HALLOWEEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Back in July Scarlett told us that she wanted to be a rainbow for Halloween (and she's very particular that it has to have all the proper colors).  I envisioned Jaide and Siena being little leprechauns too.  But as the weeks went by I realized that the twirls LOVE rainbows - probably cause Scarlett does - and they would be disappointed to not get a rainbow costume as well.  I researched and found a rare phenomenon called a "triple rainbow" or "tertiary rainbow" where the light leaving a rainbow enters another raindrop and forms another layer of rainbows.  Each time this occurs the light gets dimmer and the colors reverse order.  A true triple rainbow is actually very rare and often can't be seen until the image goes through post processing.  Cool!  Three rainbows can exist together!  So it was decided: all three girls would be rainbows, I would be a leprechaun and Jake agreed to be the pot of gold.  (side note: we're not trying to be political or make a statement, just supporting our little girls and their love of bright and colorful rainbows!)

I made their costumes out of felt and glue.  I needed a large compass to draw the semi-circles so I tied a string on a marker and used a needle to hold it in place.  See, you really do use math skills in real life! ;-)  I just glued semicircles on top of semicircles instead of cutting out the arcs.  So the fabric gets really thick in the middle, but then you don't have to worry about the colors lining up exactly - much faster!  I made the back semi-circles out of their "name colors" as Scarlett likes to call it (red, yellow & green).  After I made the rainbows I used fabric glitter to coat them in silver sparkles - it also made them stiffer which I liked.  Then I used tulle tied on a ribbon and hand stitched to the bottom to be the cloud.  I knew that the girls would wear them after, so I tried to make everything as robust as I could.  I hand stitched the ribbon for the shoulder straps.  After making these I realized: it might be time to finally buy a sewing machine, haha!

I used Styrofoam, cardboard. glitter fabric, glue and other things to make a tiny leprechaun hat to wear.  I found a green and gold blazer at goodwill for $2.50!  I cut four leaf clovers from glitter paper for the hat and I also taped them onto some earrings I already own.  I love how cute the tiny hat turned out!  Maybe I'll wear it on March 17!  For Jake's costume I found a bag of gold coins at Hob Lob for a few bucks and I hot glued them onto black felt.  Then I glued on a ribbon and it was done!  So easy!  And Jake's favorite costume yet!  He didn't really have to dress up, wear something uncomfortable, or go to any trouble.  Plus his gold coin necklace made him feel like a blinged out rapper!

My parents were here for our ward party on Oct 30.  The YW & YM were in charge of it and since I'm really into Halloween (more than normal, I'm aware) I volunteered and got roped into doing lots for this event.  I drew a diagram to keep track of all our games.  I tried to not do everything myself, but I ended up working on stuff all month . I planned the table centerpieces for the youth to assemble for an activity (something cheap and disposable).  We found lots of fun games on pinterest.  I bought 2 pieces of foam board and painted them for the bean bag toss and the ping pong eye ball bounce.  So much work but so fun!

This is the invitation I made for the event.  I wanted it too look very kid-friendly and upbeat.

We tried to get some nice photos of our family.  Siena would NOT wear her costume so Jake finally just held it in front of her and we got a few photos.  Poor girl gets so nervous/anxious when she's in new situations.  Grammy took Scarlett to the restroom and there were some teenage girls in there waiting.  Scarlett told them "I'm not really a rainbow, I'm just a little girl dressed up as a rainbow."  hahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!

After dinner we went and played the carnival games.  I think the favorite was the "Treat Trot".  I planned a few toddler games and put them in the nursery room so little kids could have fun but I failed to ask an adult to guard the door and some older kids came in and destroyed my balloon run-through game.  I was so miffed but decided to do as Elsa and "Let it Go."  Then we went outside for the Trunk or Treat.  Jaide and Scarlett climbed in the trunk of Grumple's rental car.  Then we took the girls around to get treats.  Jake and I had to hold the twirls and my arms we killing me!

The next day was actually Halloween.  The girls all love to pretend their scared of ghosts and they ask for Halloween shows all day every day.  But when the actual event came, they were not enjoying it.  Siena wouldn't wear her costume (again) and she made me carry her.  We went next door to our neighbor Don, he said hello to the twirls and used their names - that was too much for Jaide.  She started screaming.  I was NOT feeling well (have I mentioned how my nausea has not gone away?  It's a little better than before but I still have to take Zofran every day).  So I just picked up Jaide and headed back home.  My mom took some great photos that captured their emotion.  It was drizzling outside but Jake and Scarlett did our whole neighborhood.  Luckily she's sweet and didn't mind sharing her candy at all.  Several of my neighbors make little gift bags to give out - like a plastic bag with lots of treats, chips, little stickers, etc.  How kind are they!?  We only got ~20 kids come by that evening.  Too bad most Halloween nights are super cold here.  But luckily we bought candy that we wanted to eat!  So win win!  We sorted through all the candy and put anything with nuts in a bag for Jake to take to work - I named it the "nut sack"  heehee!  For dinner that night Grammy and I made a fruit rainbow to go with our theme!

My parents came adorned in their Bronco gear, but I had a secret accessory for my mom - a Grammy Award tiny hat!  I found the little gramophone at Hob Lob, spray painted a little box, found the sticker letters, and glued on some clips to the bottom.  Bam!  Halloween costume!  I was going to make a tiny hat for my dad, but I'm pretty sure that he wouldn't wear it - no matter how cute it was. ;-)

My mom found this hilarious YouTube video from the Break Womb.  Can you guess what character I relate with the most?  (to see our past Halloween costumes, look here)

Finally, I'm sure you've seen the Peanutize Me characters that people have been posting on FB.  Well one night Jake and I made little versions of our family.  I think Jake's it spot on!