{Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real}

~Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life, every Thursday at Like Mother, Like Daughter~
It's been a while since I've joined in for phfr so I'm playing catch up and posting older pictures taken on Halloween.  The last one,  however, was taken today. 
{Pretty}

I found these leaves when I was looking for leaves for doing leaf rubbing with the kids.  In my search I noticed two things that I hadn't noticed before: 1) the variety of maple trees in our neighborhood, 2) how different the maple leaves are for each kind in shape and color and 2) the maple trees are the last to loose their leaves.  We never did do the leaf rubbings but I was excited at my discovery. 

{Happy}

Look at how warm and sunny it looks.  Nice to remember on these dreary rainy December days.  It seemed like we had a lot of leaves to rake this year and these were only the beginning.  We got them all before the last for for city pick up though.
{Funny}

This was Clare and Ephrem's first time trick-or-treating.  They started out not really liking the idea of walking up to peoples' houses and knocking on the door but by the end they loving every minute of it.  We were out for over an hour.  It was really fun.  It always feels like noone really knows anyone else that well around here but on trick-or-treat night it always feels more like community.

I took this picture today.  They said they were going to Santa's house which to them means a house a few blocks away that the locals know as "The Santa House."  The owners have lots and lots of lit up yard santa's and three window displays of the kind you used to see in department stores, a manger scene, electric trains going around a track among other things.  It is very bright and cheery and kids love it.

{Real}

Christmas todo list:

Plan menu, buy groceries, buy a few more presents, desperately need to buy a new table cloth, make cookies,take picture for Christmas cards, have cards made, send out cards.  I always like to send out Christmas cards but I didn't last year.  It is stressful to think about but fun once you get started.  I know I don't have that much time left but maybe if I get started tomrrow...