Our church was having a Halloween party on Halloween evening, and though I wasn't initially sure if we were going to go or not, Jayce saw the fliers posted around church, and how it was superhero themed, and that was that. We had to go. Also, we'd rolled our clocks back the week before so it was pitch black by 5 pm, and cold, so a few hours of indoor activities was right up our alley.
The main building had been cleared of all chairs and filled with various little game stations, run by super heroes, with sweets for prizes and participation. Jayce was like a kid in a candy store. Or like a kid in a church filled with lots of games and free candy.
Jayce had his face painted like a cat. He was very proud of it and even Hannah approved.
This is one of the rare photos that I have of them together, or where Hannah was standing still for just a split second. 
Jayce was serious about bobbing for apples, and was eventually rewarded for his persistence, even though it was detrimental for the lower half of his painted face.
Success!!
Hannah was also successful, and this is how she looked all night. On the run, with an apple. 
Her method of bobbing for apples left something to be desired. But they kept letting her play, and win. (I think it was her tiny chef persuasive powers.) 
And if Jayce was like a kid in a candy shop, you can imagine what Hannah was like. We'll just let go of the metaphors here: She was like a baby who was unleashed in a large room, full of friendly people, half of them kids, in fun costumes, standing by brightly colored games, with big tubs of sweets that they let her dip into time and time again. With an apple to bite on. 
Trying to get a photo of the kids together and looking in my general direction wasn't happening, so these had to do.
We left the party and headed home, letting Jayce stop at the houses on our street that we passed along the way. There weren't many, maybe 5 or 6, but they each gave him a handful of candy. And the next morning he asked me, "Mom, when I'm done with this candy, can I lay down because my belly hurts?" So apparently he'd received just enough.
I considered not having Hannah dress up for Halloween this year. Everyone kept telling me how Halloween isn't really celebrated much here, neither Jayce nor Chris had classes the week of Halloween so there would be no school parties, and truthfully, my mind has been in Christmas mode since September. But a few weeks ago I noticed that the coffee shop that we love had a few child's aprons for sale. I tried one on Hannah, it was HUGE but she looked insanely cute, and it immediately sealed the deal for me. She had to be a chef.
It also works into my plan to subliminally plant the idea that "cooking is fun" in my kids' heads, so that they can take over for me sooner than later. 
Anyway, I made a quick trip to my favorite little 
I LOVE the teeny tiny little pleated pockets, the perfect size for those teeny little hands. I made the pants with a fun citrusy-patterned fabric using Dana's 
The pants fit perfectly. And it reminded me of the age-old truth that EVERYTHING is cuter in miniature. Her little apron is smaller than a dish towel. Do you know how cute it is to see a baby walking around with a smaller-than-a-dish-towel sized apron? Insanely cute. It's a happy maker.
I have been planning to get the kids a little kitchen for Christmas and make a few little homemade items to go with it. So now I can cross this off of my "Halloween costume" list and my "Christmas to do" list! Except that Jayce has requested his own apron and hat. Oh well. Sewing the second is always faster and easier than sewing the first, so it will be no problem.
Chris came home while Hannah was cooking in the kitchen. The photo on the right is when she heard him come through the door. She loooves her daddy.
She also loves to bang around pots and pans while I cook, so this is a common occurrence in our house. Now she just looks the part.
Eventually, all of that cooking wore her out, and she had to retire with her bear and recouperate a bit. I can't blame her. Even fake cooking can wear you out.
This time of year has me missing some of the traditions of home and of Lincoln. Several people have pointed out to me that Halloween isn't celebrated as much here as it is in the states. One person said to me, "That's your biggest holiday in America, right? Halloween?" No, it's like 5th or 6th on the list, right? Just a dumb fun one.
But even though Halloween isn't emphasized as much as it is in the states, it's still a holiday we'll be celebrating. And Jayce wanted to dress up as, what else? A Fireman! Better yet, Fireman Sam!! His costume arrived last weekend, and it was just in time, because we've had so many fires in our flat ever since then. Luckily he's always on the job.
He showed off his new costume last weekend to his cousin Hadley and Grandma Debbie on Skype, and we'll be headed out tomorrow. Despite everyone assuring me that Halloween isn't celebrated very much here, everyone is having Halloween parties, so we'll have our pick. There will obviously be pictures after that as well. 
Happy almost Halloween!
