It seems that 3 is the beginning of the magic age for holidays. The girls didn't remember last Halloween but the more we talked about it (costumes, candy, trick-or-treating, CANDY), the more excited they got.
Yee-Haw!
I used the power of suggestion to influence their choice of costumes (b/c how CUTE are they??). I'm sure my days of having thematic halloweens are numbered, so I'll make the most of it while I can.
As a Halloween warm-up, we went to Rob's firm party. And man, do those YetterColeman folks know how to throw a party!
The theme this year was Frozen, complete with Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, and Olaf. All of the kids were totally star-struck.
Kristoff making balloon characters
These people were AWESOME. They stayed in character the entire time--even when we ran into them in the parking lot on the way out.
Anna painting arms
Elsa, too.
SO happy
The pièce de résistance was when Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff acted out an abbreviated version of the movie. The only thing they didn't abbreviate was a full-throttle rendition of Let It Go. And it was really, legitimately good! The kids thought they had died and gone to heaven.
The entire room was so into it!
The party was such a big success that I was a little worried actual, normal trick-or-treating would be a let-down. But with a consistent intake of sugar, we made it through our church trunk-or-treat as well as a decent portion of the neighborhood in very good spirits.
Their trusty steeds (Max & Kuka) made it the whole way too
I think that Halloween kind of lags behind other holidays between ages 10 and whatever-age-you-are-when-your-kids-turn-3. And then, it's awesome again. :) Can't wait for next year!
The view from Dad's office--it's never been cuter!
Whenever anybody in the family hears that Jacqueline is coming to town, somehow it turns into a party!
Cutest baby ever? Probably.
This time Jacqueline was flying in for a few days before helping a friend drive back up to UT. And Mom & Dad were here house-hunting. And Grandma Ada/Grandpa Bob were wonderful to make the trip from CA to visit their great-grandbabies. And Grandma Emma from NV paused her busy cruising schedule to complete the party.
She always has something exciting to say!
I felt so blessed to have so much uninterrupted time with my grandparents. I don't get to see them very often, and when I do it's usually in the midst of a wedding or a family reunion. This trip we had about a week of relaxed excursions with plenty of downtime to talk, play in the driveway, and make some great memories.
Jacques had endless bubble-blowing energy. What a good sport!
I loved hearing stories about my Grandpa Bob's career as a firefighter, my Grandma Ada whipping the PTA into shape, and Grandma Emma's plans for the next phase of her life. And I really loved watching my kids learn to love their great-grandparents. Even shy Caroline was won over in the end.
Total concentration
While they were here we went down to Galveston & the beach, to the NASA museum, to the Children's Museum, the park, and a few other places I'm probably not remembering. It was just the perfect amount of busy.
My beautiful mother
Usually when guests leave I kind of breathe a sigh of relief, but this time I was just sad the party had to end. Maybe next time Jacqueline will plan a trip to visit another family member and we'll be the ones tagging along!
How YOU doin'?
Families are the best. And THANK YOU, everyone, for coming to see us!
