We had a two day action packed Halloween adventure this year. It started with JP's school parade on Friday. The kids dressed up in their costume and paraded around the room for the parents.
And afterwards, they sang us a few songs. It's always cute to watch a bunch of 3 to 5 year olds sing and entertain the crowd.
It was an interesting experience for Keith and I to be there this year. JP goes to the same preschool that Aiden attended for 2 years. The first year Aiden was there, JP was 9 mos old. It was strange not to have to wrangle a small child. We were able to sit back, watch, and enjoy every moment...and a bit sad that our baby is growing up.
JP is definitely different then his brother. Aiden always knew every word to every song and every hand motion. JP is more of an observer of the other children, but would get excited when he knew the words or motions. Either way it was super cute as always.
I then headed to Aidens school in the afternoon to volunteer for his Fall Festival party. The party is a great time for the kids to have some fun with games, crafts and have some fall theme snacks. This is my 2nd year volunteering and I love meeting his friends, as well as helping out in his class. I think Aiden loves having me there.
Then that night was his school's "Monster Mash". It's an event, sponsored by the PTO, that gives the kids a chance to wear their costume and celebrate Halloween. It's a bit crazy, but Aiden loves it. They have crafts and games for the whole family.
They also have a DJ in the gym for the kids to dance and my two let loose.
It was a good time for the boys!
On Halloween, we had soccer where the kids got to wear their costumes, which was fun to watch (sorry no pictures), Batman and Super Mario had a great time.
We then had a birthday party in the afternoon for a friend of the kids and then back home to start the Trick or Treating festivities. We had our parents and my sister and brother in law over, as well as the cutest Strawberry ever! My niece Olivia.
The boys loved having their family here to see them off as well as sharing Halloween with their cousin.
Then the boys were off to get candy. As always, they were so excited and couldn't wait to go house to house. We went out with a few of the neighbors this year, which was fun for the boys (and us too).
I was amazed how well JP did. This was the first year that we didn't take a stroller with us and he walked about three quarters of the way through trick or treating...in fact spent most of the time running. I thought for sure he tire out and we would have to carry him most of the way, but no!
As parents know most 3 1/2 years old would tired easily, but a kid with Fibular Hemimelia (who also had lengthening this year), it's hard to gage how much they can physically take before they are exhausted, sore, and done. JP still expects me to carry him a lot, so for him to do as much walking as he did was amazing. He showed us again what a superhero he is! I'm sure candy was a good motivator.
And last but not least, Aiden loves Halloween, but it's hard as a kid with a Peanut/Tree Nut allergy. He knows what he can and can't have and usually ends up with candy he can't eat. So this year, we made a deal with the kids (because neither need the amount of candy they got), we let them pick 10 of their favorites (for Aiden mainly kit kats and Hersey bars) and we bought the rest back. They are allowed to take that money to buy books or legos. This went over very well with both kids (surprise surprise) and we donated the other candy to soldiers. All in all they had a great Halloween.
