Parade, Saints & Halloween!

The last few days leading up to Halloween were busy ones! The girls had plenty of fun at school and then of course a night of trick-or-treating. Unfortunately, Daddy missed the festivities but for good reason as he was in Chicago to attend his Grandfather's funeral. Great-Grandpa Mueller was a very loving and patient man who David respected and loved very much. Great-Grandpa Mueller knew what was most important in life - his faith and family - and always put them first. He leaves quite a legacy behind -- a wife of 57 years, 8 children, 21 great-grandchildren and 2 (soon-to-be 3) great-great grandchildren. What a life!

The girls and I stayed pretty busy earlier this week. On Tuesday, Adriana's school had their annual Halloween parade and classroom parties. 

Adriana's class parading around her school. It seriously was the cutest thing ever to see these 2 and 3 year olds walking around, singing and waving in costume. 

The children walked across the street to the "Big School" to parade in costume for the elementary students. I got this photo (sorry, it's a little blurry) of the girls spotting each other during the parade. Gabby is sitting on left wearing a headband and a white cardigan wrapped around her waist. It was so cute to see their reactions!

Afterward, her class had a party with pumpkin donuts, trail mix and juice boxes. What a morning!

The pumpkin Adriana submitted for her Pumpkin Decorating Contest at school. We did it together, but she mostly enjoyed eating the candy corn. I told her to name it and she said it was "Cindy the Whoo Owl." 

***

On Halloween, instead of wearing traditional Halloween costumes, the Kindergartners at Gabby's school celebrated and honored the Saints with a Prayer Service since the day after Halloween (Nov. 1) is All Saints Day, which is a holy day for Catholics. Each child was to pick a Saint and memorize a few lines about them to share with those at the Prayer Service. Children were encouraged to choose a Saint that they were named after or held special meaning to them. We talked with Gabby and told her that her name is from Gabriel who was an Archangel. She was immediately interested and decided she wanted to be St. Gabriel the Archangel. She remembered the story about when the angel (St. Gabriel) tells Mary she will be the mother of God's son, Jesus. She got really excited so we created a few lines and put together a very angelic costume.

Before the prayer service.

During the processional. The pianist played "When the Saints Go Marching In." Later, the children sang the song for us and it was adorable. 

Going up to the microphone to share what she knew about St. Gabriel. She said her lines perfectly and was so poised and confident. (Sorry it's a blurry photo. I was trying to video tape and take photos at the same time.)

Love her!

St. Gabriel by the Tabernacle. 

After the prayer service, Adriana and I went to a Halloween party with a mom's group we are active in again this year. She took a break from the Strawberry costume and wore Rapunzel. I wore my Minnie ears. Love this photo of us!

Wednesday afternoon we went to Gabby's class's Halloween party. Gabby sharing her treats and lap with her sister. So cute!

Playing the mummy game with toilet paper. 

For dinner, I made Jack-O-Lantern quesadillas. This is the one time playing with their food would be okay. :)

For dessert, I surprised them with carmel apples. I wanted to be sure I loaded them with sugar before trick-or-treating. ;)

Sweet Strawberry smile.

What a pretty Alice. 

Ready to hit the neighborhood. 

At the end of the night checking out the goods. 

The girls kept some of their candy but left most out for the Great Pumpkin who in return left them some fun gifts Thursday morning. They got the movie Rio and a DVD with three Christmas specials (Madagascar, Shrek and How to Train Your Dragon) along with some fun stationary and pencils. 

Hope you all had a very happy and safe Halloween!