Fall!

I love this time of year; theoretically.  The fair comes to town (even though the magic wore off this year because the food made me sick), the weather begins to change (although in Phoenix, we’ve been in the 90’s through most of October), college football Saturdays (although ASU is officially dead to me and BYU stinks this year), Halloween decorations go up (I don’t like the gory stuff).  Well, you get the  idea.  This is a great time of year despite a few bumps.

The party season kicked off with a celebration at Lifetime Fitness for the kids.  Inflatable slides, a pumpkin patch, face- painting, etc.  Pace decided to be Spiderman to this event and had a really good time.  That night, my folks’ ward had their annual Trunk-or-Treat.  Ryan & Grandad took Pace all of whom had a lot of fun.

Thursday was Pace’s school party.  I went and saw Pace in his  natural school environment.  After seeing this, I decided I better get something good for Mrs. Burgess for Christmas this year. 

That night was the school carnival.  Games, food, fun, etc.  I didn’t go but Pace and Ryan both came home smelly  so I imagine they had a great time running around.

Friday was our ward Halloween Party.  Planned were a chili cook-off, a Jack-O-Lantern contest, and a trunk decorating contest.  I have not participated in this event up to this point because I don’t like Halloween that much but since Pace is so captivated/terrified this year, I figured I get involved for his sake.  Then it became a mission.  I started planning it out the week before and had tasks for  Ryan and I to complete each day – including a pumpkin carving night.  Party store, grocery store, back to the party store, Costco; it really was a marathon of shopping.  On Friday, I got up early and began the chili – burned it - had to clean up the mess and start again.  Then on to the van; I had my hot-glue gun, dry-ice, glow-in-the-dark bugs, black light, drop-down spider, evil-hand candy bowl, it was too exciting.  I worked on it all day. 

My brother started serving his chili in a pumpkin bowl a few years ago so I decided I give that a try; we were supposed to get to the church early to set out our chili.  At 6:00 we loaded up and headed for the church but, by the time we got there, it was mass pandemonium!  Hundreds of little princesses, Scooby-Doos, superheroes, and other characters running around, amped on candy BEFORE the trunk-or-treating even began!  I almost turfed it just getting my chili to the table.  And so it went, one chaotic event after another.  Stand in line, slam down your chili, wait for the winner to be announced.  Grab your little superhero, run for the games, eat the prize on the way to the next game.  Fly by the Jack-O-Lantern table for a split-second glance.  Tear outside and get your trunk ready for the trunk-or-treat and onslaught of hundreds of little goblins and ghouls revved up on the sugar-high of the year.  What fun;  I can’t believe I’ve missed this for so many years.  However, Pace did have the time of his life as Batman.  And, after all, wasn’t this all for him? 

Did I mention I won first place in the chili contest and best decorated trunk contest?  Maybe it was just a little for me.  I love this time of year!