Anna as Laura Ingalls Wilder and Jude as Darth Vader about to go Trick or Treating

Last weekend was Halloween and we had another unseasonably warm night for trick or treating. Anna’s costume was a big hit with everyone they visited – the cute pioneer girl. Regardless, they both had a large stash of candy by the end of the night. They kept a small amount of this for themselves and the rest went to the “switch witch” who comes during the night and takes the candy, replacing it with toys.

Anna with Chad Wonder, the magician at the 1st grade birthday party

Anna’s 1st grade class did a group party on Halloween for all the kids with October birthdays – there are four including Anna. While Anna had her own party earlier in the month, the rest of the class organized a group gathering in the park with a magician for them all. We actually hired the same magician, Chad Wonder, for Jude’s 7th birthday a couple of years ago.

Carving pumpkins for Halloween

My travel schedule has been truly crazy of late. I have been away for most of the last three weeks with trips to London, Las Vegas and New York – all for conferences. But now I am home for a while and very happy about it. It has been a grueling few weeks and now I can settle in for some time at home with the family.

This weekend was busy but it was also nice that I did not have to rush off on another trip like I had to do the past three weekends. Jude had his first game of indoor soccer yesterday which he loved. Then one of his school friends came over for a playdate in the afternoon. Anna had ice skating on Saturday and today we were up bright and early for Anna’s swim meet that started at 7am where she swam in five events. Then it was Jude’s last flag football game of the season.

Anna is ready to go for her next race