Halloween and Half Birthdays

 The weekend before Halloween the kids and I went up to the annual West Seattle Junction Harvest Party.  The little witch and Batman had a great time. Notice Josie's pumpkin bag. It is unfortunately turned around so you can't see the detail on the face but my mom made this bag to hold our home halloween treats probably 35+ years ago.  Still holding strong and Josie uses it every year.

The kids and I also went to the Día de Muertos and although Josie was a little freaked out by all of the skeleton, skull and my description of the holiday, the kids made sugar skulls, papel picado and other traditional Mexican holiday crafts. 

 They did a great recreation of a Mexican cemetery in the Seattle Center.

 Then we ventured over to the Pacific Science Center and checked out the butterflies and other fun things there.  The Science Center still remains one of Benjamin's favorite places.

 There is an exhibit there were you choose your three meals for the day from a conveyor belt like a sushi restaurant.  This was what Josie chose.  Not sure if you can make it all out but a very well balanced day of food with even 45 calories left over.  The kids certainly go up and down with their eating but overall they have both been very good eaters.  They eat TONS of fruit and vegetables and will try almost anything at least once.  Their favorite out to eat food is Indian and not just the plain white rice and naan.

 A day or two before Halloween the kids got a card in the mail from Oma and Opa.  It is always so fun getting mail.

 Josie reading the card to Benjamin

 Mail is exceptionally fun when there is $5 inside!!  Thank you Oma and Opa!

 On Halloween I volunteered to help in Josie's classroom.  When I went to drop off  Benjamin at my good friend, Ali's, she said I should wear a costume and she just happened to have this 70's type outfit all ready!  Thanks, Ali :)  Josie barely recognized me.

 Cookie decorating station

 We don't have any photos from trick or treating this year but when we got home Benjamin decided to sort out his candy by type.  He is very particular this way... much like his father and very much unlike me!

 And on October 23rd we had celebratory chocolate cupcakes in honor of Benjamin's half birthday.  Happy three and a half, Benjamin.  He hit a bit of a rough patch this summer but he has been doing great at home and preschool for the past couple of months.  His sleep has finally become mostly regular without waking much at night anymore.  Sophie sleeps with him curled up right next to him most nights and he seems to feel more comfortable with someone there. He loves playing with his cars, trucks and anything with a motor (real or pretend)  He builds towers with his tiles and legos for hours and loves knocking them down just as much as building them. The other day he did something that made me angry.  I was scolding him and he came over and gave me a big hug and said he was sorry.  I was still mad and still scolding him so then he just grabbed my face with both hands and planted a big kiss on me.  What a little charmer.  It was really hard to be angry at all after that.  Love you my sweet, little  boy!!