Today

Today was Halloween. I spent my day with nine year olds... 21 of them from 8:30-3:20. 

They sure were excited. I dressed up as a Baker... I got to wear my apron, a chief hat, and carry around my rolling pin. My fourth graders dressed up too. 

In my town there are no 'parties' any more once its' upper elementary which I am actually really happy about! 

I got an adorable video from Anna tonight thanking me for the gifts I left for her to open on Halloween. 

Abigail was thrilled with some new hair products I found for her. 

Scott answered the door all evening for all of the adorable trick or treaters that came to our house. 

Oh! And I took down every speck of fall decor ... tomorrow I start on our holiday decorations! I am so excited!  

Other posts you might enjoy: 

Halloween... Thankful for the memories

Halloween ~ thankful for the memories!

(2010)

I was at school today dressed as a 'baker'. (my last name) and I had to use all the tricks I could think of to help those nine year olds through this day. Boy was I glad when the bell rang at 3:20. I watched them race outta our classroom asking me what kind of candy was my favorite because they wanted to save me some! There were so many parents in the pick up area today for kids that are usually on the bus. Excitement! I could feel it. 

Somehow when I watched them leave and race home to start their evenings I remember what I was doing at that exact time on Halloween. I too was at my girls school, scooping them up and driving 30 minutes to my parents house because it just wasn't Halloween without trick or treating there first!  

Then I would race those girls home to a dinner that was keeping warm in the crockpot "Trick or Treaters Taco Soup". Every single year. 

Scott would be home by then and we would eat as fast as we could, get those wiggly girls in their costumes and out the door we'd go! 

It was always such a fun day and night but boy was I tired when it was over and they were bathed and tucked into bed. I'd think, "I did it!" 

And I never thought it would end. 

I'm not sad today (well, maybe just a little). Wishing they were eight and four is a waste of time. They are twenty and sixteen. And that is magical too; just in a different way. My heart swells with love for my growing girls and their dreams and goals. 

But it sure was fun all of those little Halloween years. I am so thankful for all of the memories. 

Today Anna sent us pictures and videos of how her college had special food, desserts, and fun. She dressed up for her orchestra party and had fun carving a pumpkin. 

Abigail wore an adorable Halloween sweat shirt today and loved it too. 

Even though I was with nine year olds all day I'm not nearly as exhausted as I used to be helping my girls dress up as a peacock, a rainbow, an owl and so much more! Those days are in the book and in the memories of my heart. 

I'm so glad for holidays. 

Other posts you might like: 

Halloween 2010

Halloween 2011 (the no power for 9 days year!) 

Halloween 2012

Halloween 2013 

Halloween 2014

Halloween 2015

Halloween 2016

Halloween 2017

Halloween and Where I've Been

Oh goodness - how did?! 

Well here's what's been going on - all good - but a really full life. 

On Halloween night (not my favorite holiday - I adore fall but by Halloween I just can't wait to pack up all of that fall decor and start on Christmas! 

So I did - because it makes me happy to start that early. 

November has been full of: 

1. Report Cards were due

2. Parent / Teacher conferences (whoa! I'm so wiped out by the end of that week!)

3. Decorating for Christmas some every single night (makes me so happy) 

4. Concerts (we had one at Holy Cross) (one orchestra one for Abigail) (and one chorus one for Abigail)

5. I'm hosting Thanksgiving

So the hours have been full! But wonderful. 

Here is a peek at our Halloween: 

Last October Weekending

Relaxing (and feasting)

Every Friday evening my pizza sauce (that simmered all evening Thursday) and dough that rose on Thursday evening is turned into the yummiest Friday treat for dinner. 

We are all always so tired on Friday night and this is something we always look forward to. 

Treating

Every Saturday we watch something and have a special dessert. 

Our TV is only on one evening a week (Saturday) 

Watching

Love this view from our dining room window

and this view from our back yard patio

Carving and Missing (Anna) 

Planning (the week ahead) 

Starting (on Christmas)

While they were carving a pumpkin outside I was starting on Christmas. I have so many completely different ways I'd like to decorate this season and I need to start early since I'm teaching all day long - I started by making homemade salt dough ornaments. 

Can't wait to show you what I do with these! 

Visiting

Dinner -ing

Halloween-ing

Halloween