Finishing up the Year

2013 is almost gone. To be honest, I'm not too sad to see it go...it was a decent year, as years go, but I'm always excited to see what the future will bring.

While it's still here, though, here's what we've been doing this week:

Putting away Christmas: Sophie got a little tired during the whole process and decided to take a short nap on the Christmas totes. I'm so happy to have the house back to normal. It looks so clean! Although it may be a few months before I convince Jack to take the vinyl nativity off his window. I may just sneak one off every day or so...

Putting up a paper towel holder.

I have spent two-and-a-half years trying to decide where this thing should go...and finally, I know where I want it. So I told Doug to install it, and he kindly did so. Very happy that it has a place to live now. Having it fall into the sink at least once a week was getting a little annoying.

Now that you're caught up with our minor doings, hope you all have a safe and fun New Year's Eve!

A Lost Art: Gratitude

My mother had some pretty strict rules about being grateful for gifts. You had to:

• Thank the giver in person, or
• Write a thank you note.

Preferably both. Although we were only forced to write notes to those we hadn't thanked in person. Calling someone was great, but gratitude was not complete until one of the items above was checked off.

My mother-in-law, I found out after my marriage, was a little more strict. The thank you note was not optional, even if you had thanked the giver in person. The first Christmas I attended at her home was accompanied by an avalanche of thank you cards in the afternoon - even from his teenage brothers. And I thought, "if they can do it, so should I".

Ever since, I've been pretty good about it. There are exceptions:

• Last year. Don't know what happened, but I still have the list of people to thank. Pathetic.
• My wedding. I know what happened here: we moved four times in the first six months of marriage, and the list of givers was lost. I tried to send cards to anyone I remembered, but my memory is a sieve...much more falls through than remains. I found that list, about 10 years later. 

These days, we have email. I'm not sure if my mom would say that counts or not. For me, it certainly does, especially when I'm the giver...it lets me know, first and foremost, that my gifts were received. Since I ship a lot of gifts, this is big for me. I certainly don't want to wonder if people thought I just forgot them!

Let's put this whole thing in perspective: A loved one (or maybe not, whatever) goes to the trouble to not only think of you, but also to buy a gift that they hope you will like, wrap it (or not), and deliver it. Takes a little more than a minute or two, as you and I both know. Sometimes, it takes weeks. Months. The entire year.

As a return to them for all this time and energy they expended on your behalf, you take five minutes - maybe more, maybe less - and type them an email or write a card and stamp it. They now know that the gift has been received, and that you are grateful for the effort and thought that went into the gift. They even know, maybe, how it's being used (for money and gift card gifts, perhaps) and how much you like it (always tactfully stated).

Here's my secret: as we are travelling anywhere for Christmas merriment, be it to the church or to a family get-together, I take along my cards and my list and make out thank you cards. The kids are strapped in, and although they can bother me, they can't jump on me or tug the cards out of my grasp. I can only usually get a few done before taking a break - car sickness sucks - but I manage to get most or all of them done that way. I know, doesn't work so much if you're the driver, but maybe it will give you an idea.

Obviously, I prefer the hand-written note...but that is because I love getting mail that is neither an advertisement or a bill. So I assume others are pretty much the same on that count.

So here's my challenge to everyone in blog-land: write a note. Email or text or card...whatever works for you. Just let people know that you are grateful for that gift. Or even just grateful for a hello on an especially bad day. It will make their day, and it will also make yours. Seriously.

Christmas Eve!

On the off-chance that any of my readers don't receive a Christmas card from me already...here is my Christmas letter for the year.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas...and hopefully I'll have a new post before the new year!

2013: The Year of Travel

Doug & Beckie Hales Family

Since we spent so much time on the road this year, we decided to put together a top 10 favorite destinations. Our favorite part of travelling: the wonderful people we were able to spend time with – especially our own family! For 2014, we may not leave our house. At all.

Top 10 Favorite Destinations for 2013

10.       Tokyo, Japan

This was only Doug, but he was impressed with the cleanliness of the city and the kindness of the people. But mostly, it was different. The family enjoyed helping Doug prep for the trip, placing flash cards in Japanese throughout the house and beyond. The one in the chicken coop was for “cake”. Not sure why.

9.   CornFest, Enterprise, Utah

The last trip of the summer, CornFest was a blast. It’s basically a local farmer’s market, but it is always fun to hang with family and spend money.

8.   New Orleans, Louisiana

Our favorite part of New Orleans was driving over Lake Pontchartrain. The bridge is 13 miles long, and in the middle of the bridge you cannot see the sides of the lake. It’s a little freaky, and it makes you understand how sailors can lose their minds at sea. Luckily, we were on dry land not long after, looking at turtles with moss growing on their backs. Love Louisiana humidity!

7.   Albany, Illinois

Driving through Albany to find the Moundbuilders site, we got caught in a tornado watch. We took shelter at the local firehouse, along with a small family from the town. Most everyone was a little (or a lot) frightened, but the tornado was a no-show and it turned out to be just a wild experience.

6.   Niagara Falls, Niagara, New York

Busy, busy, busy, but really beautiful. This was the one place on our super-long trip that we would for sure like to see again. Luckily, none of the kids jumped. Although Malena offered.

5.   Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming (and Montana)

Here we enjoyed (kind of) long days in the car while we looked for animals. We saw the typical elk, deer, and even got to see a black bear up close. Roasted marshmallows back at the cabin, lots of family time, lots of fun.

4.   Zion National Park, Utah

This is always one of our favorite destinations. We hiked for two days, one of those days with cousins (hooray!). Collin took off on the buses and it was four hours before he rejoined us. Talk about a heart attack for his family.

3.   Beach House, Long Beach Island, New Jersey

The front-runner for all the kids, this was the location of our Andersen family reunion this year. They loved the fishing, the swimming, and basically the chill-out atmosphere of living on the Atlantic Ocean for a week.

2.   Jenkins Cabin, Freedom, Wyoming

Site of the Hales Family Reunion, the kids went tubing in the canal, rafting in a river, and we even watched a movie of the back of a barn. Even better: an airplane dive-bombed the kids with candy. Like they need more of that. And boy-oh-boy, was it cold sleeping in a tent, even in July!

1.    Hales Cabin, Ventura County, California

This is where we spent Thanksgiving. The kids thoroughly enjoyed themselves, even without the internet. Board games, puzzles, visits to the Indian fort and even some authentic Indian caves. Not to mention an amazing Thanksgiving dinner, courtesy of Doug’s mom (aka Omi).

Hope you have a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and a wonderful 2014! We are so grateful for friends and family, and count you as one of our greatest blessings.

Love, the Hales! 

A Little Early, Don't You Think?

Typically, I wait until Christmas Eve to trim the tree. No joke: if I trim it any earlier, the kids tear it apart.

This year, though, I really wanted a decorated tree. Call me crazy (everyone does), but I was just in a Christmas mood. So we decorated the tree...

The kids loved that I let them help...and more than a week before Christmas! Truly a milestone. Here's the finished result:

And we even got a little more Christmas scattered around the house. Poinsettias, with a NOEL nativity:

And my sister made this beautiful quilt for Christmas a few years ago. I hung it over our least favorite window. I wish it were just a little bigger...but I love it anyway.

Wow, I haven't had this much fun decorating in years. Here's hoping the kids enjoy it, too - enough to leave it alone until after Christmas!

Gingerbread Houses

Ummm, really I mean Graham Cracker Houses. Gingerbread is so overrated - it takes forever to make (mix, chill, roll, cut, bake, cool...argh!) - so I love making houses our of readily-available graham crackers.

The kids love it too. This year I went the extra mile and made royal frosting so that everything would stick together better. It worked, too. Those suckers are glued and may never come apart without the intervention of a hammer.

So here are the kids' results for your holiday perusal:

Bonnie went for the McMansion, but refused a picture. So sad, I'm sorry!

Malena, Jack and Sophia were traditional:

And Collin went for a modern version of the holiday house. I am always really impressed by his versions - they show real imagination.

My house never really got started...after all, who else was going to keep the builders supplied with frosting?

How to Peel a Pomegranate

So many of my friends and acquaintances know this, I am super surprised that my family - and Doug's mom - do not. I have always peeled pomegranates sloooowly, over a bowl, and taken the red fingers and enjoyed it along with the sweet/tart fruit.

For Thanksgiving, my mother-in-law provided me with a large bowl and a towel over my clothes (so it wouldn't splatter everywhere), as well as a small bowl for the seeds.Oh, and I can't forget the rubber gloves that she forced over my fingers so they wouldn't stain.

My hand-modeling career was in desperate jeopardy, due to those pomegranates. Thanks to Omi (our nickname for Doug's mom), my hands were spot-free.

Then I came home and blissfully offered to peel a pomegranate for a friend, while chatting away with her at her home. She filled a medium bowl full of water. I was seriously confused.

Taking pity on me, she showed me that if you cut it apart, then plunge it into the water to ruthlessly break it apart, there is no mess. Better yet - the seeds float to the bottom, and the white stuff floats to the top.

I know, "white stuff"? Very technical.

But then you can skim the stuff you don't want off the top, drain the bowl, and enjoy. Of course, you could also cut the top (the flower) off, cut off the bottom, score along all the ridges, and then break it open...but the water way is so fast! And easy, I'm totally into easy.

And no stained fingers, even without gloves. Again, how did I not know this? I don't know. But now I do - and so do you. So enjoy a pomegranate!

It's That Time of the Year Again...

Actually, it's a little later than "that time"...time to plant garlic!

Yes, I know it's December. According to the calendar, though, I still have two weeks or so of autumn before winter gets here. According to the sky, probably not that long. But whatever, still early enough to get garlic in the ground.

The garlic I grew two years ago has really spoiled me for anything but homegrown garlic. I purchased a few bulbs from Burpee (thinking they were very expensive). Those bulbs, though, have proliferated. Truly, garlic is the easiest thing to grow - pull it apart, plant it and wait until spring. Very little watering is even involved (perfect for me, the non-water-er).

Here's my current stash, less the few braids already used since July:

I actually braided a few...then got tired of it.

And put the rest of them in a basket.

And here's my newly planted garlic garden:

The sage and chives are looking a little wilted from the frost

I decided not to plant quite so many this year, since I really have more than I can handle. I'll probably give away several as Christmas presents. What says Merry Christmas more than a braid of garlic, after all?

Maybe I should throw in a wooden stake, a Bible and a cross for extra measure? Hehehe...

The Fish Bowl

After installing new french sliding doors, and throwing away the (broken) plantation blinds that went with the old french doors, we were left with a wide expanse of open window.

From which we could see a lot of open road. Meaning, whoever drove on that road could see directly into our home, especially at night. Yikes!

Collin explained it to Jack this way: "If we're running around naked, everyone can see us!" Personally, I'm wondering how often that happens, since I haven't seen it, at least not in the dining room...but then, they always save the exciting stuff for the neighbors, right?

Anyhoo, fish bowl windows = need for curtains. I hightailed it to JoAnn's to buy material when we got close to purchasing a new slider - this was before I broke my leg. Then it sat, and sat. Then we ordered the slider. Hmmm, maybe I should start on those curtains? So I cut them out, including lining. Except, oops, I only had enough lining for three panels - and I needed to make four.

Pretty material makes me happy

Back to JoAnn's. The next week (or so), I cut out that final liner. And then it sat again.

While Doug was installing the slider, I again thought about making those curtains. Hmmm, I should make curtains. I was, however, at the end of a John Grisham book, so that came first (duh!). Once that was finished, I reluctantly started on them curtains. Sigh.

Doug actually had to leave at this point to put in his second water heater of the week - the cabin we stayed in for Thanksgiving had a dead water heater when we moved in, and then his brother's water heater also gave out once we returned home. Must be some sort of water heater virus knocking them out state to state, huh? With Doug gone, I finished two of those curtain panels.

There are still blinds in the side windows, so no need to actually finish the project, right?

Yup, feeling lazy this week. I mean, year. Anyway. Doug wants to hang them from the ceiling with a wooden rod so that we don't have the inevitable "bump" that comes with the adjustable rods. Fine with me, you do that, honey. Do we have a custom-made curtain rod done, you ask? Nope.

So we used an adjustable curtain rod that was hanging about downstairs, and "temporarily" hung those curtains on the untrimmed boards around the new slider.

The curtains are so heavy, the rod bends in the middle

Held open using the blind cords -
keeps them up and out of little fingers!

At least we're not in a fish bowl anymore. Maybe we'll be a little more motivated. Next week. I mean, year. Hehehe.

Note: the figures on the window are Jack's vinyl nativity set. I couldn't break his heart by taking them down, so now it looks like there's a swarm of little insects on the door. Oh, well.

Frenchie! Slidey! Lovely!

Once upon a time (a few days ago), we had french doors. With broken blinds. Attractive.

They were also metal doors, on the west side of an un-shaded house. Sadly, they warped. Even sadder, they were not installed correctly, missing some exterior trim, so they were drafty around the edges, and along all sides of each door. Awww, sad doors.

Now, you know that Doug could never allow any door that made our electricity bills go any higher (again, not that they are very high, honestly). He looked into a ton of options, brought out someone for a custom quote (nixed), and finally decided to go standard at the Home Depot.

We deep-sixed the french door idea - the custom quote guy noted that any metal door on that side of the house will eventually warp. Also, there isn't really a way to keep insects at bay when they are open, so we have had to choose: air flow with insects, no air flow and no insects. The latter usually won. But we really like opening the house. So, we decided on a slider, and to make it a little more stylish, went with the french sliders. Essentially, a wider trim around the windows.

Another big decision: the current doors were a custom size. To use a standard size, we (Doug) would have to build in the opening a bit. We went with standard: way easier to change out later if we decide on something different in 15 years. Or 10. Or 5...

The built-in area to house the new door size

We ordered it, and expected it two weeks later. Three-and-a-half weeks later (!), we picked up the door...

and Doug installed it.

Mostly. True to form, it's not completely done...there's still siding to install and a lot of trim to do. But the house is much more comfortable, being less drafty.

Exterior shot - yes, those stairs also need attention

Interior shot

The kids are also thoroughly excited to have something new to try out. Heaven help us.

Progress on Pants

Finally, Bonnie acquiesced. She modeled her new pants, the ones that she is convinced she will never wear:

Personally, if I spent so much time on them, she had better wear them. At least once. Especially since these specific pants have such a great line, making her legs look longer, her waist thinner, and generally looking like a real set of trousers. As opposed to the workout clothes she generally wears.

I'll keep hoping - if she decides to actually wear them, I'll make her another pair.

Malena also decided to get into the act, having tried on her own skirt now that Sophie has relinquished hold of it:

She actually wore this to church yesterday, so at least something is getting used! Gotta love girls and their being picky about clothes!

Birth of Chaos

Early morning phone calls freak me out. Usually bad news. On Sunday, usually bad news or someone asking you to substitute at church (which could also be bad news, or good, depending).

So I was a little worried this morning at 7 am when the phone rang. It was Doug's brother, calling to say "Today was the birth of chaos!" Chaos = Doug.

Yup, happy birthday, honey! In celebration, I decided to put together yet another collage. I love these things! This is all the kindergarten pictures of the kids juxtaposed with Doug's picture from kindergarten. Ooooh, so cute!

Don't you think Jack is the spitting image of his dad? With the red hair excepting, of course. Obviously, Sophia hasn't had a kindergarten photo yet - and I couldn't find Collin's - so those don't exactly fit the pattern. This was the youngest picture of Doug I have, though, so you'll forgive the inconsistencies, yes?

Here's to another great year with the love of my life!

Models, Not Enthusiastic

Last week, I promised pictures of my creations...I made two pair of pants for Bonnie (my picky teenager) and a skirt for Malena (my not-so-picky tween).

Couldn't get either of them to model for me, though. I swear, they are just so stubborn sometimes (wonder where they get that from?)!

Well, here's the 411 on Bonnie's pants. We have been shopping uptown and downtown and everywhere in-between for pants and shoes for this girl. She is so picky, though - it has to be very comfortable the minute she tries it on, or it is a reject. I finally just bought her shoes online, and she actually liked three of those pair. A miracle, let me tell you.

The pants, though, I wasn't having any luck at all, even online. So I went to JoAnn's and picked out two patterns. The first could be made in comfy materials for a pajama pant, or more day-to-day knits, like a workout or legging-type pant. The second was a more structured pant, but still very comfortable.

So I started on the first, having picked out pajama-like material. That way, even if it doesn't turn out exactly perfect, she can just wear it to bed, right?

Here's the problem with ultra-cuddle fleece: you cannot see your seam, or pick it out should you accidentally make any mistakes. Not that I would do that, right? I have been sewing for over thirty years (okay, that sounded like a really long time, but I did start in second grade). Oh my, did I make a few mistakes. I put the pockets on the wrong way. Couldn't unpick it, so I had to cut it off. Then I realized that I even cut it out wrong, due to my insistence upon not cutting up the pattern. That's right: I left all those other lines on there and tried to cut between the pattern and the material. And chose the wrong line to cut. After readjusting a little, the pants were going to be too short.

Pretty much a fiasco. But they did end up not only finished, but with Bonnie wearing them:

See? A little short. You can also see the pooky pockets, since my alterations did not add up to a flat pocket. Goofy job, there.

The skirt for Malena went much more smoothly...until I wanted her to model for me. She stepped on something - or got bit by some insect - on the balls of both feet on Thursday. Then had an allergic reaction to whatever it was, and is now staying off her feet because it itches and/or hurts. Suck it up, sweetie. I know, nice mom, huh? Believe me, four days of moaning will drive anyone to distraction.

Back to the skirt. While I was making it, Sophia kept asking, "That mine?" and I kept promising, "You can try it on, but it's Malena's." To which she replied "Okay!" So she was my model. Although she didn't want to stand still enough to get a good picture.

She did take a bow, though. And was a little excited, in case you can't tell. She got so into the whole modelling process, she decided to model Malena's boots, while she was at it...

And Jack tried to get into the action by interrupting that picture. Crazy kids.

Like I said, there is one more pair of pants that is finished. If I ever get Bonnie to try them on, you'll be the first to see it. I know, Good. Luck.

Hope you have a great Thanksgiving week - we're going into non-internet land for much of it, so not sure I'll be able to post for 'ya. But I am so thankful for all of my readers (be they family or friends)!

Here a Little, There a Little

Doug has been crossing more things off his list. He did, for example, finish finishing the handrail for our stairs. It's finished and re-installed. Just in time for me to start going up and down the stairs again!

He also put up a new rail on the garage stairs. This is especially helpful, as those stairs do not have an equal distance from step to step (the riser is different heights). Nearly everyone trips on it the first time they use it, so this rail will come in handy. Pun intended. Oh, and this one? He finished it before he installed it.

The trim for the master bathroom was finally finished, too. Whoa. Seriously, he's on a roll.

Side Note: Sorry the picture is so fuzzy. My little camera phone does the best it can...which sometimes isn't very good. Our real camera went missing a few months ago.

And he primed it before putting it in. Maybe he really didn't know that finishing something before installing was much easier than finishing it afterwards. Huh. I get so used to Doug being the expert at this stuff, I forget that even he is learning on some of it.

Me, I've been working on some sewing projects...I'll share those later this week, since I have two that are almost finished...as in, just-pull-out-basting-stitches-and-make-the-girls-try-it-on finished. I have actually been doing more than just sitting around, feeling sorry for myself and my taking-its-time-to-heal leg.

Not much more, but there you are. Or rather, there I am. Hope you're being a little more productive than me lately (it wouldn't be hard)!!!

Jack Attack is Six!

And he was a VIK this week (Very Important Kindergartner). It was so adorable - I got to share a few things about Jack:

• He loves to sing (he sang a witch song from Halloween to his class)
• He loves karate (he did his Star Block for them)
• He loves Ninja Turtles (who doesn't?)
• He was born in South Carolina (they didn't know where that was)

Love the funny face

Then they all shared their favorite things about Jack. Mostly, they all said that they loved it when Jack played with them - tag, games, you name it. I love kindergartners, they are so positive - except for when they're hurt - and ready for almost anything.

Specifically, I love my kindergartner. Jack is just so much fun to have around. Hooray for another year!

And This is How I Feel About Birthdays

I found this picture and couldn't resist...it is so me!

Tongue sticking out and everything. So for my birthday, I thought I would try and find pictures of all my kids and me at about the same age. I know, good luck, right?

Well, hah! I actually found them all. They all look a little like me, huh? Now, don't you start thinking I'm getting baby hungry again. That ship has sailed, I am very happy with the five I have (I mean, really, no need to get greedy, right?).

In other news, my orthopedic surgeon said I didn't need surgery - just more time to heal. Huge sigh of relief. So all is well with my leg and I am not freaking out anymore. Once again, a freakout that didn't need to be, but it's past and all is well again!

Happy birthday to me!

Somethin' To Hang Onto

So many people have asked me: "Why didn't you hold onto the railing when going down those stairs?" Referring, of course, to my spill and subsequent injury a few weeks ago.

The answer is simple: there wasn't a railing to hold onto. The joy of buying a house that is not finished is, well, that you get to make your own choices and finish it the way you want it. The downside, of course, is that there are lots of things missing. Such as handrails on stairs.

Doug decided after my fall that, perhaps, we did actually need a railing down them stairs. Pathetic, but effective, I guess. So we took Jack to Home Depot and found us a railing.

He loves riding on those orange carts. He is constantly in motion, which is why the picture is a little blurry - sorry about that. The last thing the guy said to us in Home Depot: Make sure you finish it before you hang it! Doug was offended. I laughed, and said something along the lines of "Well, duh!"  Doug just gave me a look.

When we got home, Doug started measuring and putting up the brackets.

The kids got a kick out of the chalk line (I have been erasing chalk off my tile since), and obviously Jack loved that I was taking pictures. The "ham" trait is definitely genetic. Then Doug placed the railing on the brackets like so...

And made me make sure I liked it. Not bad, Doug, Not bad.With my approval, he cut the ends so they were nicely contoured:

And screwed the railing into the brackets. Did he finish it, like the guy at Home Depot admonished him to? Oh, no. Well, not immediately. It sat like this for a few days (remember how I told you last week that Doug has been busy but I've been feeling too sorry for myself to update the blog? Yup, this is one of those projects).

Apparently the admonishment was eating at him, though, because this week he took the railing off and stained it to match the banister on the other side of the stairs. LOL! Sorry, I should take that down a notch. I am giggling about it, though. So, it should be up again soon...this time, finished. Go, Doug.

Freakin' Out!

There's actually quite a lot going on right now - Doug's been busy. I'll share that next week, I promise.

Right now, I'm just freaking out about some news on my leg...the sprained ankles are both healing quite nicely, so much so that I'm feeling strong and ready to get back to work.

Sadly, my broken leg hasn't healed at all. At. All. In fact, the fracture is spreading open...so quite the opposite of healing. I have an appointment with an orthopedist next week.

Not exciting for me. A little freaked out. In case you haven't figured that out yet. I am not excited about the prospect of possible surgery or screws (yikes!).

Thanks for letting me vent, I promise more work on the house next week. Have a good weekend.

It's November!

This is my favorite month. There's snow...

But not so much of it that you have to pull out the shovel (usually). Beauty without work, love it. There's cooler weather -sweaters! - which also means that working outside isn't a sweaty, hot prospect.

This year, it also means that I only have two more weeks of wearing the walking boot for my broken leg. Woohoo, the end is in sight! And then, I can get outside. Ahhh. I've really missed that. I might actually get some more bulbs in the ground before winter. I'm hoping, anyway.

It also means colorful leaves. I found these leaves at Target on clearance for fifty cents each:

They are felt placemats. I stuck them in my front window to be a little festive, since they are the perfect color. The house looked a little bare after taking down the Halloween decorations (even though there are still a few ghosts hanging out in the trees outside - I can't climb to get them, and keep forgetting to get the girls out there).

How's things at your place? Getting Halloween put away? Hope you have a great week, whatever you're doing!

This is Halloween!

And mama's a cripple. Yup, no walkin' with the kiddos tonight, I have to give out candy.

This is actually my favorite part of Halloween, because I get to see all the cute costumes. And smile at the cute kids. Usually, though, Doug refuses to take out the kids. Instead, he stays home and refuses to open the door and give out candy. Rude, huh?

Anyway, Halloween has brought some serious issues to our house. Namely, What Shall I Wear? This crisis has come to several of the kids. Sophia had a great queen outfit, which she wore to a party last week.

But she would rather be Mariposa, the butterfly fairy. This was Malena's costume a few years ago, so all Sophie had to do was rescue it from the costume boxes.

Getting her costume situated just did not happen...

Jack and Collin both wanted to be ninjas and showcase their newly-acquired karate moves. Last night, though, Collin decided to be a wizard. Problem: no wizard costume. After many words were exchanged, he decided to go with the ninja outfit after all.

Meanwhile, Jack found his Spiderman outfit in the costume box. He asked if he could wear it, and was surprised when I said yes. Honestly, if we already own it, why not?

Who is that masked man?

Oh, it's Jack! Spiderman with a sword...a boy's dream!

The older girls have thankfully kept with their original costume ideas. I made Malena's pioneer costume:

And Bonnie just bought her witch's costume. I think this is at least her fourth time being a witch. Hopefully, she doesn't really identify with the character...although, she is a teenager.

Face decoration courtesy Bonnie's school

Hope you all have a safe and happy Halloween!!!