Edy's Slow Churned

A few months ago when I was preparing an evite for an event, I noticed a contest in the sidebar. I clicked on the link, and read about Edy's Slow Churned Neighborhood Salute where they select neighborhoods to hold ice cream parties. Since I love our neighborhood, and we actually are friends with our neighbors, I decided to enter. I wrote out a little essay describing what we do together, and why I thought we should win, and submitted my entry. I didn't give much further thought to it, but I got an email about a month later saying I had won the grand prize! I was one of 1,500 winners, but still! Free ice cream! So I sent out evites, and we got ready for our party. Edy's delivered a box full of party supplies- cups, spoons, scoops, napkins, invitations, coupons, an apron, disposable camera, sign, table cloths, and a 10 cartons of ice cream as well as 36 individual sized cups. I was a little nervous because thunderstorms were predicted for last night, but we decided to go ahead with the party. We started the party amid rumbles of thunder, and even had to move inside for a little bit as some rain came down. But in the end, it was a lot of fun and delicious- everyone brought some kind of topping to put on the ice cream, and there were lots of flavors to chose from. I didn't take a lot of pictures, since it rained and was pretty dark, but here are some from the beginning.

Halloween

This year was the first that N got really excited for Halloween. He remembered from last year, and couldn't wait to wear his Buzz costume. Fortunately, we got a couple of chances to dress up with a trick or treat night in town, as well as a mini-church party.





Halloween evening was beautiful-clear and crisp, perfect for an evening out. My parents and sister came over for dinner, since they wanted to see the kids in costume. After eating a delicious (although rushed) meal together, I set off with the kids, Cara, and a couple of other moms and their kids. E and her friends raced from house to house, having to be called back a couple of times, and reminded about Halloween etiquette-- saying "Trick or Treat!!" and "Thank-you!" I followed a little more slowly, since I was carrying the baby on my front (was my back killing at the end of the night!), and pulling the wagon. I got a chance to chat with the neighbors I knew, and introduce myself and the kids to the ones we didn't. About halfway around, N decided he had enough and climbed into the wagon. There he sat like a little prince ruling over his domain of candy, and me the horse of his carriage. He happily munched on candy and when asked if he wanted to go up to the next house, he held out his pumpkin and ruled, "No, you can get my candy for me." Ah yes. I forgot, not only was I a lowly beast of burden, but also the collecting agent, gathering the prince's dues. I did oblige him a couple of times, but then refused on the grounds of not needing any more candy. So we continued on, each of us enjoying our evening in our own way- E with her friends, N in his wagon, K hanging out, taking it all in, and me talking with a couple of other moms who were walking with us. When we got back the kids poured out their candy, counted and surveyed their loot while Ed and I surreptitiously sampled a few pieces.








Now there is candy everywhere. This is not good for my efforts to lose baby weight, especially since we are well into the dieter's Bermuda Triangle of holidays. But I can't let it go to waste, can I?

Pumpkin Picking

The pumpkins this year were perfect. We had a wheelbarrow full without even trying. Last year there were lots of rotten ones, but this year they were big, firm and beautiful. We ended up getting 6- 4 orange, 2 white. At the festival there were the rides you need to pay for (we did the pony ride & tot train) and then there were the freebies- cornstalk maze, sitting on the real tractor, jumping across the hay bales while listening to the live band. Although the kids had fun on the paid rides, when we asked them their favorite part of the day, it was the free stuff they listed. Maybe next year we will skip the other stuff, but probably not, since E is very into traditions and doing the same exact thing from year to year. I wonder where she got that from? ;)

N pulling his pumpkin to the wheelbarrow



Three little pun'kins




"I like this one because it has a widdle wummy (little wormy) on it!"
(giggling) "It's so cute! And tickly too!"



Hay bales