Well worth the money...and I may never go back to my old ways!
Before...
...and after!
Then we go formal and take in the orchestra & chorus concert. Here we are looking down on the 6th grade orchestra from the balcony of the auditorium. (Courtney really wanted to sit up high.) =)
Here she is performing as one of the dancers.
During rehearsals, Alyssa stood out as one of the better dancers in the group, and the music teacher asked her if she would make up a dance for one of the other songs. Here's Alyssa leading the mice in the dance she choreographed.
At the end of the play, the music teacher said he wanted to acknowledge "a special student" and recognized Alyssa for her dance. This is Alyssa as she figured out he was talking about her.
Here's Craig, Joanna, and I in the tour van.
In Winner's Circle
We eventually made our way to Melanie and Ben's house for dinner and ice cream sundaes. Here are the kids with Ken and Julie. They were so excited to spend the day with their far-away aunt and uncle (and their close-by ones, too).
a Clone Trooper ("Captain Rex"),
Hannah Montana,
and a Punk Rocker.
Sorting the loot... We started the evening at the trunk-or-treat at church then headed home to the neighborhood for a little door-to-door trick-or-treating.
Once the kids sorted their candy, the trading began. Dad (with his cool microphone) became the auctioneer and announced what candy was up for grabs.
Here's Ben helping Courtney pour in the ghost blood.
Here's Alyssa taking her turn mixing up the witches. Important note: Each person must take a turn, and you must say your name backwards as you stir. (That's why she's laughing...)
After everything is mixed, you roll the witch dough into little balls and roll them in powdered ghosts.
Then we snack on squished witches while we carve pumpkins!
Craig & Joanna
(Notice who's doing all of the work!)
Alyssa & Melanie
Our finished pumpkins!
And thanks to Melanie and Ben for a great nite!
Here's Jordan weighing his pumpkin options. Picking the right pumpkin is a decision he doesn't take lightly. Side note: Jordan always ends up choosing the biggest pumpkin he can find. Great for carving. Not so great for carrying.
Alyssa, Courtney, and Jordan posing nicely for Mom.
The farm has a tractor the kids can sit in and pretend to drive. I've taken this shot of the kids in the tractor wheel for several years now. This year, however, they had to work a little harder to squeeze in together and fit! Sigh...they're growing up way too fast!!
(And the cute smiles hide the argument over who gets to sit in the middle that occurred just seconds before the picture was taken...)
The playground at the farm is where we spend most of our time. Here are the kids heading up one of their favorite slides.
Alyssa racing to the top.
And a few stunts to keep things interesting coming down...
Alyssa and Courtney running to our other favorite slide.
There's a warning sign telling adults to slide at their own risk, but why should the kids have all the fun??
We'll be back next year!
