"Happy Halloween"

While I have never really been a huge Halloween fan (though I am a huge fan of fall), I do love the opportunity for creativity it provides! (Please note I did not say "the opportunity for artistic prowess."😏)

Our little family has historically partaken in the quintessential pumpkin patch visits and subsequent carvings, as well as costumes and various parties and festivities. This year was no different. That said, some of the aforementioned traditions did change a bit this year, not the least of which was the lack of a family costume theme! This was, of course, a little bittersweet, but also sort of a relief. The kids really took ownership of their costumes, so Bryant and I were free to come up with our own! His was a repeat from pre-marriage, and mine was a "Kensy original" (though I'm certain someone somewhere had come up with this idea before me). Our costumes, as well as Jacob's, may not be super obvious to most, so I will share pictures here, let you speculate through the rest of the post, and reveal what we were at the end. Lydia was, of course, a very happy princess. 

Lest anyone think I am being humble when I say we are not an artistically talented family, I will now share the pumpkins the kids designed and carved...with a not insignificant amount of parental help. Please do not hear (read) me putting the kids down, here.  They come by their level of artistic talent honestly and just have much higher levels in other departments.  😉

Lydia’s creativity shone brightest with her princess pumpkin. She conceptualized it and scoured the house for materials all by herself and was very delighted with the result. She also asked to carve a tiny pumpkin for her baby dolls. We did our best to deliver. 😅 Jacob went for a fairly classic design and drew/carved it as quickly as possible. 

Ok - back to the costumes:

Jacob's costume was a sports card of himself.  You might notice some stats, a signature, and a ball hitting him in the chest, since he is a goalie.  He designed and drew it all on his own and just needed help with the face hole and straps.  I was very proud of and glad for his display of creativity and maybe a little less glad for the lesson in procrastination the project provided.  😬

Bryant was dressed as MacGyver, complete with a bona fide Swiss army knife!  The kids had never seen him in a wig and were tickled by it.  He was curious to know how many would recognize him for what he was, so if you did, and you feel so inclined, feel free to let him know here or via text! 

The title of my costume was "Hobby Lobby in June."  The details were subtle, so I will list them here for your convenience/entertainment:

• residual Valentine's Day glitter 
• 90% off St. Patrick's Day art (courtesy of Lydia) and Easter basket (This - the clearanced item - was Bryant's idea!
• Hawaiian shirt (for general summer)
• Fourth of July headband
• Halloween socks
• Thanksgiving pie earrings (made by our niece last year!)
• Christmas shirt

This year, I noticed that Lydia calls Halloween “Happy Halloween.”  As in, “How many days till Happy Halloween?” or “‘When did you get that candy, Lydia?’ ‘Happy Halloween.’”  It’s so endearing to me!  So, to all of you, hope you had a happy Happy Halloween! 

Happily,

Kensy

P.S. Here's a requisite chicken update from their field trip to the front yard a couple days ago.

Favorites of the day:

the parking lot at the newest Trader Joe's in the KC metro #iykyk

fun fall fellowship

evidence of the kids’ plan to share Jesus with other neighborhood kiddos