This Halloween I Realized My Babies Are Not Babies

How did this happen? How did time pass so fast that I feel this feeling and realization has come out of left field? How did it not sink in before that this baby phase is slowly fading?

Ok maybe I'm being a tad dramatic.

I was just a bit taken aback, mostly in awe, of watching the kids on Halloween. We took them both trick-or-treating, thinking they will tire quickly, that we would need to carry both at some point,  and that they would be timid or scared at some points (they are only 1 and 3 after all).

But no.

Caiden had a big day, dressed as IronMan. He embodied the whole character. He went to a party at school, had a blast, and then came home to rest...he knew he had big plans in the evening. Sure enough, when the time came, he was eager saying to the rest of us "C'mon!!" 

Rayna was her favourite character, Minnie Mouse. She looked adorable and once given her pail, was walking around signaling for her shoes.

As we all, dressed, headed down our block, it hit me. We have hit the years where we don't just dress them up for pictures and visits to family. We have entered the age of them actually wanting to partake in activities and us enjoying it with them. Where they know what's to come and actually look forward to it and it become a known family venture. I love it. At the same time, I an taken aback at how quickly it seems to have come.  As we walked house to house, Caiden would turn to us at each house and say "wait...I go myself", wanting for us to go to back off and let him be a big boy. With the same token, I would follow suit with Rayna, who, shockingly, would stand there and reach for the candy then say "that tu" as she received her treat.

This was all super cute, so amazing to be out with my family and watch my kids reach this stage...yet so unfathomably crazy surreal it feels to have two walking, semi-talking toddlers enjoying Halloween.

Toddlers...not babies...soon they will be kids...sigh.

So of course I must chronicle and take pictures!

What a great one. Our other festivities included the pumpkin patch, Vandusen Glow and a family Halloween party!

One for the books!

Halloween is Approaching...Let's go Shopping

Now that I have toddlers, I look forward to making sure every holiday or event is well represented, fun, and enjoyed as a family. 

It starts out with decorating at home fo sure.

Halloween is one of those events. It is so fun for the kids. Why not go decorate with some fun, spooky, and festive ways? On top of that, dressing up truly gets you in the spirit...and it brings out the kid in you as well. I think my son gets even more excited when he sees us dress up too.

However, as you must be thinking, trying to do it all...decor, costumes, little touches here and there, it can get costly. This is true, well kind of.

I recently discovered that Halloween stuff can actually come at a good price, if you check out Value Village. We have gone there a couple of times now, specifically for Halloween. I think you would be amazed.

Here's why:

1. Rows and rows and rows of costumes, wigs, accessories and makeup. There's something for all ages, sizes and theme.

2. Ideas galore. If you are stuck, this is a great place for inspiration. There's an idea poster, and just by walking around, I bet you will start putting together something fun.

3. Contrary to what you may think, not everything is used. The Halloween section is primarily comprised of NEW items, fully packaged. 

4. Costumes yes...but also decor! You have your pick of skulls, bones, skeletons, dead roses, you name it! I guarantee you will find tonnes to decorate your place without breaking the bank!

We had a fun time gathering some key items to kick off Halloween preparation.  Check out my haul of a bag of bones, glow in the dark skeletons, cookie cutters, pumpkin carving kit, garlands, window stickers...and so much more.

Caiden had a blast helping put some stuff up.

I will share with you the final look, but wanted to just share how impressed I was with the selection and thrifty prices.  Check out my social media for updates as we finalize our costumes and finish decorating. 

Check out #thriftortreat  and seriously if you want to go all out, or even a little bit, this Halloween, go check out the Value Village spooky selections.

Have fun!

#thriftortreat