One, Two, Three: Happy Halloween! Trick or Treat!

 So it isn't taking me as long to post this time around!  And boy have I got some great pictures.  We went all out for Halloween this year.  

Lola was Poppy (with pink hair!) and Moana, and Elsa, and briefly, a pirate, and even more briefly, a Birthday Detective.  The boys were Bruce Lee and Woody and Buzz.  I was inspired to wear my astronaut costume (purchased three years ago) but yet again failed to don attire, due to a combination of hectic scheduling on my part and excitement-induced anxiety tantrums on Lola's part.  Maybe next year it will happen.  Michael has an astronaut suit also (this was back when I was coordinated enough to buy him, me and Lola matching costumes) but he informs me he is never wearing a costume.  Some people are so not fun.

Our festivities kicked off on Thursday, the 28th, when we went to The American Club's fabulous Halloween Party.  They hold it over two nights at the Club and it is hands down one of their best events (for kids).  They have booths set up with face painters, clay makers, paper cutters, wax hand makers, tattoo and craft stands with tattoos, coloring, and projects.  There is a stage with entertainment and it was emceed (this year by Captain America and Elastigirl) and the buffet food is enormous.  They bring in smoke machines that billow green smoke over the pool and turn the whole thing an eerie neon green, and turn the Eagles' Nest into a spooky haunted house.  Every decorative touch is thoughtfully prepared, from pumpkins to spiderwebs to bloody hand-print splattered table cloths, to the most beautifully decorated Halloween cookies and treats. It's crowded, hectic and awesome.  

Someone got her face painted and was very, very excited about it.

We tried the wax hand dip but Lola didn't like having to keep her hand completely still in warm/hot wax.  Maybe next year.

We invited Lola's friend this year and the girls had a lot of fun together.  Lola got a clay pumpkin and a beautiful clay spider, as well as the most adorable Elsa crown.  She loved it so much she refused to wash it off and slept with it on.  It was so sweet.   As I said, very, very excited.

On Friday, Al dressed up for playgroup as Buzz.  Sadly, due to Teo being sick and skipping playgroup, I have none of Teo in Woody costume at Fairchild.  These costumes were great because they were essentially pajamas.  Their school had asked for a "friendly" Halloween, meaning no weapons and no scary masks and (1) a costume, (2) pajamas, or (3) pink (to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness month), and bonus points if all three.  I figured we hit two out of three, not bad!

That Friday night, Lola dressed up as Poppy the troll and she and I went to the Aberdeen Marina Club with our friends to enjoy their Halloween festivities.  They had a whole floor for play, with various booths set up so the kids could collect toys and treats as they cycled through the activities.  We then went to eat dinner, and Lola seriously overstayed her bedtime because we didn't leave until nearly 8:30 pm.  She was so excited though, because she got to run around the club going to all of the restaurants and asking for candy.  She's a fan of this trick or treating thing!

On Saturday we were actually pretty devoid of Halloween activities, but Lola turned plenty of heads wearing her Poppy pink wig and outfit onto the ice for her ice skating lesson.

In the afternoon we went to Exchange Square and ran around, before making it to Legoland (Michael's first time)!  Lola was over the moon to introduce her dad to all the new and exciting events.

Legoland was a bit stressful with three little kids running in three different directions, but we ended up making it work.  Lola and Michael mostly went to activities together, and Al, Teo and I hung out.

I was super grateful for the rare time to chill with them.  I think Michael felt the same way.

We ended Saturday night by going to dinner at American Club in town and here is a very blurry but meaningful candid shot showing just how happy and loving Lola was being toward her daddy, and how much he was enjoying it in return.

On Sunday morning, Lola took a turn in a unicorn angel Halloween outfit in the early morning, then changed into Moana for a spooky minisport Halloween program, before finally reprising her Poppy outfit one more time for Halloween 2021.

We finally ended our epic Halloween weeklong celebration in the best place of all, Happy Valley lower village where all the shops turn out with generous baskets of candy and welcome everyone from the neighborhood (and beyond).  The kids loved it.  Al and Teo also had their first lollipops, oh boy!