Day 9

Can you read that? I was merely trying to demonstrate the activity listed on the back of the ornament (like all of them have). This one reads "make caramel apples".

I suppose I could have gone old school, but the kids are very insistent on not only doing the entire scope of our Halloween-countdown activities, but anytime I go into the kitchen, they run to get their aprons and pull up a chair.

Using the store-bought caramel and melting on the stove made for a much more kid-friendly activity. Although, next year, I believe we'll try it the old-fashioned way.

I love that the kids get so excited about the days' activity.

How do I know these activities are a highlight?

Only today, Lane was home from work and requested Jane for a little help. Normally, this kind of request would send the child flying -- forgetting toys, favorite TV shows, even cookies -- but today she simply told her Daddy, "No. I'm helping Mommy."

Thinking back, I think it's the only time something with Mommy has trumped something with Daddy.

And, just in case you were wondering, the apples were delicious.

P.S. Did you notice the drastic change in my children's wardrobes from yesterday to today? Tank tops and shorts to sweaters? This is because Wednesday's high temp was 84 degrees. Today the high reached 54 degrees. No wonder my plants are suffering ... I can barely handle it. Welcome to Texas.