So much fun packed into one week.

 Happy November! 
So much excitement over the past week - Halloween parties, Halloween itself, my Girl turned TEN, birthday parties, crazy crazy crazy.

Isn't this a pretty picture of my niece?  My Girl took this photo.  Perhaps a talent to be developed?

 My friend A had a book club/Halloween party.  We all read the same horror novel and then got together in costume to discuss the book whilst noshing upon gory eats, most of which she found on Pinterest, which was most definitely developed with her in mind.  We read The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson, and we most definitely all differed in our opinions.  My theory is you must have more than a little crazy yourself in order to enjoy the book and experience the little thrilling scare.  Having more than a little crazy myself - I enjoyed it.  And the party was fun.

I went as Little Red Riding Hood.  Definitely not
 the most inspired costume, but literary, nonetheless.
 

The Girl was a zombie clown for Halloween.  I have collected a bunch of costume components over the years - leftovers from other costumes, stuff I've found on clearance, bits and pieces from crafts stores - and the kids are required to build their own costumes from these ingredients.  This is what she came up with, and it was absolutely terrifying.  I did the make-up - pretty proud of the effect, if very disturbed.  The Girl likes to go scary.  I never did, and neither does her brother, but she likes the scary.  The Boy, on the other hand, decided to sit this Halloween out.  He did, however, enjoy carving his jack-o-lantern (which I forgot to photograph) and then raiding his sister's candy stash (which has now been hidden.)  The weather was icky - cold and wet - but the whole neighborhood still came out for trick-or-treat.  Reminded me of home - Chicago was usually cold and wet on Halloween.

 

It's been interesting reading the opinions from other mama bloggers about Halloween.  I love the holiday.  I love the smell of the evening - dead leaves, bonfires, caramel and pancake makeup and maybe a little beer.  I love seeing all the costumes, trying to guess who is in what, especially seeing something very clever that nobody else is wearing (a few years ago a particularly groovy teenager came trick-or-treating to my house dressed as Dr. Horrible.  He was perfect, and very polite, and sweetly awed at my knowing who he was.  I wanted to give him all the candy.)  I love chatting with the neighbors while the kids run up to the houses, seeing the different decorations at houses that really get into the spirit, and the people who totally turn the experience into a party with firepits and beer and full-sized candybars.  I even love the odd looks I get from the other parents - I always dress up.  No, I don't care that I'm a grown-up.  I play dress-up every chance I get.  Each year is another chance to fondly remember my own childhood, and to make our own traditions.  To enjoy a holiday that is all about fun and ruled by kids. 

 

Anyway, my Girl turned 10 this past week.  My baby is in double digits.  She had her first sleepover party, which was loud and crazy, and actually a lot of fun.  I will not shy away from them anymore.  I didn't plan anything at all - I had a sub job all week last week and with Halloween and working and all it was a bit chaotic.  I made the fixings for tacos and the girls made their own tacos.  They asked to make a craft, so I took out all these old coffee cans I had been saving for no reason and my scrapbook supplies - they made beautiful cans!  They built their own sundaes and watched Elf and they were all asleep by 12:30AM.  Do you remember your own slumber parties?  When I was a kid, someone always ended up in tears before the end of the night.  No tears here, it was lovely. 

 

Anyway, today I had to decompress - I haven't even gotten dressed.  I did some laundry and read most of the day.  Tomorrow begins a new week, with new responsibilities - one of our cars goes back in the shop tomorrow.  So, you know, yay for that.  Have a great night.