And That's A Wrap!

Finally, our busy weeks of Halloween activities have come to an end. I think we got lots of good use out of our costume and Carson got lots of comments from passer-byers everywhere we went! What a great Halloween 2014!

Yesterday afternoon Shira and her daughter Sydney hosted a Halloween party for our mom's group! Everyone collaborated to bring something Halloween-themed and mine was a glow stick tunnel. Carson has been loving his light-up balls in the dark hallway, and what kid doesn't like crawling in tunnels so I thought it would be perfect. Here's how it turned out...

The tunnel was decorated with spiders and ghosts and I was so happy with how it turned out. One thing you can't see is the glow sticks hanging from the ceiling. I knew there was a chance some kids might try to tug on them, so Reid and I tied lots of knots and even had a paperclip folded on the top so they wouldn't slip through. I thought the kids would love crawling and sitting in the glowing lights and I couldn't wait to take it to the party!

Well first "fiasco" was the box-tunnel would not fit in my car. I'm sure if any neighbors were watching they got a good laugh with me trying to maneuver this thing into my trunk. In the end I had to take it apart and would reassemble at the party. Now off to pick up Carson from daycare and head to the party!! We got there and I decided to reassemble the box-tunnel in the parking lot. Then you should have seen me trying to walk inside. The door was quite-aways away from our car and Carson only managed to walk a little bit. I had the diaper bag around my shoulder, grocery bag in my hand, Carson on my hip and somehow still managed to carry this big box-tunnel in (using both hands to hold it.) I really wish someone would have photographed me!! It wasn't until I walked past our party room that a kind worker offered to help me! Thank you!! Now let's get to fiasco number 2 (begin vent session). I mentioned before Reid and I tried to hang the glow sticks good, but they were no match for "terror child" at the party. No joke 5 minutes after I set the tunnel down and turned my back to it, I looked back and saw all but 2 sticks ripped from the ceiling and said "terror child" banging on the box. Now I must admit that I did not specifically witness this child ripping my "masterpiece" apart, so yes I'm pointing fingers but feel I have good reasoning too. I understand we are in a room full of 10 to 20 month old kids and something was bound to happen, but I think the box-tunnel would have "stood it's ground" for most of the party. To me the worse thing about this situation was his mom not doing ANYTHING and just letting her child run around like a complete maniac! No "play nicely" or "watch out for other kids so they can play too." She just let him be and chalked it up to, "well this is what I deal with everyday." Grr I was so frustrated and wish this mom would realize the work I put into it instead of using this party as a free-for-all for her child to be a maniac while she chatted it up (end venting session). At least some kids were still able to enjoy it.

Carson did okay at the party but was fussy whenever I was not right by his side or holding him. Ever since we started daycare he's been so clingy whenever I take him out. Given up until now he's been Mr. Independent, it's nice to know he loves and needs me!! We got home and had lots of fun with the glow sticks before dinner and bed.

We ended our Halloween festivities with the Trick or Treat Street event at Aspen Grove. We made daddy come along and had so much fun as a family walking around the shopping center. They even had a little store set up as a haunted house. Carson did great until we walked past a live Frakenstein. He was not a fan. Then we tried to pose with some other Halloween characters and he wouldn't look at the camera...way to interested in figuring out what was going on!

So long Halloween of 2014. You've been good to us.

Halloween Festivities Continued: Trick or Treat Train

As if last Friday wasn't enough Halloween activities we were at it again on Sunday. Mostly I was trying to get out of the house so Reid could rest as  he wasn't feeling well, but Carson and I had so much fun! I think this was the first "outing" with him that I really truly enjoyed taking him out and wasn't stressing about him crying, needing food, diaper changes and running around everywhere.

I took Carson to the Colorado Railroad Museum for their Trick or Treat Train! When we first got there the train was crossing the tracks and blew it's whistle right by us which Carson did not appreciate. I don't know if it was that or if he is going through a clingy phase, but he was attached to my leg from the get-go! At least I was able to get a few pictures in by their Halloween decorated train cars while we waiting for our train ride.

Next up was our ride on the train. For some reason I thought the train would make various stops to collect candy but it did not. Instead we took three laps around the museum grounds while a museum employee walked up and down the car offering to take family pictures and pass out some candy. Carson did great on the train. He sat down in the booth and ate some snacks then sat on my lap as we rode the tracks. I still think he was a little unsure of things as he wasn't smiling or talking at all yet (totally out of the norm for him) but at least he wasn't throwing tantrums.

Carson collected a sucker on the train and boy did he love it! They will definitely be my go-to candy in desperate times! After the train ride we walked around the rest of the museum grounds looking at the trains. I think he was still a little too young to understand the trains (or he just wasn't interested) but the crowds were small and I was able to just let him go which was wonderful! Even with this freedom, he started out staying close by my side and even letting me hold his hand. First up was a wagon of scarecrows. The moment I saw it I knew I HAD to take a picture of my little scarecrow and all his scarecrow "friends." Next we wandered over to the model trains they had set up. At first he didn't show any interest in them, but eventually his face lit up each time they came back around the track.

After that we walked around to see some of the bigger trains but I think by now he was mostly interested in his sucker. At the end of the day I got some fun pictures, had a fun outing with my son and learned they are having a polar express train this year which we will definitely go do! Stay tuned as there are still MORE Halloween festivities planned later this week!!