We continued our tradition and went to Webb Ranch to pick out pumpkins. Unfortunately, I lost my mind and thought it would be fun to go on a Saturday after breakfast. Compared to the last two years when we went on a weekday, it was CRAZY busy. With a little multi tasking and tag teaming, we all made it out alive and home in time for a nap and the Raiders game. Thank goodness they brought out the second pony.
Ruby's pre school hosted a party the Friday before Halloween. It was my first time being on the parent side and I loved it. Her teachers did an amazing job! The whole place, inside and out, was decorated with kids artwork. They turned the playhouse into a haunted house. They sang Halloween songs. They walked in a parade. And, they had games and activities for the kids. The most impressive part was that they were totally calm, cool and smiling the entire time. I'm so happy we picked the school.
Last year was the first time I carved a pumpkin in California (I think). I learned the hard way that jack 'o lanterns don't last long in the heat. Ruby was dying to carve her pumpkins but I kept telling her that they would be rotten before Halloween. She finally understood when I showed her the inside of of a couple pumpkins in the neighborhood. Unfortunately, she also kept asking one of the girls, "Why you carve your pumpkin already? They are rotten."
Finally on Sunday night, I invited myself over to Auntie and Uncle Kevin's for a pumpkin carving "party." Uncle Kevin was my hero and did most of the cutting, scooping, carving and cleaning. He let Ruby draw on her own pumpkin and then carved when she drew. In the light it looked like a 3 year old did it. In the dark, it actually looked fantastic. Thanks Uncle Kevin!
I had to work on Monday. Lucky for me, they accidentally shut the water off right after school. No bathrooms = no good for being 37 weeks pregnant so I left earlier than usual. Grandpa Stone stopped by so we all hung out for a few hours trying to convince Ruby it wasn't time for trick or treating yet. After the worlds longest dinner (Ruby was too excited to eat), it was finally time to meet the neighbors outside. It's great. We decide when to meet, all go in one group to each others houses and head back inside after a half hour or so. The kids don't even notice when one adult walks in the garage, answers the front door and then comes back out the garage to finish walking with the kids. We wondered what Ruby would think of the candy this year. Last year she had one lollipop at N's house and that was it. This year she was super excited to get the candy but forgot about it quickly. As a matter of fact, it's still in the cupboard right now and she doesn't even ask about it. I'm guessing that will change by next year.
There was one crazy moment at the end of the night. Some of the neighbors without kids still turn on their lights for trick or treating. One had real candles lining their sidewalk. We made sure the kids were okay at the house and moved on. As we were heading back home, the woman poked her head out and told the kids to come back for seconds so she didn't have leftover candy. The kids stormed the porch. All the sudden, Ruby was screaming and crying, "Mommy, I got burned and my costume is ruined!" I ran (as much as I can run at this point) over picturing her cheap ballerina skirt up in flames. Fortunately, it was just wax on her foot and ballerina shoe and her biggest concern was the shoe. She was still "sad about my shoe" in the group photo.
The only thing missing this year were the GVZs and the rest of our baby friends. Seems like everyone had fun but it wasn't the same without being together.
Looks like she had a blast!!
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