Halloween Fun 2012

I love that there are so many events in our area for Halloween, that every year Ava really gets good use out of her costume.  Which was great because at the beginning, Ava was not so sure about the sheep costume business.  It took a lot of persuading to get the costume on her (especially the hood), and then she shot us a look like she was completely unimpressed and gave an extremely unenthusiastic "baa."

Last week we decided to try out the Merriam city Halloween celebration.  To be very honest, it was kind of lame, but at least it was a chance to get Ava in her costume.  We went down to the Merriam Farmer's market and walked around to see all the kids in their costumes.  She did find some pumpkin bowling, and had a great time chasing down the little pumpkins and using them to knock down the bowling pins and plastic pumpkins.  She found the joy of holding out her pumpkin for some candy, too.

Pumpkin bowling....

Friday, I took Ava to the annual Shawnee Trunk or Treat.  Here's a link to our trunk or treat fun from last year - amazing how big she has gotten!  She was a total pro this year.  She marched from trunk to trunk, holding out her big plastic pumpkin for the goods and giving a nice "tank you" each time.  The second she saw a sucker hit her bucket, it was all over - my girl is a little obsessed with those little things.

There was also a guy in a lion costume, which was what the remainder of the evening revolved around.  She stood about 5 feet away and just stared at first.  We started off for more treats, but every few minutes she would say "I see lion" and head his direction, never getting up the courage to actually get close enough to touch him - until we were getting ready to leave.  She decided "I give lion high-five" - and proceded to do so.  I'd call this progress in the "guy dressed up as character is not scary" category.  Maybe next time she see's Gus the Gorilla, she'll give him a high-five too.

"tha lion!"

Side note:
Friday night was Josh's last regular season football game of the season.  When Ava saw her dad up in the control booth, she waved furiously to him and started yelling "Daddy, I watch football!  They tackle tackle daddy!"  Josh came down and sat with us for a little while, then took Ava down to the field to see the football players.  She could not have been more excited to be on the field with those boys.

Ava walking the balance beam.  She does this each time she sees a curb.

Intensely watching the game.

On the field with her daddy.

And back to our Halloween fun....

Our next stop was Shawnee Historical Hauntings on Saturday night with Mimi and Papa.  The entire old Shawnee town was decorated with lights and jack-o-lanterns, and people dressed up in fun costumes handing out candy.

The town, all lit up and decorated for the festivities.

With Mimi and Papa (and her sucker), waiting for the hayride!

Hayride time!

Full moon, enjoying the hayride.

Hayride fun!

After enjoying all of the pre-Halloween festivities and getting plenty of practice trick or treating for candy, the big day finally arrived.  It was such a beautiful day outside, that we enjoyed a picnic dinner before meeting dad at the local shopping area for some trick-or-treating fun.

She loves hanging from anything and everything. (And yes, that's her diaper hanging out.)

So we met dad after putting on her little lamb costume....

So excited to see her daddy!

"Trick or treat!"

Suckers were the only candy she wanted....and she finally got one!

Back at the house, she was ready to hit the neighborhood...or the cul-de-sac at least.

 

Anyone home?

She's thinking - "there's gotta be a sucker in here somewhere..."

We didn't have many trick-or-treaters (we never do since we live on a small street), but Ava enjoyed making the rounds just like last year.  Only this year she actually got some candy....the "suckas in my punkin."