If you’re anything like us, you’re probably getting geared up for Halloween.
Like everyone else, things for us have been a little crazy this fall. With our book and a few projects we have going on, along with trying to keep up with life itself this time of year…Halloween kind of snuck up on us. (First world problems.)
I love coordinating the kids while I can. Some day soon, all three will want to go in totally different directions. I’m sure in some DocMcstuffinsCaptainAmericaHarryPottercombo. Am I the only one who thinks that sheets with holes for eyes with a nod to the classic approach of generic ghosts would be absolutely amazing? And what ever happened to the good old days of plastic smocks and masks per Walmart a-la 1983? I was totally the three dollar cookie monster. Am I the only one who misses that stuff?
But first, a little trip down memory lane: Ghosts of Halloweens past…
So this year, after a few coercive attempts in the direction of ‘Jake and The Never Land Pirates’ (I mean, hello. Malone is a dead ringer for Cubby) and a few adamant “no’s” from the seven year old, we went with Ninjas. (Read: a desperate mother’s last ditch effort to coordinate and appease everyone, whilst simultaneously scoring a two for one with an upcoming school book report via ‘Ninjagos’.)
I simply purchased a few uniforms off Amazon and some dye in various colors. Tada! Instacolor-kungfuninjas. I threw in a few scraps of fabric for their headpieces, and some sequins for the princess warrior ninja…
Their powers are unstoppable : Green, pink and blue ninjas… unite.
We actually started with a tutu. It’s a trad in the Mills household (Read: easy go-to) Lately, my super picky (super sensory perception) daughter has been a “dresses and skirts only” kinda gal. But we were in a grey area with miss demanding and a tutu which (to most rational people) is a skirt. There was the question of cold weather here in the tropics and therefore the requirement of leggings. Leggings are clearly outlined in her contract as a definite ‘no’. So I dyed some pants like the boys, as a back up…even though I repeatedly asked if she would in fact, don said requested tutu skirt, and her response was “Duh”.
When I put it on her, her face looked like this.
I was that mom. Trying to nab a few shots of the kids before we met their Dad, I was all, hissing at her through clinched teeth after spending two hours on said tutu. (Yes, it was special and glittery. It took me that long, because I like to overachieve at slacking. No it’s not all about me. But sometimes, when I spend two hours on a darn tutu, it is. Oh the drama.) When I realized I can’t win for losing, and you have to choose your battles, babies, bathwaters, and all those other various whatnots I constantly find myself referring to as I refrain from raising my voice which results in a cramp in my jaw… I gave up (after two minutes of wailing photo ops) and we switched to this:
Peace. Love. Pants. This is the face of content victory. But she’d requested the tutu. Do you see my constant dilemma? Is this the dangerous combo of a girl/middle child labeled nightmare? Digression.
I liked the pants better, anyway.
The world is a safer place with these heros and their mad skillz. I have a feeling these will be the new pajama around our house for a while… paired with a few broken lamps.
Slacker moms unite. I guess it beats the ghost idea… maybe.
Our church had a trunk or treat this year, and we loved seeing how creative everyone was with their getups…
It was a great time with friends. In a photo op with seven kiddos this is as good as it gets.
Oh, and here’s our zombie pumpkin. We picked him up and he had a huge gash in his (future) face. So we worked it in to our “design.” Here’s to last minute pouty zombie pumpkins that will make our neighbors wonder what’s wrong with us… and halloween costumes.
What are some of your costumes this year? Ever pulled off some last minute awesomeness that your kids loved? Sometimes it’s the imperfect memories that make the best ones. Hurray for Halloween! What are you guys going as this year?
Jenna at Homeslice says
They look awesome. Sorry about the tutu fiasco, ha! Sometimes it really is better just to give in 🙂
ashley @ the handmade home says
Absolutely!
Amy says
Oh my goodness you have the cutest kids and I love your halloween ideas! Mario is classic! I can’t wait to download your book this weekend, when I have time to sit down and digest it, it looks aaamazing.
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thank you so very much Amy! That means so much! And they certainly had a lot of fun!
Stacy Preacher says
Love the ninjas! That was super creative – AND they look comfy to boot. Win win/ in my book!
My oldest (13yo) girl is staying with me to hand out candy this year, but she’ll be dressed as a Minion from Despicible Me. My youngest is Capt America (totally the Wal Mart outfit) and my 10 yo girl was having issues, so we found some wings and a pink shirt, and a bow and arrows that we’ll add hearts to…she’ll be “cupid”. Happy Halloween!
ashley @ the handmade home says
That all sounds totally adorable. LOVE it. So fun! Sometimes I enjoy staying in and handing out more than walking around! ;}
Kat says
We went Jake this year. Jake and two Izzys. Easy costume with leggings and pink tshirts. And I used the blue ghost (yes, we did the old fashioned ghost last year) to cut a vest. Then yellow duct tape for Jake’s embellishments.
The little one is a lion. He has to be. They were all a lion at this age. So it’s tradition. And he doesn’t care anyway. 🙂
Happy Halloween!
ashley @ the handmade home says
You are my hero with the old fashioned ghosts. That’s amazing! ;}
Emma Huffs says
lOVE this. super precious.
Tennille says
Saw these and I thought of you…http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=22214118c&parentid=A_FURN_BATH Thought they might come in handy with your little ninjas
Dena says
I just have to tell you that I was looking for ideas for costumes for my triplets when I came across your page. This article spoke to me especially about your fight for the 2 minutes of photo time over a tutu. I have a 10 year old son but my triplets just turned 5 this week and they are boy-girl-boy and she is very much the one and only drama queen of the house! I have that struggle frequently and just wanted you to know that you rock- your kids look so happy (and even if she didn’t say it she is thankful you thought of making sure those pants were an option!)
ashley @ the handmade home says
BLESS YOU. stay strong, mama! That’s amazing that you do what you do!