"Howaween Not Scardy!"

Over the last month, we've had an ongoing conversation in our family, "Mommy, Howaween Not Scardy! Not Real, Just Fun!"

It all started with a little skeleton hung outside Bereket's daycare. It was a just a seasonal decoration, but it paralyzed Bereket with fear.  So did the huge spiders and other spooky displays at the YMCA, where our church meets. Bereket would run to me shaking with tears in her eyes, and I would hold her. I would tell her that Halloween wasn't scary, it was make believe and she was going to be a princess for the night!

Our fun began well before Halloween when we picked out the perfect pumpkin with my sister's kids and my mom at Pinter's Gardens near Decorah.

After we picked the right gourd, then came some makeover magic! Grandma LuAnn was here to help Bereket put the funny face on.

Here's the big pumpkin on display with a mini one she painted at Jenna's (her beloved daycare provider).

For the last several weeks, she has brought home a fall-inspired craft every day from Jenna's. We hung up the big spider with Mr. Sunshine because in our house Halloween is not scary!

Then came the first of two consecutive dress up nights.  The AWANA program at our church was having a costume night on the 30th and that's when Bereket debuted her Cinderella gown!

This was the best hand-me-down ever from our incredible friend Kathy and her daughter Addison. Bereket wore it so proudly to AWANA.

Bereket enjoying music time at AWANA.

When Bereket got home from the AWANA party, she proclaimed, "Dee-Dah! I'm Pretty!"

The next night was the big night, Halloween.  After enjoying a day of treats and fun at Jenna's, I helped Bereket into her gown and took her to KTTC for the employee Halloween party.  Bereket was overwhelmed with all the new faces and costumes, but she was adorable! She enjoyed trick or treating at the desks of my awesome co-workers.

And Tom Overlie was dazzled by Bereket's light-up glass slippers. Such a handsome prince, I am sure he will be stopping by our door at any moment to see if those glass slippers fit just right!

And a cute picture of Bereket checking out the view from Mommy's desk.

When we got home from all the KTTC fun, Bereket was barely through the front door when she dove into her sugary loot!

And just when she thought the night wouldn't get any better, she met up with her special neighborhood friends for some outdoor trick or treating fun.

I think we all agree Halloween was fun and magical! And we can't wait until next year!