The Big Night

After hours of absolute certainty that it was time to Trick or Treat...it was in fact...time to Trick of Treat. Costumes on...candy sacks at the ready...parental beverages poured, shaken, and stirred...we were off! This being the first year of actual door to door, bell ringing, candy grabbing Trick or Treating...the kids were a little unsure of the process. By the end of the night...we were a well oiled machine. Trick or Treat - Grab Candy - Say Thank You - Run to the next house. Bryce was even to the point where just getting candy wasn't enough...he went so far as to reject some Peanut M&M's (much to my dismay) and bargain for a pack of regulars. What a country...Halloween negotiations. One Kit Kat (or Kitty Kat as Ivy calls them), a Peanut Butter Cup, and a Tootsie Pop later...everyone is asleep (we think). What a great weekend...if only there were other holidays during the year that lasted a couple of days, where there was good food, and prizes...I think I'll be ready for one 'round December time if anyone can think of one. Happy Halloween!

Carve Pumpkins - Check!

I hope you bought your three day pass to the Newman Halloween Experience because you didn't want to miss day 2. This year's Halloween Pumpkin Party went off without a hitch. No swine flu to speak of (thanks to the witch's brew in that painful little needle), delicious home made treats (including caramel popcorn...yum), great friends, and fantastic weather. I continue to be amazed at how a 4 inch little saw and a template can create these amazing pumpkins. While we did have a few pumpkins that turned out looking like Sloth from the Goonies...I think anyone who followed the instructions ended up with a front porch decoration sure to scare away even the most aggressive chinese menu delivery guy.

With our costumes ready and pumpkins lit...we're read for tonight's main event. So bring your A game Trick or Treaters cuz WE READY!

Hallow-palooza - Part I

Today was the start of 3 days of fun activities to celebrate Halloween. First the kids had their school Halloween carnival. Bryce donned his pumpkin costume and Ivy debuted her Minnie Mouse gear. Neither lasted very long in full garb since this is a Halloween marathon...not a sprint. There were games, candy, hay rides, and more candy, a clown show (in which Bryce starred), some more candy, and finally candy. It was even a Green festival because we saved gas by feeding Bryce Smarties until he towed the car all the way home. Tomorrow... pumpkin party!

Now this is more like it...

After an executive decision this morning to officially cancel our subscription to the Austin American Statesman - due to poor on time delivery metrics - we felt like rebels. So...to keep our Bonnie and Clyde ways up we went out with the kids to do the craziest thing we could think of...Mini Golf! The kids gobbled up the sharks, knocked down the houses, and wrestled the gators. And...after the US showing at the Ryder Cup today, I'm pretty sure the two kids...green putters, colored balls and all...could have at least lost 2 & 1 instead of 6 & 5 (not mentioning any names...but one might rhyme with Lyger Shoulds).

Really one of the great fall days in Texas....golf, burgers, and splash fountains. If that's not the holy trinity I'm not sure what is. Fall...we knew you existed...now just tell summer to stay away for a few months...thanks.