halloween weekend

Thursday

We went to the special Halloween storytime at the Siloam library. Liam was very excited to wear his tiger costume (Thanks, Tia Molly), to see all of the kids in costume, to sing pumpkin songs, to hear a spooky story, and most exciting of all, to get some candy.

 

Friday

Both boys were still taking their afternoon nap when the annual Downtown Trick or Treat began. I decided that if one of them were to wake up, I'd wake the other so we could walk down. When River woke up about 30 minutes later, I woke a still sleepy Liam, dressed him in his costume, plunked him in the wagon, and headed downtown.

He didn't seem to mind, especially since he got some candy to munch on. Make that a lot of candy...

Saturday

Time for the pumpkin patch. Barely, since there weren't many left to choose from at Ranalli Farms in Tontitown. Apparently, the day before Halloween is not the best time to try and find a pumpkin. Gabriel gave me lots of I-told-you-so's.

Despite the slim pickings, we still had fun traipsing around and choosing a pumpkin. We told Liam he could choose any one he wanted, and we ended up with a 50 cent gourd (and later a big Jack-O-Lantern from Wal-Mart). 

River liked the pumpkin stems the best. 
 

Gabriel showed off his juggling skills.

 

Another attempt at a family photo. Where's Liam? NOT participating no matter how much we pleaded.

 

Sunday

After church in the morning, it was time to carve our pumpkin faces. Liam was very very very excited about this.

Gabriel was, too. I told you if you made a goofy face I'd post the picture...

 

At first, Liam wasn't so sure about the slimey innards, but he got over it.

 

River enjoyed his own piece of pumpkin.

 

After the pumpkin carving, we decided completely last minute to drive out to Tulsa for the zoo's Halloween festivities.

We made it in time for an hour or so at the zoo before they closed the park in preparation for HallowZOOeen later in the evening.

 

Liam was happy to show Gabriel around the zoo. We made all of the favorite stops, including a ride on the train. 

The big fish are always a hit.

 

Our little gnome likes them, too.

Some animals we usually don't get a chance to see were out and about this time. The rhinos were up nice and close.

And so was the jaguar. 

 

And then he noticed River in the wagon. This is the you-look-like-a-tasty-snack face. Scary!

 

The snow leopard cub wanted to play. Cute cute cute.

 

After a quick ride on the turtle, we left the zoo for dinner at Whole Foods and returned a while later for HallowZOOeen.

 

Since the Ergo baby carrier was mistakenly left at home, I needed to come up with some other way to carry River around once he fell asleep. I improvised with my favorite handknit shawl, and it worked wonderfully.

 

There were trick or treating stations throughout the zoo. Liam thought it was great: riding in the wagon, holding up his basket, and getting even more candy, which he steadily ate for the entire two hours we were at the zoo.

 

This bean bag game was also a lot of fun for him.

 

By the time the evening was over, we had one sleepy little tiger, and a sound asleep little gnome.

 

When we finally got home, our pumpkins were waiting to greet us.

 

I hope your Halloween was as fun-filled as ours.

Now, if only I could get Liam to stop requesting more candy 10 times a day...

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