Halloween 2021: The Addams Family

When the calendar struck October 1, we started decorating the house, watching scary movies together (Monster house! Muppets Haunted Mansion! The Addams Family!) We carved pumpkins and maybe ate a bit too much candy. 

And after all that fun build-up, Halloween 2021 turned out to be one of the best Halloweens ever! But don't take my word for it, take yours! We trick-or-treated with the Hanrihans, Longs, Larsens, and Rainey-Ellises in a new neighborhood and after the panedmic, everyone was so excited to have a regular-ish Halloween that they were super generous and gave out so much candy!

Julia, you got a full-size snickers and ran down the road with it high in the sky like a victory trophy! "I GOT A FULL SIZE SNICKERS!"

Aidan, your basket was so full that it was almost too heavy for you to carry!

You guys got candy and play-do and crayons and more candy! And more candy!

And when we got home, we were able to GIVE candy to neighbors and trick-or-treaters!

And we got to do it as a family... one creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky family!

And for me, that is what Halloween is all about-- being together with friends and family and divulging in a LOT of sweetness together.

Trick or Treat!

SNOWMAGEDDON 2021!!!!

 It got cold. Then it got colder. And it started snowing...and kept snowing. And most of the city...most of the state... lost power and/or water. We fortunately lost neither...and we went on snow hikes and made snow angels and tried and tried and tried (and finally succeeded at) sledding. There were snowball fights and capture the flag and tossing snowballs to the neighbor's dog, Winnie. There were snowmen and icicles and plastic-bagged feet and frozen snot and eye juice. There was stew. Lots and lots of stew. And cold nights and warm hearts.

It was the first real major snowstorm in Dallas since I was younger than both of you. And we are so fortunate to have spent the snowmageddon with you two snow bunnies by our sides!

Happy Halloween 2019!

Take a couple of wizards (Harry AND Hermione)...

...add one Miguel from Coco...

...and some great neighbor friends...

 ... and you got yourself a SWEET Halloween!

So check out a few of the tricks and treats of a fun, lovely, c-c-c-cold Halloween!

 

...at the end of the night, the five of y'all piled in the back of the car, the lights went out, and y'all went quiet as you started chowing down on candy, candy, CANDY!

CANNONBALL!

It took a long time. There was a lot of stress, and conflict, and tears, and delays, and cursing. But your Mommy and I took matters into our own hands, inspired by and FOR you guys. We didn't want to miss another summer of swimming. And <clap> We <clap> DID IT!

So Jump on in! The water's fine! We now have our very own swimming pool!!! 

And we've been swimming nearly every day- with each other...with friends and neighbors and family...just before a tornado warning and just after a giant thunderstorm knocked a tree into our backyard. 

We've had to learn how to care for a pool and treat it with chemicals and fix a Gordo.

We've had plenty of time with cousins and friends.

We've jumped into cold water and bath water, in the morning, in the night. 

We've scrubbed the walls, and rescued bees and frogs.

You've worn socks and swim shoes and our goggles melted in the sun.

But nothing, nothing, nothing has stopped our fun!

It was a boyhood dream of mine to have a pool. And I'm so glad I get to realize that dream with you two and mommy!

We did it!

The first day there was water in it we told you guys you could put your feet in. 

Within minutes, you were first in Julia. And then before you knew it, we were All in! And we haven't hardly gotten out since!

It's been a splashing good summer so far swimming in our pool before and after dinner, playing (and making up) games (including Math Splash, Rhyme Time, Donkey Kong, Grand-mama, Freeze Dance, Ninja Jump, Mr. Fox Mr. Fox What time is it, and Safari). And I can't wait to get home and jump in with y'all again!