Fall Fun, Pumpkin Pancakes, and a Week of Halloween Happenings

Warning:  I'm about to overload you with adorable photos from our week of Halloween fun.  

We've really been getting into the Halloween spirit around here this week, packing as much fall fun into each day as humanly possible.

We've spent almost every afternoon playing outside in the yard.  Katherine loves picking up the fallen leaves and has started an impressive leaf collection.

I even made pumpkin pancakes for breakfast one morning.  They were the perfect accessory to these cute Halloween straws.  

{Pumpkin pancakes.  Similar recipe here.}

On Thursday night, we headed to Grant's Farm for their Halloween festivities.  Katherine enjoyed the train ride, the light up princess wand her daddy bought her, and of course the carousel.  

{Carousel riding is the best.}

Friday, Jason was off so we headed to the park for some fun in the sun.  My little dare devil tried to climb the rock wall and was anxious to go down the big slide by herself.  We let her try the "kiddie" slide first, which she immediately decided was lame.  As soon as she went down the big kid slide she was hooked.   

{"The park is SO FUN!"}

{"This slide is lame."}

{"It's ok.  I know what I'm doing,"}

{"THIS.  SLIDE!"}

On Saturday, we went to Spooky Saturday at the zoo.  Here, we unveiled this year's costume:  Kitty Cat (or "Kee Cat").  She was so excited about being a "kee cat" that every animal we saw at the zoo was a "kee cat."  She would point to the sea lions and say "kee cat!"  Oh well.  At least she was enthusiastic about it.  

{"No.  I will not turn around."}

{Refusing to smile.  As usual.}

{Walking with Aunt Mandy and getting lots of attention from strangers.}

{Every where we go, we must ride the carousel.}

She really did have fun at the zoo, despite the look on her face in most of the pictures.  And if all these fun activities weren't enough, on Sunday we went to Trunk or Treat.  Katherine had a blast and got lots of candy.  Because I didn't have a chance to wash her costume before Trunk or Treat, she technically went as "Smelly Cat."  By the end of the night, she had half of her cat make-up still on her face and she was covered in Cheetos crumbs and cupcake icing.  I'll be shaking crumbs out of her tutu for days.  

{Photo credit: Kelli Lowe}

After a much needed bath, Katherine passed out as soon as her head hit the mattress.  Is it possible for kids to have a candy hangover?

I'm exhausted and Halloween is still a few days away!  Monday is also the beginning of my birthday week.  Yay!