Boo!!

Can you believe it??  3 posts in 5 days!  And I'm almost caught up to November.  :) 

Anyway, a week before Halloween, we took Penelope and Amelia to Boo at the Zoo.  We had every intention of them wearing their costumes until we realized that they were going to be in their wagon the whole time.  At that point, we knew it just wasn't possible.  Once you see the Halloween pictures further down the post, you'll understand why we left the costumes in the car.  In the end, it worked out for the best.  I didn't have to fight them to keep the hats on and even better, didn't have to carry the costumes around all afternoon. 

Love that the elephant has a mask on

Some great expressions (although I'm not really sure what they're pointing at)

Generously offering up a goldfish to the monkeys  :)

Watching some monkeys playing (which is serious stuff for Penelope)

Amelia thought those monkeys were pretty funny

Up close and personal with the penguins (can you see our reflection??). 
It was fun to watch them swim right up to the glass and see the girl's expressions.  Every other time we've been to the Zoo, the penguin exhibit is too crowded for us to go anywhere near with a double stroller or wagon.  Not today!

The bats...my least favorite exhibit but Penelope thought they were cool

This is (was) Fluffy - the largest snake in captivity.  He died about 2 days later.  Sad that he died, but glad we saw him on this visit as more often than not, we skip this building (b/c in the same place as bats).  And last we heard, the Columbus Zoo is going to be getting a Fluffy descendent soon.

So that's it for this particular trip to the Zoo.  A few days later we celebrated Halloween and let me just say, the girl's costumes were a HIT around our little neighborhood.  Grandma Reinke worked hard putting these "Salt and Pepper Shakers" together and they turned out super cute!!  We didn't get a ton of pictures as we waited too close to 6 to go outside and kids were already coming up to our house.  Plus I was trying to get them to pose in these slightly awkward outfits while they were clearly focused on all the activity behind the camera.  Oh well...there's always next year. 

The best we got with both of their faces AND costumes visible.  I think the hat (lid to the shaker) is my favorite piece of the whole outfit.  And don't ask why we didn't have Penelope in the pepper outfit.  I'm not real sure it even occured to me until after they were dressed and ready to go.  :)

They appear to be focusing on the next house to go to.... 

Back home where it was toasty and warm (and more fun to watch Mommy hand out candy to other kids)

Having their first taste of a chocolate candy bar (Penelope went with a Twix and Amelia got a 3 Musketeers).  Probably wasn't the best decision leaving Penelope in her ALL WHITE outfit to eat her chocolate but no real damage done.  :)

They liked the candy ok, but each only ate about half before handing it back to us.  In the end, I think Paul and I ate most of the chocolate stuff (or our coworkers did) and we kept the Smarties and DumDums for the girls. 

All in all, we had a great Halloween (both at the Zoo and trick or treating). As we walked around our neighborhood, I was surprised at how well both girls kept up.  Both were willing to hold our hands for the majority of the time (YAY for not having to carry either of them at any time!) and towards the end, they were taking the last few steps up to the different houses by themselves and holding out their pumpkins.  Penelope especially was quick to walk up to anyone handing out a treat (note to self - this might require a chat about strangers when she's a little older..).  Now my goal for Halloween 2011 - have "trick or treat" and "thank you" down pat!

So now we're into November....  That means 1st haircuts and 2nd birthdays are coming soon (hopefully by this weekend!).