Halloween is here!! Halloween!!!

This Fall is special, its a fall i have never experienced, but had always ( secretly ) dreamed of. It is the magic season of harvest goodies of all kinds, the season of pumpkin patches, hey rides, apple orchards, and Halloween fun. I have always enjoyed the season, but at the same time always felt a little empty experiencing it alone, while watching slews of enthusiastic children with their parents in toe. I have attended orchards and drunk apple cider, and watched other people's children roll around in hey, jump on tractors and weeeee all the way. I dreamed of having this experience with my own child. I dressed up for Halloween and went to bunches of Halloween events, but usually avoided staying home to give out candy to "trick-o-treat "ers. The truth is that it would always make me feel sad and misplaced in a way, and since i valued positive thinking, i mostly avoided those experiences that would negatively affect my psyche.
So, for all of these reasons, this year is special to me, because of my daughter being old enough to partake, as well as understand and appreciate these experiences.
The first Fall fa-la-la-la-la of the season was our trip to the Fall festival, although aside from the pumpkin that we purchased on the way out, it didn't seem to have any connection with Fall. We had a blast watching her do the jump houses and the slides, saw exotic animals on display and had general type of fun. The next day we sat in the park and carved a pumpkin together, which was the first one for all of us -- ever.

Later came my pumpkin casserole, pumpkin pie, and lastly, pumpkin soup, which we struggled to finish. We must be pretty pumpkin-ed out :)
Then this weekend we went to another pumpkin patch that had a petting zoo, a pony ride and a bouncy house, but not much else. We had a pretty good time, until the 40 minutes melt down in line for the face painting. The artist was doing an awesome job, and the kid really wanted to have her face painted. It took us about an hour to get a butterfly on the cheek.

But the rest of the day was lovely, especially watching some babies in costumes, and petting goats.
But this morning is a Halloween!!!! Last night i told the kid she should go to sleep quickly, to wake up early for the special day. She was told she had a bumblebee costume waiting for her, and a preschool Halloween party. I stayed up making the most fabulous kid friendly mac-n-cheese for the preschool party. This  morning she woke up bright and happy to put on her bumblebee pantyhose, and antennas, and beautiful wings, and a tutu!!! I felt so exhilarated!!!

It is the best Halloween dress up experience i have ever had! And, the day is still new -- there is a Halloween trick-o-treating tonight at the historical houses museum!!!