All Things Halloween

Our Halloween festivities started with the Goblin Walk in downtown San Carlos the Friday before Halloween from 4-6. They close the main street and kids go trick-or-treating in the shops and restaurants. It was mobbed with people. Kaira and Josie had fun. I asked Josie what she wanted to wear and showed her this princess dress we had just brought back from Katie. She said, "I can't stop gazing at how beautiful it is." Josie and I walked, with her in the jog stroller, from our house and then Eric met us there. She didn't need to put her sweater on until we were leaving at like 6ish. It was a beautiful afternoon/evening.

 Eric and Josie had their ritual of carving a pumpkin on an evening when I'm away. I just saw the beginnings and then the finished product lit with a candle when I got home. They also went to buy a skeleton head with glowing eyes to put outside. It was by our front door so no one could see it from the street but Josie enjoyed it.

 Halloween evening the little pals went trick-or-treating together on Eucalyptus St. in San Carlos.  This was our first year visiting the street for Halloween. Let me just say these people are nutsy (even more so at Christmas). They go over the top with decorations. The theme was Wizard of Oz.

  

A glimpse of what we saw: Over the rainbow; lollipops in Munchkin Land; the yellow brick road; the Emerald City; wicked witch's legs and ruby slippers; witch passing out candy

 More decorations

 Josie and her silly faces. Gahaus made this cute costume for one of Josie's older cousins. She really wanted to wear it. We tried it on the night before and I noticed it was a little short. Fortunately Kaira had a cozy pair of brown boots for Josie to borrow.

 Because there were swarms of kids, all the young ones were out like us between 5-6, candy was passed out in front of the house instead of ringing the door bell. We bumped into Adriana who lives across the street from us. One house had all these cool carvings on their pumpkins, probably a dozen or so. Later I asked Josie what was her favorite thing about trick-or-treating and she said being with Kaira. They have such a sweet friendship. So thankful for their family.

 We stopped by Janet and Stephen's and got some yummy Halloween cookies.

 Next stop we saw John and Jody who were at a friend's house just up the street from Janet and Stephen, but we didn't get pictures. We then zipped over to see Gahuas and Grandpa Rich. We had a delicious dinner of soup and salad and after Josie was happy to be by herself playing in "her room".

Santa Barbara October visit

Last weekend Josie and I drove to SB. We left on Thursday around 3:30 and arrived around 9pm. We had a great drive. The girls were so excited to see each other. Josie slept on the floor in Katie's room. It was sunny and warm all weekend. 

 

Karen and Katie were off of school on Friday. We went on a couple errands and then to the pumpkin patch. The maze was closed and the hayride was too crowded so after a bit we left and decided to go back another time. We went home for lunch and then to the beach b/c it was so hot out. Katie and I went boogie boarding with wet suits and had fun in the waves. Josie is a little scared of the waves but went in briefly. She had more fun digging in the sand. 

Saturday the girls wanted to play at home for a good chunk of the morning instead of going back to the beach. They had their own water fun. We then took them to the park across from the beach and walked over to the carousel. No one else was there and the girls had fun riding it twice.

 

Tucked into a tunnel with plastic side.

 

 Back to the pumpkin patch.

 

Josie took two of the pics.

We went through the maze about 6 or 7 times. The winning time was 3min 15sec. Somehow Katie could remember (most of the time) the basic way through the maze. Even by the last time I had no idea which way to turn. Video of one of our attempts. A few missed turns.

Sunday we went to church and Josie helped in the two years old class with Katie, Luke & Karen. I sat in the service by myself. My parents were out of town so didn't see them on this trip. We left after lunch around 1:30 and got home at 7. Josie was a great traveller both ways.

Zoppe Family Circus in Redwood City

This is the 2nd year that we've seen this circus. We love the small town feel and the family atmosphere right in our back yard. We saw some amazing acts this year and enjoyed it very much.

3 yrs 8 months

Our life in pics over the past month. No pics of mini tantrums that happen during times of transition. She still does not like to leave places when she's having fun and gets angry about it. No pics of bedtime routine of 3 books and mom or dad lying with her and giving her a very long back rub. No pics of her when she just wakes up and comes out of her room holding blankie with her hair sticking up all over and a smile on her face. No pics of her hugging her swim teacher and blowing a kiss when her lesson is over.

A few funny things she's said this month: after listening to Ivy and Bean chapter book on cd. "Can we build a lab in my room so I can make potions?" 

"My favorite days are Christmas, Halloween, my birthday and Kaira Day!"

One day standing at the bathroom sink looking in the mirror. "What happened to my eye brows? I want the rainbow back." I showed her how we can make our eye brows move. "I don't like my eye brows. I want them brown. Why did you shave them?"

 Playing with Emmy and Jojo at church.

 Making cookies and decorating with Kaira.

 Time for another trim with Lei.

Making pancakes.

 Lunch in Pescadero before the beach.

 Our first rainy day.

 Sharpening all her pencils.

 Half time at Stanford women's soccer game, watching the little girls play. Getting her pumped up for her own soccer class about to begin. Stanford won 3-0 on a beautiful warm evening.

 Josie after her first soccer practice. Future soccer star! Every week she wants to wear "Allison's" shirt (she attends U of Arizona). That's now her official soccer shirt. I found this shorts in the boys section at the thrift store. She loves them. I also found a sport skirt so she alternates the two with her soccer shirt.

St Charles carnival. Enjoying shaved ice after winning a Hello Kitty pink alarm clock.

Fun on the bouncy slide.

Holland's 2 yr old bday party last night.

A Sunny Sunday in Pescadero

On a Sunday a couple weeks ago we went to Pescadero for lunch and then to the goat farm to check out the goats and buy some fresh goat cheese.

We then headed to the beach in time for low tide. Cool rocks to climb on.

 What a gorgeous day with warm sunny weather. 

The tide wasn't all that low but we did see some sea life.

Josie and Eric had fun making a sand castle and Rapunzel's tower (all daddy's idea).

Video of splashing along the shore.

Mom makes an appearance.

 Finishing touches on the castle.

 

Need water for the moat. Not easy when you have a small bucket.

 Finished product...

Another video of running and splashing.

 Watching and waiting for the tide to come in.

 

The water is getting closer to the castle.

 Sweet shots with dad.

 

  

Pretending to be a crab.

One last climb on the rocks before heading home.

 

 Goodbye for now beautiful coast.