Halloween

Halloween was a pretty big deal around these parts this year.  Grady was old enough to know what he wanted to be (Mike Wazowski from the movie Monsters, Inc.) and more importantly what he wanted to get out of the whole Halloween business (CANDY).  Clara was less sure about the dressing up, but did not take a lot of convincing to come around to the candy part.  

Although both kids were most excited about getting to the actual day and the trick-or-treating, they were also pretty enthused over the pumpkin carving.  We let the kids scoop out the pumpkins themselves.  Grady actually managed to do his whole pumpkin!  

Hamming it up

Scooping takes careful planning

Showing Clara the ropes

Goofs

After the pumpkins were emptied out, it was time for the kids to draw on their jack-o-lantern faces.  Grady had a really clear idea of what he wanted this year, and was pretty vigilant that Matt get the carving of his drawing just right.

Clara, eh, not so much. 

The end results were pretty spooky!

It is so hard to get a picture of them both with a) Grady not talking; or

b) Clara not picking her nose

  

Before the big day, we had a warm-up on the costume front during a reunion party of Grady's baby group.  Clara was so, so not pleased with her costume, despite our picking out the costume that was the most like regular clothes.  She perked up a bit when it was explained that when she wore these clothes she got to eat chocolate!  

Don't our kids look happy?!

Her spirits definitely turned when she got the bouncy house all to herself. 

After getting the lingo down -

the kids were ready for some trick-or-treating.  

One tough wrestler and one friendly monster

 And then they were off!  Since I got to take them last year, Matt had the honors this year.

They cannot believe I am still making them pose for pictures.  There is candy to be had!

They both brought in a decent haul, including some full-sized bars.  Probably over a dozen pieces each.  We've got about half to go.  Clara enthusiastically calls for her "Buck-ee!" whenever she sees it.  

Grady chose Dots for his Halloween night candy

Clara chose skittles

On the non-Halloween front, all is pretty well.  Grady continues to be our funny, 3.5-going-on-8- little boy.  He is settling in at his new school.  We've definitely noticed an emotional adjustment as he gets used to the structure (more acting out at home) but it's hard to tell how much of that is school and how much of that is being 3.  He has made some friends at school and has brought home a few French words - he can count to 12, say cat, mouse, pig, hello, goodbye, eat - all the essentials.  He's been working hard at the song that they will be singing in their winter festival in a few weeks.  

Clara also has been working hard at her singing, though she's sticking mainly to original songs at this point.  Here's one from today.  Sorry no picture, it was in the car. 

Clara is also continuing to work on sentences.  Most of them now are some combination of object + mommy.  "SHOE mommy! Mommy, shoe!"  But she's also got down "Watch out!" - and seriously, she means it.  It's not her fault if you don't get out of her way when she's barreling after you with a stool.  She is running everywhere.  Walking is not her style.  She continues to be a very opinionated and loving girl.  

The littlest Wilkinson seems to be doing well.  He's got me off gluten and most dairy still (plain yogurt seems to be fine).  He's moving around a lot and generally has been pretty low maintenance, especially compared to the two that are already out.  

Here are some favorite pictures from the past few weeks before I sign off. 

Dual slide 

Best friends

Proud of the tower she built all by herself!

This is what happens when we let Clara choose her outfit 

Portrait of Cheer Bear, by Grady