Since Halloween/Harvest Party is my Christmas I thought stealing a line from a Christmas song would be appropriate. I know it's not a very "Christian" holiday to love so much, but I do. I'm not into the witches, ghosts and goblins - In fact I wish that wasn't a part of it at all. I just like dressing up with my family. I like thinking of the theme, making the costumes and then eventually wearing them. Who doesn't like to be someone else for a day? I also think that I secretly like it because it's one of the only holidays of the year that our families don't have anything planned (sorry families). Not that we don't enjoy our families, quite the opposite, but trying to figure out who goes where and whose feelings might get hurt if we don't show up, stresses me out. Needless to say this is my holiday.
As far as our costumes go I always set certain "rules" for myself.
1. I want to spend as little money as possible (bonus if I don't spend any at all).
2. We must stay within the chosen theme (the kids help choose the theme). A few of our previous themes have been: Charlotte's Web, Monsters Inc., Breakfast, Super Mario Bros., Beauty and the Beast and Where's Waldo?.
3. I prefer not to buy premade costumes (it takes some of the fun out of it for me), but if I do I usually alter them.
4. Save everything for the last minute and then wonder why I ever liked this holiday.
This year we are gearing up to be characters from Peter Pan. Anya lives in Neverland anyway so we thought it might nice for us to join her in her "reality". Greg will be Peter, Me - Tigerlily, Charis - Wendy, Anya - Tinkerbell, and Micaiah - lost boy, Michael, or John. We'll see what we come up with and post pictures later. Hope everyone has a fun and safe Halloween/Harvest/October 31st.
Ever since I moved out of my parents house I have longed for a house with trees in the yard. I love their majestic beauty and the wonderful shade they provide. I love the instant history they impart just by being there. I imagined tree houses, tire swings and hammocks on warm summer days. Last year I finally got my wish. A house with real trees. What I forgot to take into consideration, in my idealistic musings, is that once a year these trees tire of their shade giving leaves and dump them mercilessly all over your yard. Again and again and again. We have filled 4 large trash cans and 4 large yard bags with leaves this past weekend, and haven't even made a dent. It is funny though the leaves themselves, though hard work, have made for plenty of new family activities. 
We have raking leaves into a pile, jumping in the leaves, shoving leaves into your brother's pants, burying your sister, forgetting she is there, accidentally stepping on her and then all out chaos. I did happen to get a few pictures before the madness ensued. So now when I look back I them I can forget what a pain the leaves are, and remember only how much I love my trees.
