Trick or Treat!

Halloween is a bit bizarre here because many other countries do not celebrate or understand the festivities. It is difficult for non-native Halloweeners to understand what the night is all about. For example, our compound said that because the 31st was a school night that we might want to move Halloween to the next Friday (Nov 5th). WHAT!!!??? you don't just MOVE Halloween. Being out on a school night, staying up late, and getting that amazing sugar buzz it what the night is all about. Geez. Good thing someone clued them in (no it wasn't me).

I wasn't sure what was going to happen, but we had our costume ready and we were going out at least to play in the park. 

Here is Miss Ladybug 

Out at the park. She loved wearing her costume

Everyone else loved it too and wanted a go with it on. Here is Ferdinand, one of Neva's friends trying out the ladybug costume. 

 It's on! A few kids showed up in costume and the mum mentioned that people had their doors decorated (which means "candy available"). So we started with the concept of 'Trick or Treat,' or just 'TREAT' in the park.  Once Neva got the idea - we were off. 

Neva was ready with her bag. "Get more stuff mummy, get more stuff." 

People did a great job of decorating. I was very impressed. Neva was racing everywhere until a 10 year old boy answered the door wearing a monster mask. Trick or Treating was over. We still talk about the little boy who scared Neva - she brings it up daily. 

I really went all out on my sign this year. I am pretty proud of this one. :) 

Neva has insisted on putting on her costume for a few days and asking if we were going out for treats and to see the scary boy. 

We hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween.

Ticking along

5.5 weeks left before we leave. I am appreciating every minute we spend with our friends before the sell, pack, and move frenzy takes over.

Here are some pictures that my friend Anne took from the latest toddlers group (Thank you!).

What we do

Here is an idea of what Neva and I do most late afternoons/early evenings now that the weather is slightly less roasting.

We're off

Vroom 

Park #1 

Off again

#2

Lots of water!

Sweaty kid (and mum, there is a reason I am not in any of these pictures)

 

Various Summer Shots

We are all back in Abu Dhabi and excited that fall is in the air - meaning that we have been spending more and more time outside. Lovely. 

Here is the final batch of pictures that were taken over the summer. 

No you can't share my snack.

Hiking in Fernie

Hiking in Kananaskis

Berry picking

Sharing a friend's birthday. First pony ride!

All 3 behaving beautifully on the sideline of an ultimate tournament in Canmore.

YUKON!

This summer, I made a spur of the moment decision to fly North and Visit the Hogan's in Whitehorse. What a great decision! Thanks for the fantastic visit guys :) 

So cute

Working in the vegetable garden

Neva and Owen helping to dig up potatoes 

Ladies go for a ride

I love Alberta

We borrowed my mum and dad's camper for an excursion to the mountains. It still blows my mind that in a 1 hour drive we can be set up in a beautiful area. The camping trip was a success overall, Neva was pretty excited (understatement) the first night so we didn't get much sleep.  We hiked, threw rocks, had fires, and explored the camper again and again.

First day of rock throwing

Throwing rocks at the campsite

Watching dad chop wood

First meal outside

Mum's turn for rock throwing

Beautiful sunset

Our hike up to Rawson Lake