Halloween - Part II

Maddie was giddy most of the day and the squeals of delight did not stop until she crashed at bed time. Leading the parade was a highlight and Trick-or-Treating around the the community was a highlight. I love living out here because it's just so... down home. Go figure - in China of all places.

The kids and parents all met up together around 6:00 and then went Trick-or-Treating for over an hour. They say that there aren't that many houses out at the Links but I think an hour and 17 houses is plenty of fun! I was so happy to see the parents dressed up too... we didn't even plan it that way. And of course, because we were dressed up we were able to partake in a few treats along the way. Leave it to Todd Parham, our resident, "keep it real" father to bring out the beverages for the walk around the Links. Everyone was laughing and having a great time!!








Even mom dressed up for Halloween!!!












Maddie, Rigel and Annika...









One of my students, Sam, always decorates his house and hands out presents like Santa at Halloween time. And then he has something special for his teachers... but I didn't fall for it this year!!











Lucinda, Preeti, Michele, me, and Carolyn prepare for our treats!!!

Halloween Day - Part One!

I just got back from a full morning at school and so much has happened to the girls today that I thought I would do TWO entries. Both will be full of pictures!

Maddie decided that she was going to be a fairy princess for Halloween and Maddie also decided that Amelia would be a kitty cat for her first Halloween debut. I've gotta give Maddie full credit as she was seriously thinking ahead when we walked past Halloween costumes at Babies R Us over the summer - it was all her idea!





Running into Maddie's VP, a.k.a Super Sacha, in the school library is always a great way to start the day! Here's the deal with walking through the hallways with two beautiful children..... it takes FOREVER to get anywhere!!! :)










Maddie, Malin and Ms. Preeti found themselves leading the entire elementary school for the parade. Thank goodness I gave tours of my university campus - walking backwards while holding a baby, talking, and taking pictures/video can't be done by just anybody ya know!











Taking a break on the parade route for a partial family photo! We sure miss you dad!!!!!










Snoozing Kitties....Carol had some quality snuggle time with a sleeping Amelia while I had some quality one on one time with Ms. Maddie during the assembly!











I had to include the picture of art teacher extraordinaire, Robert Davis.... the man has got style! That and he makes Maddie laugh really, really hard!!!











We ended the morning with a PreK party where Maddie actually got down and dirty while searching for spiders in a glob of goo!!

Happy Halloween Punka-doodles!!!

The Great Pumpkin

Andy bought a pumpkin before he left for Thailand so that Maddie and I could have our traditional pumpkin carving time! This was Amelia's first halloween and Maddie was eager to share her years of experience with her little sister. Amelia hung on for about... oh.... 10 seconds so I put her down for a nap and Maddie continued on our merry little way on our own. This year definitely brought a twist to the traditional pumpkin carving event. Let's just say that the twist involved nail polish!!






Maddie decided to use nail polish as a glue for glitter hair!











Digging the seeds out with a spoon so that our nails don't get "too yucky!"












Check out the eyebrows on that pumpkin!!!

Moments from class...

Maddie's teacher just sent this video out of the kiddos attempting a Halloween song and it was something I just had to share! I love being a mom!!!!

Halloween Parties!

Andy and I rushed home after our Puxi meeting today so that we could go with Maddie to the Halloween Party!! I'm glad we did because when I saw Preeti (her teacher) at the party, she came and threw her arms around both Andy and I with a big thank you! Maddie had a "tough" day at school and just needed some straight Maddie Time. Apparently, she had even taken her blanket to school to help make her feel better...

Halloween parties are just the ticket though! It's just so America out here sometimes - it's a good thing around the holidays! Maddie may be a Third Culture Kid but she knows her holidays!!! I think this picture shows the third pumpkin she has carved this year... and there is more to come!!!








Maybe they are still a bit too young for Harry Potter!!
















Some Night Jumpin' on the trampoline with Rigel!

















Waiting to get into the Spooky Haunted House!