Ode to Fall

I'm so excited about Fall finally getting here. I hate, hate, hate the heat, so any reprieve from the summer is appreciated, but only in the Fall is it the real deal.  I know it is officially Fall by two things: the end of "Cheap-Pop Summer" pricing at QT and Kum and Go, and the appearance of "APPY TAPPLES" at the grocery store! Yesterday, it was officially FALL!
I love weather that lets me wear sweatshirts but still wear shorts; makes me wear a jacket, but still lets me play outside with the kids without freezing; and especially do most of the summer activities I love without sweating! I also love Fall because Halloween is the best holiday in the WORLD. Kids in costumes begging for candy while adults try to scare the bejeezus out of them...genius!
Finally, I love the fall because in my house it is the season for birthdays. B's birthday is the day before Halloween; H's the day after. (which may have something to do with my love for the holiday)  They are exactly two years and two days apart.  Up to this point, I have been very lucky - getting away with having one giant Birthday/Halloween party for the kids.  I LOVE throwing Halloween parties! The decorations, the fun, creative foods, the games...there is nothing I don't love about it. The more witches, superheros, cowboys and monsters running around the house the better in my book. Up to last year, as the kids transitioned from "family and family friends only" parties to "family, family friends and school friend" parties, the event got bigger and bigger - to the point that there were so many birthday presents (thanks, in most part, to my family) that it took almost an hour to open them all! So last year we decided to skip the presents and just have the party. It worked for the most part, but the families still went overboard.
This year, I am sad to say, the children have rebelled against my one-big-halloween-birthday-party Party and have demanded their own separate parties.  B opting for Phineas and Ferb; H choosing a Butterfly theme.  I'm okay with the separate parties - I can do that, and, honestly, a traditional cake and ice cream party is a heck of a lot easier than the Halloween shindigs we've thrown in the past. 5 guests, cake, ice cream, pizza - done.  But I'm sad about loosing Halloween as my special holiday - as OUR special holiday.  I plan for this party all year - finding fun food recipes, ideas for decorations, etc.  So I am ready - with nowhere to go! Maybe I'll just throw a Halloween party, too! -have B's on Friday, Halloween party on Sunday,  move H's party to the following weekend.... hmmm....that deserves some thought.  Now, just have to schedule in the Brandt's Race, Fall Festival at the Orchard, Pumpkin picking... I wish Fall had a few more months in it!! Happy Fall, everyone! and wish me luck.

Christine