Sunday, October 31, 2010

Halloween 2010

Halloween is my favorite holiday of the year. There are no presents, decoration and no feeling of urgency to get things done because every weekend is taken up with holiday gatherings. Halloween is a holiday to just have fun and let you imagination run wild.


One of the best parts of the holiday is helping Sophia prepare for her Halloween party at school. This year instead of decorating crazy hats the kids decorated paper bags. Being the control freak that I am I promised myself I would let Sophia design and make the entire bag herself.
And she did!

She was a "Giant spider web on a purple wall." (Her words!)

I allowed my creativity to show on the cupcakes for her class party.


On Halloween we had our 2nd Annual Halloween party. It was a blast!



The older kids enjoyed the bounce house....



while the little guys enjoyed the playdough and running around.

Of course you always know where to find Nicholas...by the food!
He always makes me feel like a great cook!


This was an exciting year since there were so many new babies celebrating their 1st Halloween!

The twins, Lucas and Ryan, with Mommy.

Kaitlyn the cutest cow EVER!


Nathan with Mommy!


Avery the ladybug.

Of course we could not have a party without Sophia's friends since birth...the twins Shawn and Matty.

Sophia Sandwich!

We were excited that the Roger Family and the Gere Family came out for some fun!

Once the temperatures started to drop it was time to get the kids ready for trick-or-treating...and of course many, many pictures!

Let the trick-or-treating begin!

Another great Halloween!

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Halloween at Sesame Street


After the amazing time that Mike, Sophia and I had at Sesame Street in the summer, my sister Adrienne and I thought it would be great to take the kids back for the, "Halloween Spooktacular." We went for 3 days and had a blast!

We planned on arriving at the hotel by 8:30pm. Thanks to New Jersey traffic and construction in New York we didn't arrive until a little before midnight. The kids slept in the car and were easily moved into the hotel room....much like luggage.


The next morning we woke up early and had breakfast at the hotel. We decided we would go to Sesame later in the day because we had tickets for the Halloween dinner and wanted to make sure that the kids would last at the park until then. So we enjoyed some time at the pool.



After our swim, a snack... and a great nap had by Ben, we were off to Sesame Street! Of course wearing the backpacks that the "bestest" Auntie Tera bought them.


"Friends Forever"




After a short ride we were there! Sophia let out her usual "Excited Scream" and Ben kept repeating the word, "Mel-mo?!" translation "Elmo!"



We explored the park, did some shopping, and spent a lot of time on Sesame Street.




Sophia loved taking pictures with the characters....

Ben was having none of that ridiculousness!




Sophia, Auntie and I took in a great Halloween show.


Again, Ben could not be bothered with the shenanigans of over sized furry creatures dancing around so he thought he would catch up on some well needed sleep before going back to chasing Sophia around the park.



Later that afternoon we enjoyed ice cream and the "Rock Around the Clock" parade. Ben liked watching it from Mommy's arms at a safe distance and Sophia couldn't wait to touch and hug the characters.






After the parade it was time to get the kids into their costumes for the "Halloween Spooktacular" party.


Tweedle Dee and Dr. Ferrara


Sophia R. Ferrara, M.D.
(I like the sound of that!)



Once in the Halloween dinner/party we couldn't get Sophia to sit down. She was to busy trying to get photos with all her "friends."



I was able to snap one picture of the Count with Ben who was turning around to see who was next to him.


But once he saw him....


picture time was over.

During the dinner there was music and dancing. Ben enjoyed dancing to the Sesame Street music in a safe distance away from any furry over-sized "Monsters."


Later that night the kids wore the Halloween pajamas Auntie Tera got them. Another reason why she is the "Bestest Auntie!"


The next day we packed up the car and spent the day at the park. Both kids had a blast. Adrienne and I did too!

Ben and Sophia could have played on Sesame Street for hours if we let them.

"Look at me Mom!"



"I can do it too!"


On the way out of the park Sophia and Ben said "Good-bye" to their friends.


Ben was happy to see Elmo back to his original self.


As we stepped into the parking lot what met us but a hay ride. Of course we couldn't leave a festive fall event without the hayride. 45 min. later we were on the ride and with Grover.

The driver told the kids they could sit next to Grover in the front so I told Sophia she could go sit with him.
My over-the -top daughter did just that!


She sat with (on) Grover!


And managed to talk his ear off the entire time!
(You can see but the look on the father's face sitting next to Grover that my child's needs for attention was well accepted by all)


After a 91/2 hour car ride we made it home.

The next day in school the kids wore their matching sweatshirts from Nana Deb to go along with the memories they share of their first vacation together.