A Wicked Halloween

I could do without the "holiday" of Halloween, as I've mentioned before.  Iver, however, is in love with dressing up and all things spooky.

This past weekend, we went to a parking lot Haunted House at ACE Hardware, and busted out Iver's old lobster costume, which fit Niall. Iver didn't want to ruin his costume (wait for the reveal...) so went in a beloved tank top and shorts.

Here is "Halloween Lobster" (Iver), 2015.

Still obsessed with the Wizard of Oz, Iver wanted to be Dorothy for Halloween. We were fine with it and he was so excited.  We were, as a result, required to dress to match him. 

Who wore it best? 

Left: Vanessa, with Toccata, circa 1990. 

Right: Iver with Pepper, 2018.

 

Scarecrow #1 (Kelvin had two different people actually make him a costume!) and Cowardly Lion

Iver wanted me to be the Wicked Witch of the West. 

Here he is sporting my hat and skirt (as a cloak).

Cutest witch ever?

More pictures and posing, Halloween Morning. The "ruby slippers" are actually pink (mom online shopping fail!), but he still loves them.

With our camera's timer

Silly one

 

Kelvin and I both had long clinic work days, but Nina sent us some photos from the preschool's Halloween parade, which neither of us could make this year.

In the evening, I donned some green (but it's pretty subtle in photos!) face paint, and we went trick-or-treating in our neighborhood.

At our neighbors'

Niall playing with Iver's bounty (minus the peanut treats)

Phew. At least I have another year before doing that again!

Redding weekend getaway

 Kelvin had planned to attend a Rural Roundtable of directors of Northern California's FQHCs in Redding this weekend, so I had planned some PTO and (with kids) we all went together. Coming off a busy season of travel with our last-minute Minnesota trip last weekend, another several days of travel with a spirited three-year-old and a usually mellow, now cranky infant with another daycare URI was definitely challenging, but it was nice to enjoy some warm sunshine, dry heat, and see some new (and kid-friendly) sites, as well as our good residency friend, Char. It has probably been close to five years since K and I ventured east on the (highway) 299 to Redding (about 3 hours), which had a devastating (Carr) fire earlier this summer. 

We took a tour of Lake Shasta Caverns north of Redding, which included a short boat ride across the large, man-made lake (the second largest in California).

 

The Visitors' Center had a giant bear!

We were among a small group of tourists on a weekday morning to go through the cave.

 We saw tons of stalactites and stalagmites, and many interesting other formations, like "cave bacon" and "drapery."

 Cave discoverers, 1878

"The Chimney"

Cave Drapery

 

This guy, who (either in response to jet lag from Minnesota or in anticipation of a time-change next weekend) has regressed to waking up around 4:30- 5 a.m., was pretty tuckered by the end of the tour, and fell asleep on the short busride back to the parking lot!

On Friday when Kelvin was occupied at his meetings, I took the kids to Rare Air Trampoline park, where Iver jumped to his heart's desire during Toddler Time.

We passed some time at Enterprise Park, which had a really nice kids' playground called "Kids' Kingdom." There is a splash pad/volcano fountain that operates seasonally (although not in this season).

We did a Trader Joe's run as well.

Our good residency friend, Char, joined us on Friday night from Grass Valley with her 3-year-old, Kiran, and we enjoyed pizza and some fun hotel hang out time.

Reading at Cinders Wood Fired Pizza

Iver and Kiran enjoyed coloring with Wonder Markers

 

Reading Room on the Broom, a pre-Halloween hit!

 Hilton breakfast

We took the kids to the trail by scenic Sundial Bridge, where we strolled, Kiran scooted, and Niall slept.

 Sacramento River

We then visited the nearby Turtle Bay Exploration Museum.

Parrots

Grass Valley "Elliott" Redwood

Turkey vulture

Bobcat

Golden Eagle

Gray Fox

Turtles

 The playground was a definite hit.

Iver pushing Kiran

Fish Tank

 Old car

 Slime! 

 

Thankfully, both kids napped for about half of the drive back to Humboldt County, and we get to enjoy a few weeks of nights in our own beds for now.  It's been an exhausting month and it's good to be home!