I’ve said many times on this blog, “I don’t like Halloween.”
But man, this year was so.much.fun. My kids continue to teach me that there is joy in so many little things. And taking them trick-or-treating this year was a blast. The Mr. and I both thought that this year seemed like the first “real” Halloween we’ve had with them, because they actually made it to quite a few houses and ended up with a decent candy haul. Usually, we do one or two streets, come home, and go to bed, but they were troopers this year. Sure, we had the tears at the scary house, but bless my girl’s heart, she really tried to be brave and go up to those scary houses. She would make it halfway up the driveway and then turn around and say “no, I don’t want to go!” and start crying. Ha ha! Poor thing.
It helps to have an awesome neighborhood where there are kids everywhere and everyone is happy to hand out candy. Someone was even handing beer out to adults – now tell me you don’t wish you lived in our neighborhood?!?
Their costumes were my ideas, and because they are still at an age where they don’t have much of a preference, I received little resistance. Lincoln originally said “I guess I’ll be Ironman this year.” Mind you, that’s what he was last year. Yes, he would have been perfectly happy to do a repeat because he really doesn’t care. So I steered them towards a little bit of a thematic costume – because every year that I can convince them to dress in tandem is a major win for me (you’ve got to take em where you can get).
Their costumes were a mix of things bought and things made; whatever I can do to save time. I was lucky that burgundy was a popular color in stores this fall, which is why I was able to find Graham some adorable sweatpants (Cat & Jack) at Target, and a long sleeve tee at Old Navy. The I made his hat and tail out of matching burgundy felt (using this pattern – just beware, the pattern needs to be resized because it would only fit an infant at the current size) and added some fur to his belly. He was the cutest fox I’ve ever seen (and awfully cool, as well):
Lincoln costume was the easiest because it contained all normal clothes and things he already owned (including the ax). A girlfriend of mine knitted his beard – which I am obsessed with. His big muscles are all his own, though:
Mia’s costume was fairly easy as well; though I did make the tutu and the headband. I was thrilled to find that fur vest at Target (Cat & Jack)! It’s perfect for the costume and for this fall/winter. She was so excited to wear makeup. I copied a picture I found online for it and did my best (though a cosmetologist I am not). At least she did end up looking like a doe in the end… I think. She’s so cute, I don’t even care. And she had completely rubbed off her nose makeup by the time we went trick-or-treating, but at long as I already had pictures taken I could have cared less.
I love these little buggers so much! They make every holiday better than they were before we had kids. And for this Halloween-hater, that’s saying a lot. Their joy is my own.