Crossroads Trunk or Treat

Our third stop was GaGa and Grandpa's new church.  This is also where Camden went to preschool and we have been to many events here.  We enjoyed some indoor activities, some yummy chili, and a slice of coconut cream pie (GaGa's specialty) before the trunk or treat got underway.

It was dark and rainy/sleety by that time.  So thankful it was a quick trip around the parking lot. 

It's a shorter event, but she got just as much candy at it!

New Hope Trunk or Treat

Our second stop of the evening was at New Hope Church.  We have attended this event for YEARS.  It's also where Camden went to a few weeks of day camp this summer. 

The llama's are always popular!  And the baby was adorable.

It was so cold (and windy), so the inflatables were inside in their gym.  It was a chaotic scene.

My favorite trunk was Cruella and the dalmatians.  Cruella is our school secretary in disguise.  Camden didn't even recognize her.

Harvest Festvial

What a busy weekend!  Kevin and Camden met Austin at the Ironman (more later) and when they got home, Kevin "tapped out" and turned the late afternoon/evening over to me.  Camden and I started at the Harvest Festival.  This is usually held at the New Market park, but cold weather meant it was at the school gym.  Camden played lots of games, bounced in the bounce house, decorated a pumpkin, made a yummy caramel apple, and had her face painted.

Oh...plus got lots of candy...and a goldfish!

Fall Party

Today is Camden's fall party.  I volunteered to send in a snack.  I gave her a few options of fun, creative items and she started brainstorming.  She wanted eye balls.  Ok!?!  We decided donut holes with some candy eyes and red frosting to make them bloodshot.  A quick google search showed using gummy lifesavers and M&Ms for the pupil.  We had a plan.

I only found donut holes at Kroger and after giving them a try thought they might be too small.  I ran over to Walmart and got the mini donuts.

Much better.  I got up a few minutes early this morning and was able to make about 35 of them pretty quickly.  Hope her teacher doesn't mind a little more Halloween than Fall.

Evening Events

On Friday evening, two local events were happening that I wanted to take Camden to experience.  The first was held at the Lincoln Home National Historic Site.  There are two blocks of historic homes around Lincoln's House that have been maintained and established as a site.  There were individuals in period costumes at each of the houses giving out candy. 

I knew the was happening, so we packed Camden's costume.  For those not in the know, this is a Shiny Umbreon.  For those still not in the know, this is a legendary, evolved Eevee.  In simplest terms, it's a cool Pokemon.  Plus it's a great warm costume!

The line was like a cattle call, but we enjoyed the beautiful weather as we walked from house to house.

Well, maybe not all period costumes!

One empty lot had some period games that we stopped to play.

We didn't go to the home during the day since we planned this tonight.  We missed seeing the inside, but we've been in many homes like this so besides it being Lincoln stuff, I'm glad we saw it at this event instead of paying for a tour.

Camden got a nice bag of candy and then we headed to the second event.  It was a Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular held at one of the city parks.  There were over 2,000 carved pumpkins around the Carillon and Botanical Gardens.

The carvings were fun and the displays were neat to look at, but it was TOO crowded.  It was a fund-raising event for the Carillon Society, so going one-time was okay.  But I wouldn't do it again or really recommend it.  Some of our favorites:

It was really dark too, so you couldn't really enjoy the setting, although this small garden pond was pretty.

You can't win them all!  Good memories regardless.

New Salem

The afternoon took us on a small ride out of Springfield to New Salem.  This village is a re-creation of the town from Lincoln's days.  He ran a few general stores, was postmaster, and a favorite resident for about 8 years.

A quick stop at the visitor center then a stroll through the village.  It actually was quite large and there were numerous houses to visit.  Villages were the "mall" of the day for the farmers.  Each house had a family, but the family business was attached or next door. 

This first house was the barrel maker.  His family lived in the house on the right and his workshop is on the left.  He also had a small farm with a horse.

Each house or sometimes a few houses together shared a well.

This house was home to a yarn maker/weaver.

Camden had to use the restroom, so we stopped at the families outhouse.  Too many cobwebs, so Camden just held it until we found a modern restroom.

The doctor was full of tales about medicine at the time...and a few stories about Abe during his years at this village.  The doctor also functioned as the dentist and I suggested he pull Camden's loose tooth.  She didn't like that idea!