Halloween 2013

Halloween this year was so fun.  In 2010 and 2011, we had trick or treated with the Griggs in our neighborhood in Summerville, and it was nice to have a chance to do it one more time.  It was also fun because Charlotte and Anna had both decided independently to dress up as Hermione.  And you know that Luke was going to be Harry!

This picture encompasses their personalities so well!

This next photo series I call, “Charlotte’s Patient Smile”:


And we finally got a normal one:).

Ready for Hogwarts!

The whole gang.  Katie was a pop star from her favorite Barbie cartoon, and John was Dennis the Menace.  I don’t think he appreciated the joke:).

Obligatory trick or treating shot.

And the haul.  The kids didn’t last too long at trick or treating and were quickly ready to come home and dig into their candy.  We also had chili for dinner, and Mrs. Molly had made mummy dogs with the kids earlier.  Afterward, they watched It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, and then it was time to bathe and get ready for bed.  We had a great visit with our friends, and I love all the memories that we made!

Our Class Halloween Party

I don’t know if most public and private school classes had Halloween parties today, but I seem to remember fun class parties in the fall.  Thus, when I happened upon some easy Halloween games on Pinterest, I decided to print them out and bring them to Summerville with us so that we could have our own little party on Halloween!

First, we played a very simple game called, “Don’t Eat Pete.”

You cover all the ghosts with M&M’s, and then one kid leaves the room.  While the child is gone, the others decide which ghost is “Pete” for that round.  Then the kid who left the room comes back in and tries to guess which one is Pete.  You actually want to guess wrong as much as you can because whenever it’s not Pete, you get to eat the M&M.  When you guess Pete, all the kids shout, “Don’t eat Pete!”  And that’s it.  So basic, but lots of fun.  We played several rounds.

Next, it was time for candy corn BINGO:



BINGO is always a hit, and this version was no exception.
Lastly, I brought a game called “Roll a Pumpkin”:

For this game, everyone got a sheet of paper and some orange and black colored pencils, and they took turns rolling the dice and drawing parts on their pumpkin.  The person who got finished first won.  Sometimes, they even had to draw parts on other people’s pumpkins.

Holding up their finished products:


While I was doing the games, Mrs. Molly was busy in the kitchen making a delicious pumpkin/cream cheese roll and getting pumpkin seeds ready to roast.  She also had found a fun treat for the kids to make where you put pretzel sticks in Reese’s cups to make broomsticks:

Predictably, this was a hit. 
About this time, I had to leave to go to a closing on our house in Summerville (PRAISE GOD, GLORY HALLELUJAH!).  I was back in plenty of time, however, to help everyone get ready for trick or treating!

Pumpkin Carving

On Wednesday night, we carved pumpkins with the Griggs and then roasted marshmallows for s’mores in their fire pit outside.  Here are some pictures from the evening:

I love the look that Anna is giving as Mr. Kevin was taking the top off the pumpkin.  They were full of suggestions for him!

The de-gooping process.  The big kids kind of got grossed out this year and all ended up requesting spoons.

I try to take my pictures close up, but here’s what they really looked like from Molly and I’s perspective.

Each family also had a little pumpkin to carve, but the girls decided to all work together.

That left Luke to design his own pumpkin…

…and the girls to have “Ooshy-gooshy play time”—their words.

Anna was a little ambitious with her carving pattern.

Katie was fascinated with Luke’s drawing.

So cute!

Carving his first pumpkin.

The finished product.  Any guesses what (who) it is??

Roasting s’mores!  It was such a fun night!

Trip to Charles Towne Landing

On the second day of our Summerville trip, we decided to visit Charles Towne Landing, the site of the first settlement of the Carolina colonies. Our family has been there before, but since Anna was about 18 months old at the time, I know that neither of the kids have any recollection of it. And oh my goodness--we had a fun time.

First of all, the weather was beautiful...as were the native grasses that were planted all around the entrance:

Four happy kids.

Luke was a champ at helping out with John all day.

He also was a champ at climbing trees!

I love this picture of the two oldest. Anna has totally claimed Charlotte as her best friend, but when we lived here, Charlotte and Luke were good buddies as well.

I include this picture as proof that we did actually read some of the signs and learn a few things...

...such as the difference between a cannon and a telescope:).

Katie is still not convinced.

Then we came to the stockades, and those were loads of fun!

So sad that she is being punished.

Katie was trying to be sad...but then she realized that she could easily pull her head and hands out:).

More fun with stockades. It probably wasn't nearly as fun to the people who originally used them!

Partners in crime.

Indentured servants' quarters.

About this time, Anna had to go potty, so we booked it across the grounds to find one. It was a little bit of a walk, so we were excited to get a lift back to our people via a shuttle:

We found them on more cannons:

Then, it was down to the ship:

All aboard!

A nice man was there to explain all about this replica of an 18th century trade ship. We also had a lot of work to do!

For example, Luke had to pump water out of the bottom of the boat.

And we had to steer it!

We also got to look down into the captain's quarters.

Next, we went below deck to look around.

All smiles.

And now, time for a nap in one of the bunks.

More bunk fun.

Lastly, it was back on deck to learn how to raise anchor. It was hard work!

Afterward, we walked to find a picnic spot for lunch...

...followed by another lengthy tree-climbing session.

Mr. Adorable.

Lastly, we ventured into the animal forest to see indigenous animals of the area.

We saw egrets, bison, a puma, an otter, and a bear.

Luke also caught a butterfly.

All told, we were probably there for about four hours, and the kids held up remarkably well. John got fussy at a couple of points, and there was some whining about all the walking, but mostly, the kids were great. And Mollly and I talked about how occasional tears from the kids was just part of these outings at these ages. But it is more than worth it to hear all the laughter and see all the happy  playing. Plus, we got to learn a little history!