Southern Oregon is dressed up for fall with its reds, oranges, yellows and browns. Sunsets are warm and early. Sidewalks are wet, air is thick with fog, and brisk temperatures welcome long walks around the neighborhood.
Yesterday was Halloween, and we had so much fun gathering with friends and creating festive memories. This year my October highlights would have to be reading Halloween books to Emma, playing dice games with William and Matthew, spending time outside in the autumn weather at soccer games, football games, and cross country meets, and my after dinner walks with John.
Cate was a butterfly again! Such a cute butterfly. She has been so busy with PSAT, XC, Choir state auditions, work, and ASB secretary stuff; I think she was just flying by the seat of her pants! She had a group of friends over on Halloween for food and to watch a movie. I loved having the teenagers here. She has amazing friends, and I was so grateful they included Cate's brothers in everything as well.
Johnny and his friends all decided to be Perry the Platypus from a favorite children's cartoon. These boys crack me up. They have a lot of fun together and are really enjoying high school. They started out at our house for food, then went trick or treating with Cate and her friends. After trick or treating, they decked out in all white and left at 8:00pm for the rival football game. When Johnny got home, he jumped into the mafia game upstairs with the teens that were here. He had a great night and was cracking me up with his light and easy wit all night.
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Johnny, Truman, and Max
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| South won the football Game! Johnny with some of his friends after the game! |
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| All the Perrys, Ha! |
William, the 6th grader, wasn't sure what he wanted to be for Halloween. He landed on copying his older brother- ha! He was also a Perry the Platypus. Coincidentally, his friend randomly dressed up in the same costume, so it was pretty funny seeing six Perry's roaming the streets last night. He went off trick or treating with his friends Grady, Luke, Nathan, and Jude. Earlier this week, William went to a middle school fall social- and it is crazy to me he's entering this teen era so close on the heels of his older siblings. William is the biggest fan of my apple cider I make every Halloween, and that brings me so much joy.
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| William and Johnny twinning. |
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And they're off!
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| William on his school's Instagram with Grady. |
Matthew was a banana! He has wanted to be a banana for a couple years now, and I was so so excited when I found his costume on sale the day before a Halloween party. His excitement was through the roof. I was able to help out in Matthew's class on Halloween and I get so tickled by all the kids sitting in their desks dressed in costume! Matthew is so proud to show off Emma which is really sweet to see as a mom. Since the fourth grade is learning about medieval history, his teacher organized a candy pumpkin catapult building competition. Matthew came home and ate a quick dinner, then was back out the door headed to the school trunk or treat and carnival with John. When he came home, he had quite the crew trick or treating and I was the adult trying to keep up with them. Fourth grade is magical on Halloween. Those five boys felt invincible and on top of the world running the streets at night, kicking up colored leaves. He went with Rory, Brooks, Everett, Indiana, and Elijah. I feel like I need to note: Matthew got a bug in his eye and it was swollen the whole night- he was a good sport, but sheesh- not ideal! Then they all came to our house for stew and to separate and trade candy.
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| Driving around with a banana next to me was comical to say the least. |
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| Matthew the banana with minions Morgan and Olive! |
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| The trick or treating crew! |
Emma was a witch this year! She wore a costume my mom made me when I was in 5th grade. She was delightful. I should mention she was "'pooky witch!" Her running house to house as fast as her legs would carry her, saying trick or treat and singing her thank you's while she twirled and ran back to me- was simply put: darling. She has been playful with all the festivities this month, and makes sure to label everything that is "Halloween". John was so happy to be in town for Halloween and I feel like him soaking her up every minute was a highlight of the night for me. She kept telling me her daddy was a cowboy but she was a witch, then at some point was teasing John saying she was in fact the cowboy and he was the witch. She was tickled with herself over that. Emma and I have spent about thirty minutes every day reading Halloween books and her giggles and commentary made me smile every day. She was reluctant to go to bed at the end of night after a day of parties and running and candy. She kept sneaking up stairs to watch the teen's movie. She kept coming up with excuses to stay awake. "I want egg" "My tummy hurts" "My eye hurts" "I need to sleep on the touch" "I a 'pooky witch" but once she finally laid down, she crashed in about one minute.
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| Oh the cutest witch I ever did see! |
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| Her face expression says so much here. She's a bossy little witch. Her shadow is so sweet. |
We hosted friends for dinner and trick or treating and it is always great to gather together. Our community feels like family, and that makes me grateful!
All my favorite children!
Emma the cat reading while I volunteered at Matthew's school.
I carved pumpkins with the three youngest the day before Halloween.
