It was Saturday morning, and the Leonard family was hard at work.
John and Tommy were outside mowing the lawn and cleaning the deck.
Meanwhile, Addison and Amy were cleaning inside.
The house was filled with wonderful smells from all the things they were cooking.
Everyone was very excited, because this was the day of the costume party.
The guest list was very large, and the kids were so excited to dress up in old western costumes, and to see the costumes all their friends would wear.
Before long, Uncle Jake and Aunt Amanda arrived, along with their children, Madison and little Braxton.
They brought with them extra tables and chairs, and suitcases containing their costumes, which they insisted were a surprise, so they could change there after they set up.
After visiting for a few minutes, it was time to get to work.
John and Jake moved the big furniture,
while Amy and Amanda rolled up the rug and moved the smaller stuff.
Addison and Madison watched the babies,
and Tommy helped out by vacuuming where the furniture had been.
Buddy mostly just got in the way.
But before long, the room was cleared, and it was agreed that they should all go out for pizza.
Amy’s parents arrived soon after lunch.
They would be staying in the guest house, and the kids were put to work helping with their suitcases.
After some final afternoon preparations, it was time for everyone to go get dressed.
All went to their separate rooms to put on their costumes.
The Leonards were ready first, and then waited for what seemed like forever as Jake, Amanda, and Madison took turns changing in the bathroom.
But it was well worth the wait!
After having a good laugh, especially at Madison, they called Amy’s parents to come on over to the main house.
They were all still laughing over Grandpa Robert’s crazy hair and make-up when the guests began to arrive.
Some costumes seemed to defy gravity.
Others were very elaborate.
Slowly the house filled with people dressed in every type of costume imaginable, from swashbuckling pirates to damsels in distress,
to even a gorilla suit!
At least everyone was pretty sure it was just a suit… though he ate nothing but bananas and didn’t say much.
The adults chatted.
The children played outside.
And the big kids played outside, too.
Later in the evening, there was some interesting karaoke,
and everyone danced a strange sort of conga line led by Grandpa Robert.
Only two people fell into the pool that night, and were promptly “rescued” by Buddy.
It was a memorable evening, and as the guests left, many told Amy and John they hoped this costume party would become a tradition.
They didn’t say much, but their smiles told everyone that another party was already in the plans.
