It's October! It's still beach weather but everyone tries to wear sweaters and boots!

The Party Planning Committee decided to decorate the house early this year. Inside! There are too many real spiders building webs outside (orb spiders, they get really big, Google them!) so we have confined the decorations to the living room.

Until then, you can breathe easily knowing that we have our costumes selected: a therizinasaurus (dinosaur), creepy teddy bear who will eat humans, and a skeleton. That's all pending, I fully expect some late game changes with the skeleton, but the other two had better stick to their choices!

It was a big moment when we went through the costume box and realized that 

1. We don't play dress up anymore!

2. Most of the costumes no longer fit 

It really hit home that I have all big kids. My two Littles were very patient helpers as we dropped off extra decorations and costumes at two consignment shops in Encinitas. Maybe we'll make enough money to pay for the candy. Probably not. 

The last stop was to make donations at a thrift shop which supports animal rescue. It just so happens to be located next to an amazing bakery! Win win!

Full of seasonal cookies, we went shopping in the thrift store we had just made donations to (a leopard can't change her spots) and we scored a few treasures. I found a vintage necklace that is really going to take my witch costume to the next level.

I actually got a compliment from Jacob, "You have some good theories, Mom"  I advised him to buy the $4 Imaginext pirate island toy even though it was missing the figures. Uh, score! This is the kid whose catch phrase is "No offense but...." Yup, it's a scary time to be his mom as he doles out his unsolicited opinions. 

We're looking forward to pumpkin patch visits, petting zoos, apple cider, Chris's birthday, a school field trip, probably some bouncy houses at different pumpkin patches, baking spooky treats, and all of this culminating in the greatest night of the year, All Hallows Eve!

VG's Bakery in Cardiff

There is a sports bar between the bakery and the thrift store. They have good murals!

Bush cat in the fake leaves.

Wait for the updates. I put up even more decorations. This was the quick and dirty first round.