Why Halloween 2016 Was The Best One Yet

Oh, Halloween. You are so fun, but so tiring. My children have had approximately 536 opportunities to wear their beloved costumes before you even arrived and thus, bribery occurred on your actual debut because by then they didn't care one bit about said costume (I say "they" but I really mean my youngest child who shall remain nameless). You have come and gone and it was a grand time, but we happily wave you farewell until next year because the post sugar crash and burn is legit (I lost count how many marshmallows Camille ate last night). 

. . . 

We kicked off Halloween with Camille's school party last Thursday. This year she chose Doc McStuffins or as she calls it, "Dr's office." This is the first year she has had an opinion about her outfit, or even grasped the idea of trick-or-treating, and it really was the cutest thing to watch. 

Camille and her little friend, Avery, at preschool. . .

Sweet friends in her class (also church friends), Zane and Sloane  . . .

While Camille enjoyed her class party, by that afternoon she was acting puny and had a temp of 102.3. The fever lasted through Friday, which derailed our plans to attend our church's annual fall festival.

By Saturday she was fever free and fully back to her spunky self, so we hit up a different festival at the church where Camille goes to school.

The Dr. and Super Girl . . . or as Camille likes to say "Super Girl and Dr.'s Office to the rescue!!!"

Clara's school spent the last hour of the school day the past two weeks training the kids on the in's and out's of trick-or-treating. They did this last year, too. But you guys, this year it really clicked for Ms. Clara and I about died and went to heaven. Do you see this??? Carrying her bucket like a boss.

Each day at 2pm the staff would change Clara into her costume and take her around campus to trick-or-treat. They taught her how to knock, sign for the word "candy," and how to follow this up with "thank you," all while carrying her bucket. Clara knows how to knock and knows the sign for thank you but putting all of these steps in the correct order?? That is a whole new ball game.

It is crazy that something like trick-or-treating has to be taught step-by-step for kids like Clara. Or I guess what is truly wild is how easy it is for some kids, kids like Camille. Raising a typical child alongside a non-typical child keeps me grounded in terms of not taking "automatic learning" for granted.

I chose Super Girl for Clara's costume this year because, duh, she is one. . .

Camille's bestie (and family) from preschool last year met us at the festival. So fun to spend some time with Molly and crew!

 It was 850 degrees (because Houston) so costumes were shed in .5 seconds. . .

Last night we joined our neighborhood friends for the annual Halloween block party. It was a blast!! Tons of families and tons of food! A good time was had by all. We gathered a little after 5pm for dinner and then headed out to trick-or-treat a little before 7pm.

And she's off . . .

 I spy Clara showing off her new skills . . .

A sweet neighbor bought all the kids glow necklaces. Such a cute idea! 

What mom? Why are you taking 530 pictures of me?

I dare say this was the best Halloween we've had as a family of four.

Thankful for my girls, fun neighbors, and for little joys like watching both of my children door knock and receive an endless amount of sugar. :-)