The kids are both old enough now to appreciate holiday traditions. They remember doing some of these things in years past and look forward to doing them again. As you can see, pumpkin carving was a big hit with them.

Sam and Claire cleaned out the pumpkins as best they could and directed the cutting of the designs. I, of course, was in charge of sharp implements. Sam chose an elaborate spider design. Claire was happy with a goofy face.

Our jack-o-lanterns garnered compliments from the neighbors!

Of course, trick-or-treating was the most exciting part of the holiday. Their dad and uncle took them around the neighborhood and they came back with an unbelievable amount of candy. I guess our neighbors were suckered by how cute these two kids are (I know I would have been!)

More holiday photos can be seen here.

I had hoped to finish my orange jacket in time for trick-or-treating. I had imagined attaching some black felt cutouts (only temporarily) to make it look like a jack-o-lantern, but I just plain ran out of time. I did finish it the next day and am very happy with it.

I think I managed to save it from looking too “clownish.” Cutting down the sleeves helped a lot. It’s not something I can wear all the time, since that neck is deep and wide. It looks best when I wear a turtleneck or crew neck top underneath it. Also, the wide neckline allows the cold in. My next jacket is going to be less “stylish” and more practical. Even though I disparaged the material a lot in the past, I’m eager to sew with fleece again. It’s easy to handle and makes perfect outerwear for the damp weather we have around here.

More details on the McCall’s jacket can be found in my pattern review.

(Don’t you just love alliteration?)

Both of my kids are nail biters. I don’t understand why, since it’s never been something I’ve done, except when too far from a good pair of nail clippers. I’ve been trying to wean them from the nail biting, particularly Claire, since it’s impossible to understand what she’s saying when she has a mouth full of fingers.

Our pharmacist recommended Thum, which you’re supposed to apply twice a day like you would nail polish. Easy enough, right?

Well, we’ve kept at it, despite evidence that it hasn’t deterred Claire much at all. Perhaps she has a taste for cayenne pepper, which is one of the ingredients.

Last night, the idiocy of this course of treatment was driven home to us. We applied the nail treatment and then told Claire it was time to go to bed. She burst into tears and started rubbing at her eyes.

Did I mention there’s cayenne pepper extract in this nail liquid? Well, you can guess what happened. Red, burning eyes and lots more tears for a good long while.

I don’t know that I can continue to subject my children to that. Surely, there’s a better way. If you have any suggestions, please let me know!

In sewing news…

I almost finished a second pair of pants. This time, I decided to try a pattern for five-pocket jeans from Ottobre. Since I got away with making no alterations to the Jalie jeans, I thought I could do the same with the Ottobre jeans. Ha! Hubris, indeed. I learned a humbling lesson: I have fat thighs. I need to alter pants patterns to give me a little more room there–it probably would be a good thing with the Jalie jeans too. The thing is, I’m so used to pants fitting snugly there that I didn’t realize it was an “issue” until I started reading one too many fitting books.

The snug thigh area didn’t seal the fate of these pants, though. Ultimately, it was the “mom jean” styling. They don’t have front pleats, but on me at least, the waist did not sit an inch BELOW the natural waistline…no…it was more like an inch ABOVE it (nine inch zipper required, lol)…and they had far too much ease. Even though I’m a mom, I don’t want to look like this:

I always chalked up the dowdy appearance of some of the Ottobre outfits to bad styling in the photoshoots. I LOVE so many of the details on Ottobre clothing that I was willing to overlook pictures that suggested they would look just as dowdy on me. Boy, was I deluded.

I’ve come up with a new strategy for the future. I’m going to find a pattern for pants that is cut in a more flattering fashion and I’m going to apply the Ottobre details I love so much. These Ottobre pockets are just too wonderful not to use on something…someday.

Robert & I haven’t made many videos of the kids, but this is a short clip of Claire & her favorite toy, which always makes us smile.