So October has come and gone here in Bonita. We did several Halloween themed activities this year. We went to the Family Matters Halloween Carnival again and had a great time like always. Each year Jane and her army of Red Shirt (volunteers) out do themselves and this year was no different. We had rain at the last moment and they magically shifted everything from outside (games, craft tables and prize booths) to upstairs in the LGBT Center. They had an awesome DJ and face painter along with delicious gourmet pizza, salad and pasta for dinner. They had an event where the kids got to make their own cupcakes. They did the costume contest and parade - which our kids really love. The prize booth was well stocked with toys and games. It was great to see all the families and meet new ones. We've had so much fun at the Halloween event we are seriously considering adding the Christmas one to our list of must do events.
This year we outdid ourselves with the pumpkin carving. The top left pumpkin eating the other pumpkin along with the fleeing one next to it was done by the dads. The one in the far right was drawn (all by herself) by Siddha who decided to help the dads with theirs. The bottom row far left was done by Miss Nani and the one in the middle is the moms contribution to the scene. The last one was Tre's super mutant and scarred offering to the Halloween spirits this year. We got the pumpkins just around the corner at our local pumpkin patch. We had the Grand Queers (Grand Dad Don & Papi Micheal) over for dinner then headed over for hay rides, feeding friendly livestock, and of course picking pumpkins! This year we had two witches and a ninja - I'll ask Leng to get some pictures up here on the blog shortly. The Moms sewed up a storm one solid weekend and got all the costumes done. They love that part of costumes and look forward to it every year.
We went trick or treating with the Musico family since our neighborhood is very light with the houses that participate. We drove our way into Kensington with a side dish and drink to have dinner with them at their house then went from house to house. They really do it up in their part of town. They had one house that was converted into a castle along with games that the kids could play by paying candy - they had a bowling game as an example. We saw another house that was playing old black and white horror movies on the side of it. Another place had a giant spider made out of lights that was strung up between two palm trees a good 30 feet up in the air. The kids were awed and amazed - they were a little too terrified of some places but over all I think they had a great time.
We also went to Sunnyside's Halloween Carnival this year. The kids had fun doing the host of games they had including a Hospital of Horrors, Lollipop Tree, Cake Walk, Maze and Miniature Golf. Lisa baked several sheets of creepy cupcakes with eyeballs on them. Some of us manned booths for the event and others escorted kids around from booth to booth. They had a taco plate for the dinner options there along with pizza (always a safe bet with kids). It was great to see the decorations the kids helped make for the event and to see the poster's Lisa made as well for the school.
Just before that we dropped them off at Leng's work (KPBS) for her work party (they had a very full Halloween season) where they got pizza, some games and another costume contest followed by a parade. Leng got to be a proud momma of three very energetic and articulate kids. They always love being in what they perceived as "adult only" places and getting to see where the working parents spend their time. Leng also got bond with other working moms and see their families.
This month also had a flood of birthdays - Uncle Dan's, Larry, Don and Lisa to name a few. Larry's birthday this year was a brunch out at Park House Eatery with a bunch of friends and the kids. It was lovely - we haven't done that in a while with the prep for the move, the move and then the aftermath. Lisa's birthday we gathered at Stacked - a great place where you order your food through iPads (kids loved that) and literally can customize almost every part of your meal. We gathered with family & friends and took over a couple of tables. Don's birthday was very low key since he has been hosting a grip of boat racing events so we dropped off a lovely little cake, card and gifts with a promise to get together when he's had some more rest and celebrate properly.
We had two bouts of house guests this last month as well. Christine and Hia (school friends of Leng's) came out to visit for about 5 days and it was lovely. It was great to see them with the kids (they have superior Auntie skills) and it was delightful to have the adult time after the kids were down for the night. They brought yummy asian desserts to the house almost every day which was a big hit with the parents and it was great to see Leng reconnect with old friends.
Stephen and Jenni also came down to stay for a week unexpectedly. Stephen had some family business to take care of but we still found time to hang out and chat. They too brought tasty treats - baked goods - to share with the house so it was a nice change. It was good to get time to talk more with Jenni as well since we haven't had as much time with her as Stephen. Both of them staying really highlighted how great our new set up is for having house guests for extended stays. They have their own room and bathroom so they can keep their own schedule without anyone getting in any one else's way. It was easy to keep the kid's schedule going and still let our guests follow their timetables.
This Sunday is Tre's 8th birthday party at Chuck E Cheese. Grammy Jo flies in this Friday afternoon to attend the event and spend a week with the grandkids. This Monday will be a movie night to see Wreck It Ralph with Grandma Graham and Grammy Jo for the actual day of Tre's birth. I suspect we will have some baking going on as well like we do when Grammy Jo visits along with some great home cooked meals.
That's our month and like I said earlier - house guests are so doable with the new place sooooooooo please come on down or over or up for a visit. Drop us a line and let's get something on the calendar. Love to you all and see you next month for the next update.
