Carving Time

We (I) carved 5 pumpkins today, which Soren's comment to this was "that's a little aggressive" I guess I just really have the Halloween spirit this year, plus my jack-o-lanterns look like they were carved by my toddler, meaning I didn't take much time/effort. Because when you have a 4 and 2-year old, the main experience is getting messy, right? It's fun to dig in the seeds and pumpkin gunk. Our daughters are exact opposites when it comes to getting dirty. As you will see in the pictures below:

Here Elsie carefully uses the official pumpkin scooper. Note how her other hand is NO WHERE near the mess.
And then there's Margot, having the time of her life! It's my thinking that the entire time she kept waiting to get in trouble for getting so messy. She eventually did get in trouble for throwing seeds/gunk across the room (after being asked several times not to do that). A person can only be so patient.

Here's the pumpkin line-up.

Ain't No Party Like a Preschool Party

Whew, those preschool teachers know how to throw a party. Last week, I volunteered in Elsie's classroom for their Harvest Party. (side note: I loved being a parent volunteer. It was so much fun to see Elsie in the classroom) The party included a trick or treat parade, face painting, bingo, two snacks, two crafts, and a game. I helped the kids make a pumpkin craft and had to assist 4 and 5 year olds cut 10 pieces of paper. I think I will brag about this accomplishment for the next few weeks.

Elsie with her ghost face paint playing a mean game of Bingo.
One happy customer.

Gulczinski Trick or Treats

Grandma and Grandpa Gulczinski had us over for their 3rd annual Halloween party. They had tons of games for the kids to play, some spooky food and lots of goodies. It's hard to say who had more fun, my parents or the kids. Here are the crazy cousins: Margot, Stella, Elsie and Gabe. We'll have to get a bigger haystack next year, because another Blake cousin will be joining us! My sister and brother-in-law are expecting their 3rd baby in February! We are SOOOO excited for a new little one!
Grandma and Grandpa with their crazies! This isn't one of my best pictures...everyone is looking in a different direction. Uncle Matt most have been doing something weird.

Elsie and her Halloween date.

The girls loved my mom's witch hat. Every time we see a witch costume Elsie and Margot say "Hey she's a witch, just like grandma!" This always makes me laugh.

Halloween a Week Early

The Halloween festivities began a week early for the Erickson girls. We make good use of our costumes (as you'll notice in later blog posts)! Last Saturday we went to the "Halloween Park," a park in Lakeville that has a Halloween party each year. We just call it the Halloween Park all year. The girls trick or treated through the park, went on a tractor ride and got to see a puppet show. Butterfly Margot enjoying her treats.
Elsie is a cupcake and Margot a butterfly for Halloween this year.

It was a perfect night to spend outside!

Getting Crafty

I think the combination of being 4 and starting pre-school has really put the craft bug in Elsie. Her mother, not being the craftiest person in the world, is working hard to encourage this side of Elsie. If we hadn't ran out of orange paper, I think Elsie would have filled the wall with her pumpkin creations. Isn't she sooo cute?!

Apple and Pumpkin Picking

Since Elsie's field trip to an apple orchard she has become a pro at the "reach, twist, pull" technique of apple picking. She had to share this knowledge with Margot which meant another trip to the orchard. The orchard was almost bare. Luckily I was able to lift the girls up so they could each get 1 apple.

Margot enjoying her apple.

I can't believe it's pumpkin time again! Gotta love wearing shorts and a tank top in October to pick pumpkins!

Margot finds the perfect pumpkin and don't you dare try to help her carry it.

Elsie admires her pumpkin and makes sure it is just a little bit bigger than Margot's.

RUN!

The Erickson crew ran a 10K, 5K, and 1K race. The brain teaser for the day will be for you to match the Erickson with the race. It was a gorgeous day for a run and some family fun. Elsie loved that she was able to go through the snack tent after the kid race and Margot loved doing everything she wasn't supposed to do...such as, climbing on top of the haystack obstacle course while innocent children were crawling underneath it. Elsie and Margot looking very serious during their run. The shadow camera man is Soren, so I guess we can count this as a family picture.
The Lundberg family joined us in the fun. My good friend, Alyssa, and I go all the way back to 1st grade! Oh how the times have changed :)