Hello lovely friends and Happy Monday!
We’re back from a crazy fun week last week… and while we can’t wait to share more on that, we’re ready to hit the ground running today. We flew back into town late Friday night, so I spent all day Saturday throwing some Halloween costumes together in an I-promise-I’m-a-good-mom kinda frenzy. So today we thought we’d interrupt our regularly scheduled program to share a little…
But first, a walk down memory lane with the ghosts of Halloween past. You’re welcome. {Read: Humor me.} You’ve probably seen these before, but Halloween is one of our kids’ fave holidays around here, and documenting it each year makes us feel a little crazy nostalgic watching them grow up in front of the camera.
Since Aiden had siblings, I made it my own personal (nerd) goal to coordinate the offspring every Halloween. Note the natural mama-aint-got-time-for-this-let’s-simplify progression with time. So I started out with this:
This looks complicated, and if I had to do it all over again, the blanket stitching probably wouldn’t happen (let’s just be honest) but their costumes consisted of t-shirts, felt sewn together (which means no hemming), and dyed t-shirts with yarn + tutus. I’ll never forget this Halloween in particular. I was expecting with Malone, and had no idea – so the next Halloween looked like this: Tada! There’s like a whole new person and stuff. I think our family was at chronic level red for exhaustion and I stayed up late at night making these. At the time, it was my sanity outlet.
Duct tape is my best friend. And pantyhose with hangers + puff paint.
And the next, we were total dorks and did this: (Note Malone’s what-have-I-been-born-into face.)
The next year, a little tribute to their newfound Mario Kart obsession: We held onto those plungers for a while in the toy closet. Scary stuff.
Last year, the Mills kiddos did this: (See my progression?) karate uniforms + dye = easy peasy rice and cheesy. Blanket stitching shmanket stitching. Something about motherhood and reality eventually hits, regarding all things costumes and parties.
And yes, Emerson does fuss, in some form or fashion, every year. She’s just now agreeing to jeans, so costumes are a big deal at our house. (Endless amounts of bribery)
And this year: Backpacks scored on Amazon + dyed stuff + painted shirts + strips of fabric = TMNT. Each year I say this, and we rack our brains until he (see: the oldest child) agrees, but I’m afraid this is the last year we’ll be allowed to match and it’s my favorite thing. Ever.
Maybe I’ll make them do it til they’re out of the house, and then we can recreate more awkward family photos with their emotionally damaged personal turmoil that only a certified family therapist can repair since their parents had no regard for boundaries… or a normal person’s take on Halloween.
All I know, is that they don’t have to carry those blasted pumpkins around this year. (Also see: the ones I can never find.) Turtle shell backpacks = major play item later + candy stashed… BOOYAH.
Thanks for humoring us, y’all. We have such a blast every year. I know we can totally just go to the store and buy something like normal people. It’s tradition. One of our favorite things!
PSSST… Just wanted to share this one more time while they’re still relevant – Don’t forget about our free Halloween printables… here!
Do you guys dress up? What are you doing this year? Are you total Halloween dorks like us?
Alexis says
This is hysterically awesome
Layla says
I love this! I am a total slacker mom When it comes to wvery thing else but i love handmade costumes. It’s perfect!
janet says
This is perfect! I love this little walk down memory lane too. It’s adorable and you are hilarious.
Annie says
We try to coordinate every year and fail miserably. What’s your secret! I love the handmade look for costumes. These last two look pretty manageable – thank you for the Halloween inspiration. I love the family angle of your blog!
laura says
oh my I love the plungers for Mario cart! hilarious! All the years are so cute. The little bee baby, so sweet! Oh and love the printables! I need to reinvent my hoods BOO sign. Yours is soooo much cuter with the cross bones and scull!
Laura
House Envy