Fall Holidays

Since I got behind this month, I'll combine Halloween and Thanksgiving into one. Before we know it, it'll be the winter holiday season!

Belalu had two costumes. My mom bought her a honeybee costume, but it was a bit big on her, so for an indoor party, she was a cowgirl instead. Then, the night of trick or treating she wore the honeybee costume, though she lasted a block and a half before she was ready for bed, so E went on with our friends, I put her to bed (J was home handing out candy), and then met back up with everyone.

The Queen Honeybee in her carriage

 Essie was a fireman. He's obsessed with Fireman Sam and rescuing, helping, and saving the day.

There happened to be a rocking horse at the party- too perfect!

This year was the first time I have ever carved a pumpkin- I'm not kidding! I usually leave that job to others, but this year J was dragging his feet and one night I just decided it needed to be done. E helped, of course.

Thanksgiving was low key. We spent the day at home cooking and then went to our friends' house for dinner.

Raking Leaves

Another beloved fall tradition for our family is raking leaves. I really enjoy doing it for the first few hours. I love the smell of the dirt and grass on the ground, the faint scent of decomposition from the leaves, their dry rustle as I walk on them and rake them into piles. I especially love hearing my raking echoed in that of my neighbors as we all work on preparing our houses and yards for those long dark days of winter when we'll barely nod to each other as we rush into the house as soon as possible to escape the cold.

This year, I recruited a couple of helpers.

When the leaves are collected, they are packed into the car and taken to a nearby farm, where they will become either compost or goat food.

At the Orchard

We've been going to the same orchard for the past few years. It's become a fall tradition. Last year was Belalu's first visit.

This year, we went the first weekend it was open, at the end of August, and it was too hot. It just didn't feel right- it needs to be cool, you know, feel like fall, to be there. The good thing about going this early, however, was that Juju was able to join us before heading home for the season.

 Then we went a couple of weeks ago when it was starting to feel like fall had arrived.

This weekend we were there for a birthday party and it was cold. Like, not even 40 degrees cold. I think it's the last trip for the year.