Rocktober 2021

Despite having a teen who is rapidly phasing out of all things fun during the holidays, and a second year of pandemic restrictions, we were able to celebrate a fun 2021 Halloween!

First up, was the Halloween pumpkin carving, with his two longtime besties from preschool and 2nd grade, Sei and Momo:

"Mom, I maimed one side of owl's wings. But it's okay. It's a disabled owl and we still love her." 

- Ryan M. 

Next up in the celebration...a repeat Halloween gathering from last year with his same group of taiko friends, except this time we didn't get the older cousins, only the younger ones (they are busy with their own crazy lives, but we missed them anyway). It was a day to remember (since it took all day!) and a night to remember...as the kids had a great time, and that's all that matters. I loved how happy my nieces were!

Dinner was maki sushi, spam musubi, inari sushi, tonkatsu and quiche...since all the moms were from Japan (except me)!

The crew in costume...

The most popular game of the night!

Dime toss

Beer pong tic tac toe

Bean bag toss!

Dart throwing

Much to her popo father and sheriff mother's chagrin- the master of the beer pong!

I think she was the biggest winner of the night!

Our BINGO prize table and BINGO caller...all the moms contribute amazing prizes for these kids!

The moms, less one who arrived minutes later!

The candy trade going down post-carnival

And last but not least, the trick or treating, which I failed to capture a photo of...but Ryan went with a few school mates, while a few moms gorged on food truck fare.

I think the best part of Halloween are not just the smiles and happiness on the kid's faces, or the candy (although original Skittles are hard to beat)...but the company that you spend it with. We have hands down, found the very best family/friends on the planet...and I don't think we could have ever hoped for a better group of folks to spend the holiday with.

It has been a pretty good month for our giant cheeseburger (and yes, we did a costume repeat from last year, as he was underwhelmed by the selection at Target this year):

This month he got in some volleyball practice now that cases are back down. I got to watch him at practice one day, and he has improved so much from six months ago, thanks to his two coaches (Julian and David). Youth coaches are the truly the unsung heroes of a community.

    This kid does not learn at the ugliest courts...am I right?!

I can't believe we are minutes away from entering the final two months of the year. I couldn't be more thrilled that it's fall, y'all. I love the cooler Hawaiian weather, the pumpkin-flavored fare (I have already baked pumpkin walnuts muffins twice in Oct!), Halloween and the start to the happier holiday season.