Another Spooky Season Weekend

Another enjoyable spooky season weekend unfolded for us last weekend, filled with good food, family, and plenty of fall fun.

We kicked things off Friday night with a cozy neighborhood gathering around the fire pit. We set out a full s’mores charcuterie board—graham crackers, chocolate bars, peanut butter cups, marshmallows, and all the extras—and pulled our chairs close to the fire as the sun went down. Before long, the yard was buzzing with laughter, kids running around, and adults swapping stories between bites of gooey s’mores. It was one of those perfectly simple nights that just felt right—good people, crisp air, and no rush to be anywhere else. A few neighbors even joked about how long it had been since they’d roasted a marshmallow, which made the evening feel a little nostalgic. Watching everyone gathered together under the glow of the string lights made us think we might have stumbled onto a new annual tradition.

Saturday morning, we kept the festive momentum going with a trip to the North Shore area for the annual giant pumpkin regatta. We’ve passed by the event before, but this was our first year actually stopping to take it in—and I’m so glad we did. Now that we have Madeline, we’re really leaning into all the local community events, knowing she’ll only enjoy them more as she grows. The atmosphere was exactly what you’d hope for on a fall morning: crisp air, the smell of cider and kettle corn, and bright orange pumpkins everywhere you looked. We wandered through the fall market, checked out the petting zoo (which was an absolute hit with Mads—she could’ve watched those goats all day), and met a few costumed pumpkin characters who completely captivated her. We, of course, had to stop for a family photo in front of the giant inflatable pumpkin before catching the highlight of the day—the pumpkin races themselves. Watching people paddle across the water in hollowed-out pumpkins was equal parts impressive and hilarious. I’ve already got my eye on next year’s paddleboard race, and someday, I’d love to see Mads in the youth pumpkin race.

That afternoon, we shifted from pumpkins to princesses for our nieces’ performance of The Little Mermaid Jr. It was such a treat to see them shine on stage. While we were at the play, Madeline had a great time hanging out with her Nana and Papa. She played with the dogs and loved every minute of it—laughing, chasing, and giving them all the attention they could handle. When we got back, she was all smiles, clearly proud of her fun afternoon.

As for the show itself, Skylee completely stole the spotlight as Flounder—she was confident, funny, and so natural up there. You could tell she’s got real talent. And little Anna, playing one of the fish, was just as delightful. She threw herself into every scene with so much energy and enthusiasm, grinning from ear to ear the entire time. After the show, we all grabbed dinner together before Skylee and Anna came back to our house to spend a little time with Madeline. They absolutely adore her—it’s so sweet watching the way they dote on her, playing peekaboo and making her giggle nonstop. Moments like that remind me how lucky we are to have such a close-knit family.

It was one of those weekends that felt full in the best way—packed with activity, but also overflowing with joy. The kind of weekend that makes you grateful for where you live, the people around you, and the little traditions that make this season so special.