Friday, October 30, 2009

This is Halloween

So Halloween in Ohio is a little bit screwy. We don't trick or treat on Halloween, we trick or treat on Beggars Night...(which is always a week night and rarely on Halloween.) I remember my first Halloween here complaining about it to someone because I just don't get it. I didn't have children at the time, but she said she felt sorry for my future kids. As though wanting to trick or treat on Halloween would make me a bad mom.

We went trick or treating Thursday night.

This was not my best year for costumes. Moving in September really threw me for a loop. I didn't even start putting together my own costume until the morning of the ward Halloween party...and I came up with Spencer's only moments before the party.

I of course couldn't put the boys costumes off that long. We made a trip to the thrift store and fabric store a few weeks ago. We went in with certain costumes in mind, but while at the thrift store they were otherwise inspired. I tried to talk them back into their original and much cooler costume ideas, but it wasn't happening.

Parker - Ben Ten. This was the lamest costume of all. (Though he looked cute anyway.) Ben Tennison is a 10 year old boy who changes into 10 different creatures to fight off evil doers. But basically, Parker dressed like a kid for Halloween.

Parker fount this green jacket at the thrift store. It was three sizes too big and I cut it down and added a '10.'
I made him a Ben Ten watch out of felt, too. It's not pictured.

Reid - A Baseball Player. With about every other little boy on the block. How un-original can we be? He loved it and I think the accessories will be well used around here.



Gray - A Golfer. I've been wanting a golfer since Parker was little and could never talk a kid into it. But Gray didn't seem to have an opinion and since we weren't doing a theme with his brothers anymore, I went for it. He got the most reaction. It was pretty cute.


I made the pants and the hat I did without a pattern. Impressed? I am. He wore the sweater vest for the Halloween party, but I put a sweater on him to trick or treat. It was a little chilly.

Spencer - A Frenchman. Though it wasn't much, it was hilarious. Between an cheesy mustache and a cheesy accent, Spencer had us all laughing. Spencer speaks french and could really pull this off. However, I've already surpassed my weekly quota of Spencer pictures on my blog. After much deliberation, he agreed to a small one in a collage. Sorry to disappoint.

Me - Miss Viola Swamp. I chose this costume knowing full well no one would know who I was (except Amanda which made my day). But of the 4 or 5 costumes I put together that morning, this was everyone's favorite. Miss Nelson is Missing is my kids current favorite book and they really loved the costume. So I did it for them. Everyone else just assumed I was a witch.


My dress? United Colors of Benetton. A $4 thrift store find last summer.

The best part about the costumes is that I spent under $15 for the entire family combined. Can't get better than that.

And because I accidentally left this cute one out of the collage:

19 comments:

Kim said...

Great costumes! I wish I could get Emma to pose for pics like your boys will. I love your Miss Nelson is missing costume, great idea.

Eric said...

How fun! You still are amazing with costumes even if you think they are original. Happy Halloween!!!

P.S. I really miss you, especially during halloween. I wish we lived closer and could throw a big costume party together.

Kelly said...

I've never heard of not trick-or-treating on Halloween, and I've never heard of Beggars Night either... wierd. I wouldn't like it either. But I love the costumes, original or not, they look great! And so did you! Good job!

Genn said...

I have never heard of not trick or treating on Halloween night either. I bet the boys had fun just the same. I wouldn't like that either though, it would just feel weird. The costumes all looked great!! I am so impressed that you only spent $15 for the whole family! I could never do that.

Lauri said...

I dare you to wear your make up like that to church on Sunday.

The costumes are darling. Way to go!

Kris said...

Very cute, and very clever!!! Loved all of them!!!!

Traci Elizabeth said...

What the crap?!? Beggars night? I would still go knocking on peoples doors on halloween just on principle.

I am kind of glad you didn't go all out "katie style" on costumes. I makes me feel better about myself ;) I was major loser mom in regards to halloween this year!!! But, of course, your kids still look adorable! And you look so cute!

Glad you got your golfer this year!

Megan said...

The boys costumes are great, and I love the Frenchman and Mrs. Nelson is missing. I hate when kids are old enough to have an opinion and pick for themselves. I think this was the last year that I'll have any kind of say so.

Amanda B. said...

I think all 5 of your costumes are awesome!!! :) You have a gift! Ours weren't near as cool and we spent more on them. I really don't know why Ohio does Trick or Treat a different night. The have done it for years (maybe something about a huge city wide big Halloween party years and years ago that hasn't happened in ages?) A few years ago, they actually said T or T would always be on Halloween again- and for a couple years it was... (while you were in TX, maybe?) but this year they went back to a different night. I really don't get it personally.... but, oh well... we are used to it because they did it that way so long. I am a life long Ohioan and think it strange...

Anyway....yes, I totally pegged your costume right away... surprised others didnt- it really was obvious to me! :)

jeanine said...

I love all the costumes... especially yours! Love it! (And so glad you included a picture of Spencer!)

Danielle said...

I totally got Viola Swamp-Come on Ms Nelson is Missing,Ms. Nelson Has a Field Day...those are some of my FAVORITES...way to be original. The golfer costume is fabulous, he looks adorable!

Cynthia said...

Beggars night? yeah, weird.
Cute costumes, cute posing, cute make up, and amazing that you can do it on such a budget. Way to go!

Erin said...

If that is a not so good year for you all and costumes I am still very impressed!! You all looked great!

Autumn said...

I LOVED the golfer outfit. And I LOVE the collage-my fav 2 pix are of you and Spencer. I think it would be rad to have the two together in a mini collage of its own-only to be enjoyed in your home of course. :) I'm sorry to say I also thought you were a witch-but had a hunch it was something else--and didn't have guts to ask knowing there was probably more to the story! Duh. A great Viola Swamp.

mj said...

Love it

J, E, S & L said...

LOL! Spencer!!!

River said...

So my son totally loves Miss Nelson Has A Field Day he keeps bringing the same book home from the library. He loves it. So I totally knew that when I saw it. Great Job. Love the costumes.

Tammy said...

Katie. You have far too many friends commenting on your blog! I try to scan the comments to make sure that I don't say exactly the same thing as someone else. It took me a long time to scan this. Anyway. Your kids are adorable! And really so good at the posing thing! Little Gray is so adorable as a golfer. Parker even has Ben Ten's tennis shoes. Perfect.

Kelly said...

I loved all the costumes- and no, I didn't know who you were, but I do now- and I just read a Miss Nelson book to a third grade class a few weeks ago and totally make the connection now!
Love that everything was cheap!! You do amazing work my friend!