Dear Ben– Just for your sake, I rushed to get these photos done. Trust me, it was hard, I am so behind on everything and I’m pulling out my hair wondering why I always, always plan more for a day than I can possibly accomplish.
Halloween makes us miss you because you are such a crazy goofy nut with your capes and costumes. I didn’t realize how securely I’d indoctrinated you in anti-scariness until Mary Lund told me that you were well known among your friends for staying home from the horror movies and haunted houses. Hans and Stefan are doing the same (holy cow, did you know haunted houses cost $25? Hmm, maybe that was your real reasoning). I don’t remember ever saying, “No, you can’t go.” or “No you can’t watch that.” (maybe I did?) But I find it gratifying that my anti-scary, pro-fun form of celebrating has rubbed off on you.
OK, this is scary! But knowing your love for spider and cockroaches, we couldn’t resist. And it would have looked sacrilegious to have bugs crawling over our picture of Jesus.
I never have to wake kids up on Halloween. At the crack of dawn, Mary and Gabe were bouncing around the kitchen– “Can you comb my hair?” “Where’s my frog?” “Can we have candy for lunch?” It was hard to break the news that they had three more hours until school.
After school the Linkous’ stopped by since all four little girls are the princess and the frog. Do you recognize the dress? Aren’t you proud of me that I didn’t buy something new?
Stefan and Hans are both YOU. Your favorite sweater is a little tight on Stef, but he swishes the cape almost as well as you do. And Hans pulled out your famous Peter Pan costume— well, at least part of it. We knew Stef had really slipped into persona when he was acting like a goofball and I said, ‘Ben! Knock it off!”
Merlin!
Bond. James Bond.
Gabe decided he’s going to wear a tux every day from now on.
especially little red Audrey.
those eyelashes!
Hans’ friends. Definitely adorable.
Hugs and kisses, Mom
p.s. Ben can’t read the blog or access and web pages besides his email and lds.org, but I send him the blog posts in his email and he scolds me when I don’t write. 🙂
Cath
In love with all the costumes. And really? You didn’t buy new for Mary? Yes! SO proud of you!! Sounds like a magical night with wonderful neighbors. You are blessed on all sides! xoxo
michelle
Love this:
“I love the extraordinary efforts saying, “We love our neighbors.” “We love these kids.” “We’ll do everything we can to make this a welcoming, safe and happy place for your family.”
And the neighbors are, of course, blessed to have you and your family.
Nothing scary here. A picture perfect Halloween.
I saw this poem on a friend’s blog which to me sums up what Halloween is about:
Childhood is the world of miracle or of magic.
It is as if creation rose luminously out of the night,
all new and fresh and astonishing.
Childhood is over the moment
things are no longer astonishing.
~Eugene Ionesc
Linn
Love the non-scary Halloween–I am so not into the alternative. And fabulous costumes!
bkbsmiles
Great pictures! It’s all about the fantasy and doesn’t need to be scary to have a great Halloween. My nieces were “Hello Kitty”(age 4) and a Cow Girl(age 6)
Lisa
Creativity is overflowing at your house…Ben will really like seeing all of you I am sure. I love Halloween too, and it sure was fun seeing you in a photo.
Tracy
OH this is fabulous. I actually dressed up this year – almost a first for me. That is quite possibly the cutest frog ever.