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I don't know what to call this except November. It was so long ago. So here we go with brief picture explanations.

Samson and Thora wanted to brush my hair.

Bunny kisses to end my yoga session!

Tommy speared a cactus at the forest.

Sunset glow

That time when you find that a bottle of glue has been opened and spilled under the bunk beds...

Okay, clearly the marketers in charge of this scheme don't know the mythical rivalry and hatred that exists between leprechauns and unicorns. This pairing isn't remotely accurate!

I rest my case. The leprechaun would not invite the unicorn unless it was to death.

Ruth lent us 5-Minute Dungeon and I came downstairs one day to find them playing. Yay!

Harry Potter Party

In November, we celebrated Katie's birthday by having a Harry Potter themed party (Yeah, okay, I'm getting tired of using numbers in place of names). We had so much fun planning and preparing it! Actually putting it on was fun, too.

I could've made a themed cake, but I didn't mind this easier genuine-from-the-movie option that Katie chose. Genuine minus the name change.

Balloon owls held in place by their candy parcels they carried.

Floating candles made with paper wrapped around LED tealights, strung up with clear string and clear pushpins.

Hot glue drips for effect.

I wore my Gryffindor quidditch robe (I'm a Ravenclaw, though) and time turner necklace.

Guests entered through platform 9 3/4, of course.

Butcher paper brick wall

We do parties right and get straight to the important part: cake...and butterbeer.

While I blended up the butterbeer, Shad entertained the kids with questions like, "What spell would you make and what does it do?"

Then he had them cover their eyes for a surprise: their Potter glasses!

Then we let the kids play in the living room while Shad set up easily the creepiest version of an already creepy Mr. Ollivander the world has ever seen.

This.

One by one, Thora chose kids to come to Mr. Ollivander's shop to buy their first wand (wooden dowels, hemp, hot glue, acrylic paint).

We ended with a sorting ceremony using a Buzzfeed quiz.

This boy. Because when you don't have wizarding robes...Batman.

And then a major excitement to end the night: our passports arrived!

Momcation to Silverthorne

First weekend in November 2018:

Not much to say for my Momcation, except that it was a fantastic mountain escape where I could read, watch movies, eat food, hot tub, breathe, and think. You know, the good stuff.

Halloween

End of October:

My boys, washing dishes and loading the dishwasher together.

{Five & One}

I call this yoga move "Sun Salutations, Bun Salutations!"

Crystal and I did get back to the Incline together the Monday after our failed attempt during the Emma Crawford Races. Didn't take a picture together, but that's her behind me. My friend Leah watched my kids.

And at the top, this chipmunk just helped himself to my snack in my hand!

We had a lovely snow storm right before Halloween, so that pretty much solidified my plan to trick-or-treat at the mall and not around the neighborhood.

Two and Four built a fort.

Lazy Halloween for me this year. I'm really okay with that.

{Three, Spiderman; Two, witch; One, wizard; Four, Wonder Woman; Five, Batman pajamas}

I left Shad home to avoid the anxiety attack the mall crowds would induce. It was his intention to hand out Halloween candy...and he fell asleep. When I got home with the kids, there were some trick-or-treaters on our street, disappointed that houses with lights on weren't answering. I called them back and poured my whole bowl in their bags. Boom. Porch light off, Harry Potter on.

Next day, we started our Dia de los Muertos celebration. We colored Sugar Skulls and other pictures, watched Coco and The Book of Life, printed family pictures to create an ofrenda, set out roses, and ate churros.

{Clockwise from left: Two, Five, Four, One, Three}

He loves his messy faces.

And messy hands.

* * *

Then I went on a much needed Momcation (which is in the following blog post), but the following pictures here are Shad's pictures while I was gone.

"And one stamp later, we have Sam with a Hitler stash."

Bass Pro Shop

{Five & Four}

{Three}

{One & Two}

{Five}

Home Depot Workshop: helicopters

{Four, Five, Two, One, Three}

{Five, One, Three, Two}

I guess Spiderman and Batman exist in the same universe?

Morning cuddles!