Cookie decorating:

Making pumpkin-colored play-doh

Dressed and ready to party:

Today we picked the kids up from daycare and went to Halloween event #4: Trick or treating at Byerly's. We plan on on going to he one near daycare first and then the one near home afterwards. The events were fantastic. The first had a firetruck outside, games with candy prizes inside, a DJ having a dance party, many non candy treats and hotdogs for dinner. Seriously so great. 

I was too lazy to being a costume that involved changing Caroline's entire outfit so I decided to make good use of a gift that would fit over her daycare clothes. 

The second store also had a DJ throwing a dance party (I was surprised by how many kids loved dancing), face painting, balloon animals, crazy hair painting, temporary tattoos and tons of treats. 

He asked for a football... Not super festive. 

Caroline's ponytail was painted green but we don't have any pictures of that. Bennett asked for a balloon sword, of course. Two balloon swords in a week, lucky kid. 

On our way out we had to walk past the dance party and they were handing out light sticks. Bennett got swallowed up by the crowd of kids grabbing for them and didn't get one. The look on his face as he looked around at the other kids was heartbreaking. I could tell the DJs felt bad as they started handing out necklaces but as they came around to give Bennett one, I just had to ask if they had anymore light sticks. The DJ manning the music saw me asking because he ducked down to look for more. Luckily for Bennett he found some more. 

Needless to say he was quite happy and skipped and hipped the entire walk to the car. As I told him when we got home, "When you are happy, I am happy. It makes me happy to see you so happy."

Wednesday

It was picture day:

Bennett's teacher wrote a great update: We had a busy but fun rain day. This morning got some energy out playing in the big room. After the big room, we had group time. We read a book about animals in the zoo, we sang a hello song and the days of the week song, as well as talk about pumpkins and squash. We compared and contrasted pumpkins and squash based on size, color, texture, and weight. The children were then allowed to use different tools to try and open the pumpkin. This activity worked on their fine motor skills. As a group we carved open the pumpkin after the children made guess about what we might find inside. We did manage a short walk outside just for some fresh air. Everyone did a good job of sharing and taking turns.

Wednesday after Caroline had an appointment with an ENT. She needed to take a hearing test. I volunteered to sit in the small soundproof room with her. We were facing one corner of the room, and there were speakers in the corners to either side of the us. The audiologist would say thing to make her look each way, or scratch at the microphone. When she'd looked in the correct direction, there were toys in display boxes that would play a noise, light up and move. I never saw what they were because I wasn't supposed to look at the noise. After a while, Caroline started to get really anxious. She started pinching the skin on my hands, and her head was darting around as she was trying to look around her. Then she was trying to stand and face me. I don't know if the toys in the boxes were scaring her, or if my lack of reaction was scaring her.  Poor thing. We found out she has a little hearing loss but not bad. We are going to do tubes which we are actually very excited about. We've already dealt with two ear infections so far this month, not to mention all the ones previously.

After the appointment Caroline and I stayed home while daddy went to the gym and got Bennett. 

She took selfies and it was fun

Then she started melting down.

Music time before naps 

Bennett got bit again by the same kid at daycare. On his other cheek this time. So frustrating. I understand why it's happening (the kid took the toy Bennett was playing with, and when Bennett took it back, he was bit) but it's frustrating that it keeps happening to his face. HIS FACE. Ugh

After daycare we are a quick meal and went to the high school to see the children's concert the band was performing. Kids were encouraged to wear their pajamas so that's what we did. One song let the kids march if they wanted to so Bennett joined along. 

During the last song Joel and Bennett went to wait in line for a balloon animal. Caroline got off my lap and went to the area where a bunch of kids were running around. I was afraid she's run off but she just wanted to be part of the action and stood in one spot, turning in circles to look around. 

Bennett ended up getting a balloon sword which was perfect for his pirate Halloween pjs. He was quite excited about it too. 

Then they got to try out some of the instruments. 

By the time we got home the blade of the sword was about half its original length. This was probably a good thing. I was so impressed by how well the kids sat still for the music, which lasted for about 45 minutes. The students showing off the instruments were so great with the kids too. I was really impressed with the whole event.