Trick-or-Treat

I loved seeing how excited Arabella was all day today! She could barely contain herself and was so full of awe and wonder. I had to remind her that she needed to take a nap today so that she could go trick-or-treating after dinner. I actually let her sleep longer than normal since I knew she wouldn't be in bed at her normal time. She could barely sit still for dinner as she knew it was getting closer to the time for trick-or-treating. Finally, when it was dark out, it was time to go. She was so adorable, practicing her "Hoo, Hoo" when she showed Jay her costume!


Jay and I took turns taking her out since she wanted us both to go...but one of us had to man the candy at home. And speaking of candy, she got way more candy and loot that she is going to be able to eat. I haven't exactly figured out what I am going to do with all her candy, but we are not going to let her eat it all. I may send it to Operation Gratitude who then sends it to the US armed forces.



Happy Halloween, my baby owl! Mommy had so much fun with you tonight and I am glad you enjoyed every second of it!

Jack-O-Lanterns

Tonight we carved our Jack-O-Lanterns! Arabella was so excited to design the type of face she wanted on hers...she decided on scary! We had a bunch of pumpkins to carve since we went on so many pumpkin patch outings, but that is just fine with me. I love the way they look all lined up on out walk! Arabella had a fun time pulling out all the slime and seeds and was very excited to to see them lit up. Halloween is almost here and she can't wait (and neither can I)!




This pumpkin had a bumpy surface so she decided to drill polka dots into it!

The Great Pumpkin Ball & Chinese Lanterns

On Friday night, we decided to go to the Montreal Botanical Gardens to check out an exhibit that closes tomorrow. I have been wanting to go since last October when I found out about it - so this year I made sure we went. And I am so happy we did! We had to fight traffic to get to the Gardens, and then wait in line for about 30 minutes, but it was worth the wait. We had to bundle up...I finally broke down and took out our winter coats and gear...but the coldness didn't have any affect on us and our spirits! I wanted to get there before sunset since it would still be a little warmer out since as soon as the sun sets, it cools off very quickly. And I wanted to be able to take pictures without the flash or a tripod. We checked out the Chinese Lanterns which were outside in the Chinese Garden. They were beautiful! Arabella loved the bright colors and was excited to move from one lantern to the next. She is turning into quite the little explorer and just is so full of wonder!

Waiting patiently in line...

Then getting silly from the candy she and Jay ate in the car!









After then Lanterns, we went to see the Great Pumpkin Ball. This exhibit was inside but I was a little bit disappointed as it wasn't exactly what I was expecting. But that is OK - the best part was Esmeralda, the witch. Arabella was enthralled by her - she told stories and talked to the kids in French - I was actually able to pick up on parts of what she was saying! Arabella was afraid of her at all but was shy when she tried to talk to her.





I would love to try and grow this ornamental eggplant next summer...


We had a great night and enjoyed ourselves. It was the prefect way to spend a Friday night!

Halloween Is Almost Here

Last week, Arabella was so excited to see more and more Halloween decorations popping up in the neighborhood. So she asked if we could put up some more...I usually just do pumpkins, no huge yard decorations going on here...but I looked to see if we had anything in the Halloween bin in our storage area that might be left over from a old Halloween party. I found some of the fun spider web stuff and Arabella was so excited. I told her that she had to wait for Jay to get home from work to help put it up...she couldn't wait, as soon as he walked in the door she was asking him to help her! So he quickly changed and then went outside to put it up before the sun completely set and it got too cold! She was such a great helper and she put all the spiders in the web by herself! Great job Arabella (and Dad)!

Happy Halloween Party

Today was Arabella's preschool Halloween party, and I was lucky enough to be able to attend. Parents were not invited to the party, which is OK, I realize we can't always be invited to everything that they are doing. But today, I was given the opportunity and I jumped at the chance. (I feel like since I am so lucky to be having the opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom to Arabella now that I want, no make that, need to be as involved as I can be. When we eventually move back to the States, I know that this may not be the case anymore so I have to take it while I can.) (PS - Jay - Thanks for giving me this opportunity, it means more than you know.) I covered room duty for another mom whose child was out sick today and Arabella was so excited to have me go to school for her party today. She couldn't wait to get into her costume this morning...it was the cutest thing! In class they did some of their normal activities and I was so surprised when they did parts of the class in French...Arabella knows a lot more than she lets on to us. Way to go Arabella, your French is getting good! The rest of her class was Halloween fun and games - pin the nose of the pumpkin, bobbing for donuts, playdoh spiders - and a scissors story (something that I had never heard or seen before. The teacher reads a story and cuts out shapes on paper and then at the end the the cut outs reveal a shape - today it was a pumpkin. Very cute!) http://www.amazon.com/Fold-Cut-Stories-Jerry-Mallett/dp/0913853267/ref=pd_sim_b_4
Because today was Arabella's special day (since I was a room duty mom) she got to help lead the class in some activities - days of the week and counting - in both English and French!
Circle time songs!

The beginning of the scissor story.

And how it ends...with a pumpkin!

Sorting ghosts and pumpkins!
"Bobbing for donuts"!

At the end of class they had fun Halloween themed snacks - oranges, carrots and dip, cantaloupe, spider cracker snacks, jello jigglers and cupcakes! Arabella and her classmates had some much fun. I had a lot of fun to, playing the games and seeing the smiles on their faces. Arabella was excited to hand out her cake pops and they were a hit! I am so happy that I was able to join in today.

Martha Moment

Tomorrow is Arabella's Halloween Party at school. I decided to make cake pops for her to give to all her friends and teachers instead of candy for a Halloween treat. She was so excited to help me make them and we had a lot of fin doing so. And they were pretty easy to make...

We first crumbled up a white cake that we baked.

Arabella liked using my pastry blender to really crumble up the cake.

Then we added a 1/2 cup of frosting and mixed it up good.

I then rolled them into balls, dipped a stick in melted chocolate and then inserted it into the cake balls. I then put them into the freezer so they could set. While I waited for them to set and while Arabella was napping, I melted orange candy melts.

I dipped the cake balls into the candy melts and then added a tic tac stem. Since I couldn't find the green tic tacs...do they make them anymore? or do they just not sell them here in Canada?...I took regular white tic tacs and lightly sprinkled them with water and then covered them with green sanding sugar. I actually like the way these stems look - they are prettier with just a hint of sparkle for some Halloween magic!

The final product - wrapped in cellophane bags and tied with orange ribbon and a cute little owl tag! I just think they are so adorable. Arabella and Jay taste tested one tonight after dinner and it was gone in a matter of seconds, so they must be good!

Let the Halloween magic begin!

Trick-or-Treat

Tonight was Arabella's first true Trick-or-Treat night. Sure she went last year, but it was only to a few houses. But tonight, she was very excited to put on her costume and brave the 36 degree temperatures in order to round up some candy! Lori (80's Rocker chick) and I (Lady Gaga) also dressed up so we could tag along with our Butterfly Princess! Arabella had so much fun and when we thought she was done and we arrived back home, she wanted Jay to take her out to a few more houses. When she got home, she dumped her loot on the kitchen floor and I would say that she received more than enough candy for a 2 year old and her dad! I am sure they will both enjoy it tomorrow! We all had a fun night and now Arabella is sure to be dreaming of all her candy treats!