Saturday, October 30, 2010

Pre-Halloween

This year we have had a lot of Halloween activities leading up to the day itself.  I think it is confusing Cairo a little because each day she is asking, "Is it Halloween today?"  and we tell her no, then dress her up in her costume and take her trick or treating or to some carnival.

Halloween 2010
Friday, 10/29
Costume Parade at school and Fall Harvest celebration- All the classes marched around the courtyard, sat and sang songs, and then headed back inside for a party- cupcakes and all.  Yum!


Holding hands with the little girls in her class.

Singing Songs

I thought this was funny.  As I was sitting there taking pictures I looked back at the other parents and started to crack up at all the cameras.  I wonder what the kids thought of this view.



Showed the kids costumes off at work- After taking Jonah to the doctor (we waited there FOREVER!) I had enough time to pick Cairo up and show the kids off at work before getting them home for lunch and naps.




Bradoaks Halloween Carnival- A great fundraiser done by the local elementary school (the one I went to).  After the kids (Cairo, Jonah, and Xander) were up from their naps we walked down to the school.  We only intended on staying for a half hour, but there was so much to do we stayed for two hours.  There were tons of games and activities.  We picked out two pumpkins from the pumpkin patch, went down the huge blow up slide (twice), did face painting, played lots of games, and had something to eat while we enjoyed the music.  The place was packed.

Walking down to the carnival

Eating some dinner

Trying to get a good family picture.  No go- Cairo, Jonah.

Take 2- Erik!!!  Grrrr....

Take 3-  Cairo Raine!  I give up...

This year's pumpkins!




Cairo got these socks as a gift... she loves them.


Saturday 10/30
Boo at the Zoo- The next morning we headed for the zoo. Because we are zoo members, we got to get in an hour and a half early to enjoy the Halloween festivities- petting creepy crawly creatures and trick-or-treating.  We also got to enjoy the animals.  Jonah especially liked a monkey that was yelling and making a huge ruckus.  Cairo was sure that the lion was going to dress up like a picture, but, alas, he didn't.  Maybe next year.  Erik and I got a kick out of the hippo and its big butt.  I am not sure why Erik and I found it so funny... maybe Halloween brings out the kid in us both.  :o)











He he he.  A hippo butt.  He he he...

If Jonah was going to be a cat, it would be a Jaguar.  Look at its short legs.

Vulture.




Community Carnival and Trick-or-Treating in Downtown Monrovia- After naps, we headed down to Myrtle Ave and Library Park.  They close down the downtown streets and trick-or-treaters flood the area to go trick-or-treating from business to business.  At the park kids get to enjoy free games and activities, a pumpkin carving contest (maybe in a few years), and a costume contest.  We missed most of the costume contest, but we did get in some good trick-or-treating and game playing.  We finished the afternoon off with some dinner at the Monrovian Family Restaurant.


On the way back to the car we passed by the fire station and we saw this sign.  I couldn't resist putting my three year old in front of it....

Pumpkin Carving- All the kids helped Uncle Paul carve his pumpkin.  Jonah was very enthusiastic and kept telling everyone to move.  He wanted to do it his self, but Xander and Cairo managed to do their fair share of pumpkin gutting.  None for me thankyouverymuch!  I hate the smell of raw pumpkin.








... all that and it isn't even Halloween yet.... until tomorrow!

Monday, October 25, 2010

Oh, Guinness

Guinness can be pushy, stubborn, and jumpy, but he is a very sweet boy at heart.  He absolutely ADORES the kids and gives the license to cuddle and crawl all over him... and Jonah loves him back with equal enthusiasm.









Though my dogs aren't perfectly trained, though they aren't that smart, they are extremely sweet and really good dogs.  The love to be loved and they love their kids.  Guinness and Sienna are very patient with the kids and are, surprising, gentle.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Homecoming


I haven't been back for a homecoming game at Monrovia High School since I graduated.  I have several former students playing on the team, not to mention those on the cheerleading squad, in the band, and those on the homecoming court.  Several of my coworkers and I decided it would be fun to go out and support our former students.  So, on Friday night I loaded Cairo up into the car and met them at the game.

This was Cairo's first sporting event.  She was in seventh heaven!  She loved the cheering and clapping.  She loved seeing the cheerleaders with their pretty uniforms and bows in their hair.  My coworkers spoiled her with junk food, glowing bracelets, and those foam hand thingies (see pictures).... and Cairo got to stay up until almost 10pm!  We left the game a little early (Monrovia was smashing the other team- final score 50 something to 0).  On the way home all Cairo could do was tell me how much fun it was and she wanted to know when we could go to a football thingy again.


Our Homecoming crowd- Front: Nedra, Lisa, Cairo; Back: Kristen, Jen, Adam (or is it Aiden?), Micah, Aiden (or is it Adam?), Stephanie

Around the House

The kids keep busy around the house, playing with various toys.  Jonah likes to dress up- especially with hats and masks.  One day he decided that goggles were the thing and wore them around for a half hour.


J Bear and his current favorite- Daddy.


Cairo enjoyed playing with mega blocks one day and created a Daddy, Mommy, and Baby giraffe.