Halloween 2022

For the first time ever, we decided to host a trunk at the school's trunk or treat event.  The night before, we decided to do a test run for our set up.

Children peeking out, yep, that's how it actually looked. = )

The weather for the event was better than we could have ever expected.  Our little ones didn't spend much time at the car, but were out having fun at the event instead.  Billy had to run home about halfway through, since we were running low on candy and dead rocks!   The rocks went first, but thankfully we did have enough candy. = )

Halloween fell on a Monday, which is slightly annoying, but I had toothbrushes ready to go.  The hot chocolate bombs were more work than anticipated (they require hot milk vs hot water to make) so I won't be getting those again for a while.

Halloween night was such pleasant weather!!!  We stayed out the entire 2 hours, while Billy passed out candy.  At the end we had two buckets full of candy!!  It was crazy.

Seven was Shaggy this year, as William was Scooby.  He came over at the end of trick-or-treating for a photo op. = )

I hope that Halloweens from here on out are this warm, it would make the holiday much more enjoyable!

later days

edit: backdated for continuity

Halloween 2021

Both Emily's ballet & William's karate had special events for Halloween, so they each had an extra costume.  Emily the flamingo:

And William the deep sea fisherman. = )

We also made some spooky snacks, thanks to the Kroger Magazine for the recipies.

The sausage mummies are so good, I'm pretty sure we had them at least three times!

The kids all wanted a piece with the spider on it, but then picked off the olives. lol.

Emily decorated her computer for the season.

And it was really spooky for the kids when Roblox went down for an entire weekend!!!

And some time in the last year, I found a definitive candy measuring cup. It's a tupperware dressing cup.  The kids are allowed to have their age in candy on the first night, then follow the cookie rule after that (age/4 (rounded down) + 1.)  But, if the candy is small, they may have 2 pieces per cookie.  Every year I was bombarded by: "Is this small? Is this small? Is this small?"  So, now we finally have a cup, that if the candy fits inside, with the lid on, it is "small" if not, it's big.  I told Billy that Alice would be eating a lot of squished candy this year. (and she did.)

Halloween this year fell on a Sunday, which is less than ideal, but we managed to have fun just the same!

Avia stopped by and helped set up the porch and the company that we would be having soon.  Then Sarah stopped by with Seven to get a picture of Scooby Doo & Shaggy together again.

Abby's family, even big Em, came over and played some games in the afternoon, then left just before trick or treat time.  Emily and Abby were peanut butter & jelly.  (Emily and I tie-dyed the shirts when the weather was still pretty.)

Then, we were joined by Willow for trick or treating.  I let Billy take the kids this year, while I passed out candy.  The three little ones were done quickly.  Grace and Juliet helped me pass out candy the rest of the night.  

Eventually, Willow and Emily came back, but her mom took them to a few other neighborhoods to try and score candy, without having to be out in the cold.   Sadly, they ran into a lot of darkened porches.

And strangely enough, despite giving out large handfuls of candy, we still ended up with almost a full bag of candy that did not get passed out.

Afterward, Juliet's friend Kennedy and her mom stopped by for a bit, which made Juliet one happy girl.

It was a fun day of friends, outside time, and candy!

later days

edit: written 11/15/21 but back-dated to Halloween for continuity.

End of October

232nd Day of Quarantine.

The high today was a remarkable 53F!  That is absolutely balmy compared to all the other Halloweens we've spent in this northern climate.

We did not go door to door this year, but my crew till enjoyed dressing up, and went "door to door" inside the house.  = )  

We did set up a no-contact table for those who ventured out, but usually we have leftovers, and I feel like this year is going to be the same. = /

For dinner we had spaghetti (this seems to be the common meal of Halloween.)  Grace was definitely the proponent of this.  So, we ended up eating "dinner" at 3:45!

A picture of a full, blue moon on Halloween night!

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231st Day of Quarantine.

The high today was a cloudy, breezy 40F.  I took out the riding mower to mulch up the leaves, and had to come inside part way through to get some gloves!  It is a chilly, chilly day.

I took dinner to one of the mops ladies in my group. She had to have emergency back surgery a few weeks ago!  = 0 Since it was near my sister's house, she also had me go by QD, and after cooking a meal and running errands (right at dinner time) we ordered Chinese.  Sadly, our favorite delivery place is permanently closed. It was yet another victim of covid.

So, we ordered from a place that sent us a menu (with offer of delivery from a few years ago) but they are not currently delivering.  Thankfully, they are also not too far from Sarah's and so I picked up our order on my way home.

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230th Day of Quarantine.

The high today was an overcast, cold 44F.

We wrapped up week 11 today, which means we will finish our term next week with Exams, and no new material! = 0  I cannot believe how fast this year is going.

William and the twins really enjoyed the personalized map that Aunt Rocky made for our lesson today.  William was doing really well identifying the local landmarks!

During nature study, we had to go out and observe the wind speed.  So, we actually used the anemometer the big girls made!  It was very cool.  It was cold and wet though, so we did not see any wildlife, not even a goose!

After school, I went to the grocery store, pharmacy and post office.  

Sarah's Christmas gift (a dog bed) arrived today, so I dug out my wrapping paper so that I can send it over and let it take up space in her basement, for the next two months, instead of mine. = )

For dinner we had ham steaks, mashed potatoes and veggies.

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229th Day of Quarantine.

The high today was a slightly warmer, but much sunnier 53F.

I tweaked our daily school schedule, so William now reads before math, while the big girls finish their reading.  After we condensed our week into four days, each session for Alice and Emily has to be a little bit longer to fit in all the material.  So, now I have time to read with the twins and William usually, before they are finished and ready to narrate.  It makes the time after math nicer for all of us!

For dinner we had orange chicken with rice. I got it cooked up a little early, since Ms. Charlie is here today.

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228th Day of Quarantine.

The high today was a wet and cold 40F.

Halloween is upon us, so we did some seasonal art, and had a themed snack. = ) I bought the kits at dollar tree last month, and was going to give them out on Halloween, but thought maybe we could enjoy it a little longer if we painted them today, instead of water colors.  The kids totally approved.

For dinner we had chicken faijitas.

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227th Day of Quarantine.

The high today was 44F.

In science, the big girls built a miniature version of Leonardo DaVinci's parachute.  It came apart on it's second flight, but the first flight worked well enough to exhibit a sound principle.

After we finished our lessons for the day, I introduced the kids to dissolvable packing peanuts and the tiny firework poppers that you can pop on cement.  

While they were engaged with those activities, I organized all the science supplies for Term 2, which we will start in just under 2 weeks! = 0

For dinner we had sirloin beef tips in mushroom gravy with spiral noodles and mixed veggies as a side.

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226th Day of Quarantine.

The expected high today was 44F.  When I went outside to start raking the leaves,  I would have believed it, but I managed to get in a nice workout and warm up!

Billy went out later to finish up the side yard.  The yard looks much better, but the trees still have slew of leaves just waiting to fall.

For dinner we had Chicken Alfredo with Penne.

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later days

Halloween & First Snow

Halloween was celebrated over the course of several days, since the school celebrates it the Friday before and this year it fell on a Wednesday.

I bounced around for an hour or so between 4 classrooms, helping with costume changes and setting up for parties.

When they made an announcement to head outside, I waited in my nice warm car for my little ones to pass.

Grace declined my jacket when I offered it to her on the outbound path, but accepted it when she was on the return trip. brrrr!

After the parade were class parties.  I spent more time bouncing around, then hurriedly collected my crew for a quick run home for homework & dinner.  Then it was back to the fall fest once Billy got home!

Inside was just to exciting to pose for a picture.  They enjoyed the trick or treating, trips to the book fair and dancing in the dark. = )

Grace and Juliet might be a bit small for the favors they got from their party. = )

Alice decorated her pumpkin with the wooden/metal stick pieces.  Emily took a more classic approach and carved hers out.

For Halloween, they each got a glow stick for trick or treating, some robux and a new toothbrush.  And of course some seasonal cereal!

By the time we were heading out, it was raining/snowing. In October. Ew.

We left Billy on the porch to pass out candy, while we braved the weather with Abby and her family.

About halfway through the night, everyone was cold, and wet, and miserable.  We started to head back through all the tears and puddles. = (

So here it is, the first snow of the year, on Halloween night.

At least it went away quickly.

later days