Happy Halloween

We had an awesome Halloween this year in our new neighborhood here in Texas.  First of all we didn't need any coats, jackets, mittens, hats or rain gear.  That makes trick or treating a little easier.  

It seemed our whole neighborhood and the adjacent neighborhood were really in the spirit of things and there was a very fun, festive vibe in the air.

About 30 minutes before trick or treating started Charlie decided to dress up.  Pretty great costume for a last minute idea...check it out...

Daddy...AKA Michael Phelps (you can all thank me now that Charlie doesn't own a Speedo), and Brooke the Geisha Girl. As soon as she saw this costume she HAD to have it.

Here we have Miles in his original creation with help from dad...Rubik's cube....he was quite a neighborhood hit.  Zach was a super stealth ninja.  He actually modified a costume and added a sword pack for a great ninja look.

 

And since this is what it's all about...here is just some of the candy Charlie and I will be pilfering later.  YUMMY!

So, now, Brooke is at a friend's house, Miles and Zach are watching Strange Brew and another successful Halloween has come to pass.  

Gotta run...I'm on the hunt for Tootsie rolls and Milky Ways.

****Note edited Saturday morning to add the following...

I was so eager to get the kids pics out for all to see I forgot to mention a few other tidbits.

Miles and Zach trick or treated by themselves (they stayed together) for the first time EVER. We live in a very safe neighborhood and the adjacent neighborhood is also nice and the houses are very close together so they were able to get way too much candy quite easily. Zach said to me on the way up to bed, after watching Strange Brew, "Thanks for letting us trick or treat by ourselves. It made me feel like you think we are mature and responsible. It made me feel older." AAAAhhh, he just melts my heart sometimes. 

On the flip side, Miles, who hadn't heard Zach, said "It was weird being out on Halloween without you and dad and Brooke, it kinda felt strange." Again, melts my heart...Miles loves the tradition of things. 

Now, all together different is Brooke. I took her through most of our neighborhood and then she found one of her friends and wanted to finish trick or treating with her and her family. Then she ended up having a sleepover with a friend, which at 11 pm moved to a different friend's house. She's all about being super social and having FUN....with or without mom and dad. She's probably more independent than the boys put together. 

Can I just say I have dream kids. Really great kids...oh they cause a ruckus sometimes and they certainly aren't perfect, but they are as close as it gets.

Finally, the funniest thing that happened while Charlie and I were giving out candy was that some older, young teen kids were trick or treating at our neighbors house and decided to cut across our lawn to come to our house...just as the group of 6 of them got half way through our yard, our sprinkler system, which is on a timer, went off and got them wet. It was completely by coincidence, but it was hysterical. Everyone in the immediate area thought it was fabulous.  It was pretty funny!