passion week.