Getting our $'s worth

The girls are at such a great age for Halloween,
so it was nice to have a number of events leading up to the big day.
First up was the UP Halloween Carnival.
I was in charge of planning this party, along with two girlfriends,
and it was great to see so many kiddos on hand, and all of them happy.
There were games all around the gym, a giant bounce house,
a freaky freeze dance and even a costume red carpet.
It really set the stage for one of the most fun weeks of the year.

The girls also had the chance to dress up during their dance classes...
always very cute to see.
Ava and Callie are in ballet/tap with Lexi this year,
something we are so thankful for since they are at different schools now.

 Here Ryleigh is with Brendan's daughter Emily,

both girls are sweet, little, girly versions of their daddies

Ryleigh's preschool class had a party Halloween morning that the parents were invited in for

And then I headed over to the elementary school for Pumpkin Day.
This is a huge, long standing tradition at UP.
Every child decorates a pumpkin and on the Friday of Halloween week,
they are all displayed on the walkway leading up to the school's front doors.
The kids get to walk around the school, looking at all of the super cool creations,
and then parents join in for an outdoor picnic at lunchtime.
You would not believe the creativity of some of these children (and/or parents)!
Lexi decided early on that she wanted, what else, a princess pumpkin,
and she never wavered from that selection.
It will be our only year here at UP,
and I'm so glad we got to take part in this wonderful tradition.

 There's her finished product, complete with a crown

 Just a few of the hundreds that were on display

 A Happy Meal and lunch with her kinder besties

The boy standing behind Lexi is currently one of her boyfriends

(We are so not ready for this)