A Few More Tricks Up Our Sleeves

Our little 50s girl was up bright and early Sunday morning, apparently eager to get the Halloween fun started again. Maybe it was because she was up late, maybe it's because she wouldn't eat pizza for dinner, who knows, but she was not happy in her crib and didn't even make it until 6:30. I know that her mood drastically improved when Daddy got her up, because there was lots of noise as Mama tried to sleep in.

I had to keep the nursery at church and for once it wasn't a mad dash to get there. I commend parents with young children who are able to go each Sunday. It is all we can do to get in a morning nap, get Avery dressed and out the door, have her home when her lunch bell starts ringing at noon, and get down for another nap. Avery had lots of fun playing and climbing on every chair in the room. She also sat very nicely when we went into church for the children's sermon, which she did not do for me last time.



We rushed home for lunch, played for a bit, and then Avery took her afternoon nap. While she napped, I made Paula Deen's Gooey Butter Cake with pumpkin added. I think adding the healthy pumpkin really cancels out the 2 sticks of butter. The recipe is also delicious plain, and her cook book has lots of other variations.

After nap we picked up some chicken and headed to Lolli and Poppa's for dinner. Avery managed another huge meal of ranch potatoes and mandarin oranges. Chicken and green beans were tasted and quickly spit out. We got Avery all dressed again and loaded up into the wagon. She missed alot of the trick-or-treaters because we were eating but enjoyed seeing them while she got dressed. It was so fun to visit the same people that I did when I was small. The crowd was bigger this year because many towns trick-or-treated last night and lots came for round 2. It was still a good crowd and a great representation of small-town life. Avery was sure she was in a parade and gave all the other people and cars a hearty "Hi!" She clung tightly to 2 Butterfingers that she had taken from Lolli and Poppa's and basically turned them to mush. We still only visited a handful of houses and did much more talking than candy taking. Next year I'm sure we'll be going to every house.







After trick-or-treating we headed to the Baptist church for a party. There were so many people there that we only stayed for a few minutes. Next year Avery will be able to voice her opinion so I'm sure we won't be able to sneak away. It was just too crowded to move. We left the party and went back to Lolli and Poppa's to change into pajamas then headed home and put Avery straight to bed.



It was a whirlwind weekend but so, so fun. I love starting and continuing family traditions and of course seeing these things through Avery's eyes. We're pretty sure she's going to be expecting costumes, wagon rides, and candy each night this week.