Busy, busy October

Here are a lot more random events from our busy, busy, busy October. I swear this month is twice as long as the others but is also my favorite. I love the holiday, the birthdays (heehee,) the scenery and for the most part the weather. But we still have a few days to go, Halloween hasn't technically happened yet and I'm already very exhausted.

Last Friday, the 26th, Morgan's school celebrated Halloween with class parties and a costume parade around the school. It was a cloudy and threatened rain but it stayed dry and everyone had a great time.

Sarah as Yoshi.
Behind her is Super Mario. Oddly enough this was probably the most common costume I saw. I also saw some TMNT, and other characters from my childhood. Weird.

Sarah's mom, Stephanie with an Ironman. Supher heros were also in abundance. As were Cleopatras...who knows?!

I thought this was a genius costume! There was also an oragami crane made out of cardboard covered in shiny wrapping paper. Love the creative costumes.

Mrs. Gonzales, Morgan's teacher.

Morgan as Captain America with some of his classmates.

Pepper and I watched the parade with Lesli and Lafe so we kept a look out for her other two children. Here's Ellie as a vampire. She did her own makeup.

And Addison went as a mad scientist.

Pepper really enjoyed watching all the older kids in their costumes and luckily a friend came over to sit in the house while Hazel napped so we all had a fun afternoon. Later that afternoon Pepper went to a friend's princess birthday party in her Snow White costume. She had a blast going to her first drop-off party all by herself.
The kids and I have been working on raking the leaves in our backyard. Why I tried to do this before the tree was done dropping leaves, I have no idea. Because each morning it would look as if we had never raked at all, despite the ever growing piles on our hill. But the kids have been having a great time playing in the leaves.

Here's a video of them in action:

On Thursday, the 25th, Pepper's preschool had an open house and program for the parents. Everyone was so cute and did such a great job singing.

The Pre-K kids singing songs about bats. Too cute.

Pepper, Lafe and their classmates singing some Halloween songs. Everyone took turns singing a little solo, which is mighty brave for 3yr olds. I was videoing all of them and right before Pepper sang I ran out of space on my camera. I was so, so sad because she sang out so clearly and was so proud of herself. I'm really very upset I didn't get it but just know she was wonderful!

Here are some videos of their singing:

Waving a tiny "hello" to Hazel. Apperently, babies can only see tiny waves and hear very high pitched voices.

After the singing, we went to the classrooms to meet the other parents and see what they've been up to.

Pepper was very happy for me to meet her friends. Hazel was happy to play with the toys.

Pepper and Gracie, I hear about this cute girl every day after school.

One of the songs they sang was Purple People Eater. Here's Lafe holding their own One-eyed, One horn, Flying Purple People Eater.

Sarah and the kids hanging out one day after school. I love Hazel's look in the corner of this picture.

After the open house on Thursday, Pepper, Hazel and I picked up our friends, Emily and Elsie and headed to the zoo. It was a beautiful, warm morning and the animals were all very lively, especially the big cats. It was a great day to be out and enjoying some nature.

Pepper and I took a ride on the train.

Hazel playing in the little play village they have set up.

Elsie, coming to join her.

Elsie is on the verge of walking but still spends most of her time scooting on her knees like this. Too cute. And painful looking.

Inside the play store.

Inside the house.

Hazel dragged that tin lid all over the place and mainly tried to eat leaves also.

So, now for Hazel's 1st birthday and Halloween. Bring it on.