We haven't done a Halloween family theme costume thing for a while and the kids decided this was the year. We decided to go with Toy Story and had a lot of fun putting together the costumes.
Lu was our cute little Bo Peep. The dress was mine from Dave and Maria's wedding 28 years ago. We had to do a few elastic touch-ups, but otherwise it was great. George made the crook from pvc pipe and some spray paint. Austin thought this was the coolest ever and was thrilled to help him "blacksmith". Grandma Cindy made the corset while I was gone to Seattle. Way better than anything I could do. She said Lucy sat right by her the whole time. Lucy sewed the bloomers herself. I decided this was a good time for a sewing lesson. They turned out good, but a little snug. However, I think that was my fault with the pattern reading.
Cole was our Rex. This costume has been worn a ton the last three years.... for Halloween and for playtime. And they all love it.
Clara Boo was our Weezy. Melt my heart. I had the leggings and onesie. Just made the little feet and ordered the hat on etsy.
Check out Jessie! Elise always starts all gung-ho to work on a project. She helped make the blue tut-tu... some cutting and all of the tying. She brought all the materials with us on a van ride and knocked the whole thing out. She also was a big help in making the yarn braid. She is an independent girl and DID NOT want help from Lucy and Austin for this project. The yarn braid was pretty fun to make and brought us back to rapunzel braid making. Fun! My mom made the skirt and I made the yellow felt arm and chest things (not my best... should have sewed instead of glue-gunned.) Yee-haw!
And here's Woody! He told people he was going to be someone new every day. Glad he let us throw the Woody Costume on him at the end. ;) His costume was was mostly gathered up. I made the vest and sorta made my own pattern. Yike-sy. But whatever... it's a costume.
To Infinity and Beyond! Austin was a great Buzz Lightyear. All his stuff is purchased and he was so thrilled with it all. He's a real fun kid to buy things for. He is so grateful and happy. The highlight was a light-up helmut... fun!
After our witch breakfast, we hooked back up with dad for Morgan's Trick or Treat Commercial Street. It was perfect weather. The local businesses hand out all sorts of goodies... soda, slurpees, "medicine" pens, big candy bars, pulled pork sandwiches, hot dogs, etc. Lots of fun!
When we got home, I took the kids to trick-or-treat the cul-de-sac. I wish I would have videoed Erik. He would jump up each step and recite Woody lines to himself. With additional commentary. like "I go trick or treat. And I get candy. And I eat it." I laughed and laughed. George joined in with a bunch of neighborhood friends and took the oldest 3 trick or treating on a hay wagon. They loved it. Cole and Erik thought it was great fun to hand out candy with me. After about an hour, George and I switched places. Lots and lots of fun and a sugar high for all. ;) Happy Halloween!
With October comes the end of my mooching off my mom's garden. I ate a tomato, basil, mozzerela sandwich every day if I possible. Those garden tomatoes can't be beat. This was also my first time to make dill pickle relish and I must say, it turned out pretty good. Thanks mom.
I volunteer once a month with Austin and Elise's classes. I like seeing the kids at school and talking to the teacher a bit. I also enjoy the hall artwork. :) Lucy's teacher doesn't do as much "parent help" so I try to help at class parties when they have them. Sad day for me when that kid goes to middle school. *sniff*
These pics were ones my mom sent while she tended when we were in Seattle. They crack me up on so many levels. They had an Indian party, just like grandma Marjie used to do. Apparently, Erik wanted his Indian name to be "Good Bad Fox" since he couldn't decide what whether he was good or bad. They made caramel apples with Kim's tiny apples and I guess one of the kids ate 20 by themselves. whoa. Thanks for the fun, mom!
It was my 20 year high school reunion the first weekend in October. It was a lot of fun to see people. Some of them I hadn't seen since high school. Kari and I helped with the invitation, drinks, and treats for the party. It turned out great and brought back some fun memories. I laughed a lot as we rode the float in the parade and watched the pep assembly. Good times!
If the teacher is okay with it, I do a slime-making party for Halloween in each of the kids classes. For Austin and Elise, I came in the week before Halloween. Their personalities always shine through. Elise is ultra-helpful. She raises her hand continually and wants to be at my side, adding her opinions, passing things out, etc. Austin hangs back. He gives me a big grin, but other than that, you wouldn't know we are related. This time, I brought one of George's old white shirts and put it on as part of my science lab coat. The kids thought it was great. Austin sits at the front of the class, so I heard him say under his breath, "That is SO cool! I would LOVE one of those." ha! For Lucy's class, we just made the slime as part of the 5th grade Halloween party. If I had to rank the behavior from easiest to hardest... 2nd, 1st, 5th.
By October, the plants in the yard started to fill in and look good, especially the ones in the rock cracks.
