To finish off the pumpkin-picking, hay riding, cider-gulping, month of October - we participated in trick-or-treating twice this year. On top of the usual trunk-or-treat our church has, Ohio celebrates Beggars' Night, which is basically the original term for what is now trick-or-treat.
And whoa Nelly! Like I've said before, this place is rooted in traditions and holidays - big time. I think I started seeing Halloween decorations way before October came and then the other day, believe it or not, I saw Christmas lights on a few houses (and I'm not talking about the ones that leave the lights up all year)!
Anyhow, I have to say that this year's Halloween was straight out of a storybook. Brian's description was a little different in that he said it reminded him of the movie Halloween. To which he then started singing the spooky theme song. Hmm...authentic either way you look at it, I guess.
I didn't have time to sew little B a costume this year, so we made due with what we had on hand. But I don't think he would have cared either way. And unlike last year, by the third house or so, he got the hang of it.
He had so much fun going from house to house. And FYI - I highly recommend a wagon for hardcore trick-or-treating! We went until it was really dark and REALLY cold outside. We let him go past his usual bedtime, so he was extremely pooped at the end of the night. But the best part of all? He has no clue what candy is! I don't think we'll be so lucky next year...
Little B the aviator/the Red Baron complete with mustache...
A few of the little trick-or-treaters...
From our night out...
Making some pumpkin chocolate chip cookies with my little skeleton...
TRICK OR TREAT - Ohio Style!
HAYRIDES, PUMPKINS, BEANIES AND MILKSHAKES - The Essence of Fall in the Midwest
If you think for one second that being a sporadic blogger goes unpunished, then you would be incorrect my friend. Now that I've slacked on posting regularly, I am having to do a bulk/catch-up post. And when you take as many photos as I do, the pile-up is enormous. So, without further adieu - here are a few (and I really tried to scale it down) photos from our last few weeks.
First up - I just had a birthday not too long ago and our good friends from Michigan came and visited us for my birthday weekend! She just finished law school and they are moving back to Arizona soon - far, far away in a land of SUN and HEAT! So, as they celebrate their new beginnings and shouting hooray for no more COLD WINTERS, we have been handed the baton. Congratulations guys. Go ahead and rub it in. Soak up the sun and warmth for us. We'll be needing it.
During their trip here, Little b and Miss m became REALLY good friends. And when I say REALLY, I mean, look at the photo on the TOP. Busted! I just happened to have my trusty little camera handy. I think this will make a great engagement photo - don't you?
We went out to the children's museum in Cincinnati. They had a lot of fun. So much fun, that Miss m got soaked from the water play area and had to play half naked while her clothes were drying. But that didn't seem to slow her down one bit. And then they continued to push and push and push whatever they could find. I suppose, in the toddler world, it's the "in" thing to do...
The following week, we visited Young's Dairy Farm with our med school buddies from Cinci. It's still a working farm, so the scenery was real as well as the smells. The boys obviously loved climbing on the tractors and running around. The day ended in sampling some of the fresh homemade ice cream made on the farm...and Brian thinking it would be a great idea to let Little b have his first taste of milkshake. Way to teach 'em young, BRIAN! Grr....
On a side note, my friend mentioned how ironic it was that Little b was wearing a beanie with Hawaii on it. :)
JUST POPPING BY...
HOW TO GET YOUR CHILD TO SIT IN A HIGH CHAIR...
This was his first popsicle ever. Can you tell?And this is his partner in crime...
WE'RE ON THE MAP!
This isn't a political message - but more so of a shout-out to Ohio! Wow, to think that this election (as the ones in the past) may be determined by this little state! Don't worry - we're ready to vote, vote, vote! Well, that was three votes, and since little b can't vote, it's technically - vote, vote! - because every vote counts, right?!