Showing posts with label Halloween. Show all posts

I don't think Matt and I have ever carved a pumpkin in our married life. We definitely weren't going to this year as Henlie is still pretty young and we're moving in a few days. However, Andrés messaged me a picture of pumpkins one day and asked if I could do them. I was confused, and then he sent another picture of a jack-o-lantern. Finally understanding, I consented. I mean, if the Peruvian wanted to carve pumpkins, I guess we could carve pumpkins :)

We were initially going to carve them on Thursday, the 29th, but Andrés and Licet got to our house late, and then we went to Plaza Vea, which was a little further away, and then Andrés had to pay for his internet router, and since we were at Plaza Vea and I also needed other groceries, I didn't know where things were so it took longer. Then, Andrés' card didn't read, so that took forever before Matt paid with cash. During this waiting, Henlie fell asleep. Needless to say, we didn't carve pumpkins. Although we maybe could have because Henlie woke up as we got home and then she was super sad and angry and didn't go right back to sleep. She ended up finally coming out with us for a bit during dinner.


We had invited Andrés and Licet to our ward Halloween party on Friday, the 30th. We talked about doing pumpkins before that instead. However, Andrés messaged me at 3pm (when they were supposed to come over) saying he had some work, so he wasn't going to make it before the party. No pumpkins.


Finally on Halloween, we carved pumpkins. Andrés and Licet picked up some dinner at Don Belisario since I hadn't had that before. However, they were much later than anticipated, so we finally started on our pumpkin. They made it while Matt was finishing the face. 


Henlie wanted triangle eyes. Neither Matt nor I is very crafty, especially when carving a pumpkin, so this worked out. She and I designed the face and Daddy cut it out. It had been a long time since I'd carved a pumpkin. I forgot (or maybe never knew?) just how much work cleaning it out could be! We had to take turns :)


Then, we had dinner. The chicken was nothing unusual, but the sides truly were better at Don Belisario. The cheesy potatoes and sweet potato fries were super yummy.

After dinner, it was Andrés' turn to carve his pumpkin. I'm kind of sad I was nursing Andrew and didn't get to video the beginning. He'd never done it before, so when he cut his lid and pulled it open, he was shocked haha. Then he began the long, hard work of cleaning it out. THEN he had to sift through the internet to find a carving he liked. I was impressed with his drawing skills, though. He free-handed a template by looking at a picture online, and it was really good. Then he transferred the concept onto the pumpkin and began the process of carving. He took much pride in his pumpkin. After carving it, he polished up the edges and wiped off any little stray pumpkin pieces. It turned out pretty well.


Then we had to light them. I think he had to use four tealights because a) the candles were tiny and b) his pumpkin was large. (We only used one in Henlie's pumpkin :))


While Andrés finished his pumpkin, I let Henlie watch the Curious George Halloween special movie on Netflix. She ended up staying up a little too late, but she did eventually go to sleep after Matt, Andrés, and Licet left. Matt had to make an airport run due to the campaign, so it was me and the kids again.


As a side note, we had no trick-or-treaters, which was good because I had no candy :) I wasn't sure if it would be a thing within the building or not. Turns out not.

Our ward had a Halloween party/culture night on Friday, October 30th. Apparently this combination happened accidentally a year or two ago, and now it's a thing.

We actually got there right on time, which was impressive because we live in San Isidro, and also, the traffic on Javier Prado was especially bad. However, on time in Peru = very early lol We wandered around and watched people set up. The Adams girls also brought their cuys (guinea pigs), so we got to see them and Henlie got to pet one.





The party got started around 7pm with a little trick-or-treating at various classrooms in the church. It was nicer than previous trunk-or-treats because that limits it to people with cars...and people who can afford/find candy. Apparently the ward also had some budget for candy, which helped offset costs.



After trick-or-treating, it was a lot of sitting around waiting for everyone to finish....and then waiting for the culture night part of the party to start. I talked Andrés into coming in, and then I felt bad because it still took forever to start. And while there were some samplers of food, we didn't stay and get any because we had sleepy babies.


Culture night had some cool stuff, though. I mean, those who just talked about the various countries weren't exciting since I don't understand Spanish, but Peru and Colombia had some dances. A couple people sang songs. I guess the idea was to get a representation of the different countries represented in our ward. Don't be confused, it wasn't related to Halloween, just a general culture overview :)


Since we left early and were hungry, we stopped at the McDonald's drive-through on our way home. Henlie got the cutest Happy Meal box with the cutest, tiniest fry holder you ever did see. They had two available toys, and they let her pick, car or guitar. She picked the car. Matt was proud because technically the car was the "boy" toy. (The guitar was pink and played the Barbie theme.)



I got chicken nuggets. Not nearly as yummy as my last McD's experience, but what do you expect from nuggets, I guess. I did get an Oreo McFlurry, and that was rather tasty :) After dinner and a piece of Halloween candy, it was time for bed.

October 8th was a holiday in Peru, memorializing the Battle of Angamos, so kids were out of school and people were off of work. The government even kindly gave people Friday off (since the 8th was a Thursday). Our friends the Engles were having a Halloween cookie decorating party, so we went to that. With the campaign for Matt's work looming and preparations for our return to the States, Matt still had to work, but he opted for a half day and came to play too.

We had a lot of fun hanging out with friends. Henlie had fun playing with their toys. Henlie kindly shared her cookies with Matt and me, so it worked out. Overall, a successful party :)