Hey y'all. It's November and you know what that means... Hallmark movies and Christmas carols are finding themselves a space up in here! Let's recap a little Halloween shall we?
Leading up to the big day, Emmerson's crafting reached new levels thanks to art hub for kids.
Put this child in a room with paper and markers, glue or tape and she is one happy camper.
On Friday night, Halloween Eve, our cousins came over for our own festive celebration. This Halloween was obviously different as our county put restrictions on Trick or Treating or large gatherings. But we still made it the very best we could!
How cute are they? They were soooo happy to be together.
Mom whipped up some Pinteresty goodness.
And Gram donned her cute little pumpkin costume.
We played games.
Emmerson and Gram made a pin the nose on the jack-o-lantern game outside.
And candy, lots of candy!
Jonathan and Jill spent the night at my Mom and Dad's and the girls stayed here with us. I was SO tired after a long work week that I am pretty sure I fell asleep before the kids did.
Halloween was on a Saturday this year. We had a very relaxed morning and day.
In the afternoon we started to get dressed in our costumes. Emmerson was a 50's girl in her poodle skirt. (She called herself an American Girl doll after seeing one dresses similarly in a catalogue).
Taylor was an adorable little pumpkin this year.
Like her best buddy, Gram.
And Donovan was a creepy mask that he saw on Amazon. So long years of Mickey Mouse and baseball players. Waaaa! He was very proud of his spooky look.
Even mom got in on the fun this year!
The evening was very mellow. We set up the movie screen out front and watched Hocus Pocus with a few neighbors. It was nice sitting out front and chatting with neighbors as they walked by. The kids never once complained that couldn't trick or treat. It seems that we have all grown accustomed to the new normals of a pandemic. But all in all it was a very mellow and fun Halloween.
On Sunday we did a little family walk at a local park that we hadn't been to in a long time. It felt so good to be out of the house, away from work, and enjoying some gorgeous scenery.
Sunday night we had our usual family supper and Dad and I wrapped up a book study we had been doing online with church for the past 5 weeks.
Then the work week began and students were officially welcomed back for the first time in 8 months.
It's still a work in progress and we're all adjusting. It was so sweet seeing the students in person finally. The class is split into two halves. Monday we meet online altogether. Then Tuesday and Thursday I meet with "Cohort A" and Wednesday and Friday I meet with "Cohort B." It's sweet having Emmerson back at school with me a few days a week and Donovan will start next week. There are so many limitations teaching this way, but we're making it work and for now, just happy to have some normalcy away from the screen.
Emmerson has still been happily crafting with a little group of friends at the park on her stay at home days.
And Donovan has loved playing with his buddies on his stay at home days which sadly will come to an end for him as his two besties are in the opposite cohort from him. Boo!
And now... it's November and we are counting down the days until our Thanksgiving break. Grammie flew home today after being with us for a whole month. She will be missed so much in these weeks leading up to our trip up north to see her again.
Giving thanks today for election results, restored hope, and a cold, blustery weekend that feels perfectly festive for welcoming the holiday season.
Cheers to you and yours.
