Monday, November 3, 2008

My kids are finally into costumes! I've always loved being at Brittani's (my sister. . who just started a blog! Check it out!) and seeing her kids dress up in different costumes. Halloween has brought that out in our children this year. Truthfully, I struggle with "celebrating" halloween. Knowing all of th evil that takes place on this day, I don't even want to give it my time. However, for a couple of years now we have had Fall Festival at our church on Halloween night. . you know, a halloween alternative. . .giving away free food, cotton candy and popcorn and hosting the community for the night. That was easy to get behind. . I mean, the community is looking for something to do, why NOT be that something? This year, however, we had to cancel Fall Festival. With the economy not doing well and many of our families having lost jobs recently, we felt that our money is better spent on the many benevolent requests that come into our church each day. I fully support our decision, but was so sad. Brayden kept asking, "when is fall festibal?"

Instead, we crashed my sister, parents and grandparents neighborhood (and Glenn and Lisa) and gave out candy on their front lawn and did a bit of trick or treating. (check out her blog for the full story on their ministry in candy giving!). I was concerned with trick or treating b/c of the blatant selfishness it promotes. . I did NOT want to see my kid digging through someone's bag trying to determind what gift he wanted, like I had seen other kids do while digging through the baskets at Brittani's. The whole "give me" thing was hard to swallow. . .and my kids had never been trick or treating so I was seriously considering not doing it. In the end, I decided to start around the block with my brother in law, hubby, Papa and the kids and see how it went. . .I could always drag the kids back to the house for a good "talking to" if they needed it! I was so proud of all 5 of the kids for how they behaved. They took just one piece of candy at each stop and stood on the stoop, looked in the neighbors's eyes and said, "thank you very much" to every person! If one of them forgot, they were quick to remind each other and respond quickly. They did GREAT! At the end of the night, Brayden looked into his "loot" and said, "Mom, I've got so much candy. . who are we giving all of this to?" Man, I love that heart!
here are a few pics of the kids. The first couple are from the last week. We decided to dress up for small group on Friday too!
Pirate Davis. . .though I admit that he kind of looks like a pimp in that hat!
Brayden as Diego (from Go Diego Go)The Bobo Brothers (from Diego). Monkeys
The rest are from Halloween Night at my sisters' house. This is her daughter Anna, as Wonder Woman! How cute is she?

Bradley and Anna together. . .can you tell they get their pictures taken a lot?
Our Three!

Brayden was participating in pictures SOOOOO well this night! He LOVED borrowing Jakob's Buzz LightYear costume!


My boy! Also known as, Spider man. My sister got this backdrop that we were planning to use at fall festival. . it's more for a fall theme and kind of clashes with my kids costumes but was so fun! It would look great with the jeans and white shirts look!
My kitty! Who was, in a horrible mood! We were bribing her with candy just to get a few pictures taken. . .I can't believe these turned out so well considering her attitude!

Showing off her little tail. . . (ps: she won't be doing THAT in years to come)
One more of Brayden with the FULL Buzz suit. . check out that dimple!
Love this pose. . .how funny
It was a great night spent with family and friends! Thanks guys!

16 comments:

Vanessa said...

All the costumes look great on your kids, but I do have to admit your little Spiderman's smile stole my heart!! He's so CUTE!!

Lindsey said...

sooooooo cute!!

jodes said...

Your kids are too cute!! My heart melted when your son asked who you were going to give the candy too! That's so precious.

Anonymous said...

Such good pictures and sounded so fun!! Christie

Jackie Sue said...

super cute!

Kari said...

I love all the pictures. Davis' pose at the end is absolutely adorable - what a great smile!

Anonymous said...

Adorable!

FYI~ I lost both my blogs =(

If you're interested in following my blog & auctions go to www.herlastmite.blogspot.com

and

taylortrashinptown.blogspot.com

I'm recreating, though it's going to take a wahile to get them back up.

darn google.

Whitney said...

How did they have time to trick or treat with all the costume changes? What adorable pictures! The pirate costume is the cutest!

Jman's momma said...

That is absolutely too stinkin' cute. Oh your boy, B, what a man!!! What else can I say...


anne

Julie said...

Brandi, they are so adorable! All 3... glad you have fun "trick or treating"!!!

Kelly said...

Those pics are adorable!

Brittani said...

Your kids are so precious. who in the world took those adorable pics?! ;-) Hey, ? for you...why am I not listed as one of your friends? that's right, I am calling you on it...
Britt
however, you did give me a shout out on your last blog so I will give you a little break for that :-)

Cassie - Homeschooling Four said...

How cute! I love the costumes!

brooke said...

woah! Lots of costumes... I hope they were able to do some of that on their own :-) SO cute those kiddos are. Ok, when will you be back home?

Anonymous said...

Absolutely ADORABLE!

Misi said...

So cute!! I always do trick or treating but I am like you-very strict about 1 only and saying "please and thank you"!
If they don't then they are reminded and go back look them in the eye and say it. We also don't go up to any houses that "LOOK" spooky you know?
I never have a prob w/ them though and I seriously love doing it myself!