Halloween Highlights Part One

Jackson decided during the summer that he wanted to be the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland.  I asked if he and Kendall could "match" again this year.  He said, "Well, she can't be Alice because she doesn't have blonde hair.  She can be the Queen of Hearts."  I loved that idea!
 

Jackson the "Mad Hatter" and Kendall the "Queen of Hearts"

Thus begins the adventures of Halloween 2010...

Friday, Kendall had a Halloween party at her school.  They have a costume parade before the party, but little-miss stubborn REFUSED to wear her costume to school.  I didn't get to go to the party, but my sweet husband went and took pictures for me!


I was very proud of my simple contribution -
Halloween Turkey/Ham and Cheese sandwiches

 

Kendall and a few classmates enjoying the goodies.  The table decorations looked really cute!

 

Silly girl - even though she refused the costume, she looked pretty cute in her "BOO" pillowcase dress

 

Kendall and her friend Kiersten enjoying some snacks (okay, Kendall might be enjoying that cheeto a little too much!)

After school on Friday, we got Jackson decked out in his costume and went to pick up Kendall.  Luckily, she put her costume on right away because Jackson was wearing his!  We rushed to Daddy's work for the Annual Allstate Trick or Treat.  The kids had so much fun walking around the office getting candy!

By Daddy and Dusty's cubicles



You mean I can reach in and grab my own?

After Daddy's work, we all headed over to the Spooky Carnival at the Science Spectrum.  Our sweet friend Sarah couldn't go, so she gave us her tickets.  Thanks, Sarah!!!

Jackson and the NBC peacock



Guess he didn't like the name of my blog - so he decided to chase us! 
Just kidding, Kendall kept sneaking up to him and running away, he (or maybe she?) was really patient and kind.  Kendall never did warm up enough to him to get really close.

 

We played lots of fun games...

and enjoyed some old favorites as well!

  

Kendall inside the Spooky (not Scary) Haunted House -
she really LOVED this moving hand!

 

Daddy helped Kendall make a paper pumpkin

  

We were VERY excited to run into our friends Star Song and Super-John (a.k.a. Caroline and John)

 

Jackson was picked to be in the kid's costume contest!  Sorry for the dark picture, the lighting was really weird in the room.



Jackson on stage during the contest with a sci-fi character I was not familiar with and a Lego.



Jackson made it to the top three finalists with Avatar and a Halloween butterfly



Drum roll please...He won Second Place!!!  I'm not sure which prize he was happier with - the GINORMOUS Texas sucker or the Omni-Theater tickets.

To Be Continued... (I know, I know you're on the edge of your seat with anticipation!)

Verse of the Day - "Praise the LORD.  Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." Psalm 106:1

Blessings,
Kelli

A Very Merry Half-Birthday

Kendall is exactly 2 and a half today.  In half a year, she will be three years old.  This doesn't seem possible to me.  Just yesterday, we were anxiously waiting and praying for her arrival.  Apparently, I blinked and 2 and half years have flown by!

Here she is all decked out for Bubba's practice today...


A crown and butterfly wings...



princess shoes...



sunglasses and a wand complete the outfit!

 

CHEESE!


She handed me her wand and I said "POOF, you're a princess!".  She took the wand from me and said "POOF!".  I asked her, "Am I a princess, now?".  She said, "No, you're my mommy!".  That's a million times better than being a princess!!!

Happy Half-Birthday, Kendall - you are truly a JOY!

Verse of the day - "Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings." Psalm 63:7

Blessings,
Kelli

Here come the Pumpkin People...

Every year, the 1st graders bring a pumpkin to school to turn them into "Pumpkin People".  The kids use straight pins to stick in different types of craft items to make these FUN creations.  This activity always brings a smile to my face.  The kids have so much fun and I am constantly amazed by their creativity!

Working Hard



Demonstrating some straight pin action (straight pins are also known as "needles" or "nails" to 1st graders)



We get by with a little help from our friends!

Here are the finished products.  Of course, we have to name them!

Ghost Rider, Kung Fu Panda, and Cinderella


 

Makayla, Hannah Montana and Michael Jackson

  

Lava Girl, Slimy and Shark

 

Lava Boy, Princess and Michael



Bella and Gabriella



Gokoo and Brittany



I think these two look like Bert and Ernie from Sesame Street!

Lined up in the hall for everyone to see



Some of Mrs. P's Pumpkin People



Some of Mrs. 7e's Pumpkin People

I was EXTRA excited for this activity this year because of my personal 1st grader!  I snuck over to his class a few times to snap some pics.


Mrs. 7e's sweet mom, Mrs. Cloud, came to help!  I believe she was taking special hair orders at this moment.



Pinning in some hair - it was hat day, by the way.



Jackson and "Mr. Pumpkinhead"



The genius behind the pumpkin people - Mrs. Sevigny!  She's the best!

We sent our orange friends home on Friday, so our families could enjoy them for Halloween!

Verse of the day - "and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts" Exodus 35:31

Blessings,
Kelli

Pumpkin Trail

The Pumpkin Trail is yet another reason I love Lubbock!  Last year, the Garden and Arts Center held the very first Pumpkin Trail at the Arboretum.  Different groups, businesses and individuals carve thousands of pumpkins that are then placed on the walking trail at the Arboretum.  My mom and our good friend Debbie took the kids last year while Zach and I went on a date.  The kids had such a great time, so Zach and I really wanted to go this year!  I must mention that we went on the last night, so some of the pumpkins aren't as "fresh" as they once were.  Thanks to Debbie and Yommy for sharing the fun again this year!
 

Scarecrows and twinkly lights welcomed us in...

  



"Swan" Lake

Pumpkin-crow



Disney



Dia De Los Muertos - These were my favorites!

The Arboretum has a new entrance with a gazebo and several garden-themed areas.  The kids really loved these "pumpkin - gardners".

 Jackson's fav
 (We had a busy Sunday, so we were still decked out from his game.)

 Kendall's fav (Although she refused to look at the camera)

 If Jackson had his druthers, he would have taken his picture with each of the 1,200 pumpkins on the trail.  Unfortunately, there were large families in front of and behind us so we had to be really quick taking pics along the way.

 Jackson liked the fish, Kendall not-so-much!

 Girl Scout Pumpkins

 Jackson said, "Mom, I have to have my picture taken with this one.  Don't you see - it's a cross.  How can you say no to a picture with the cross pumpkin?" 
So really, how could I say no...

 JAIL



And they all lived happily ever after...

Verse of the day - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

Blessings,

Kelli