The final choices have been made.

Yes, it is not even October yet, but we start talking about ideas for Halloween costumes about mid-summer.  Usually, the requests change several times before I can even get working on them, but I think we have our winners for this year!  Let me first explain that I don't really know how to sew.  I don't  know how to read a pattern that even calls itself  "Simplicity" to make me feel more stupid . I would love to be a great seamstress, but for now, I settle with a little sewing and a lot of hot glue sticks!
I get stressed out over it every year, but I love making my kids' costumes and seeing their excitement as they come to form.  I don't remember ever having a store-bought costume growing up.  Even if it was stuff from my own closet with a few added accessories, the creativity was the fun part.  So let the creativity begin!

Leo's choice this year is Green Lantern.  I think the final decision making point came when he asked if he would get his own light-up ring and I said yes.

Evan, as you may have guessed, decided to be Flash because he can run sooooo fast!  Although I would like to follow his blue-print, I think the final product will be an amped up version of this 2005 rendering I did for Jack's first Halloween.

Jack has started planning for about the next five Halloweens, but for this year he came out of the blue with Master Chief from Halo.  I feel a little guilty, like I am cheating.  I actually made a Master Chief costume for Leo two years ago.  It conveniently fits Jack now.  After a little touching up, it should be great. 

And Ollie... we talked about being Plex, or a Minion from Despicable me... some of his favorites...
He finally decided on Wolverine and is sticking to it. 

Of course when I make them, they always end up being versions that are much more kid friendly.  And usually padded and warm.... I hated wearing my coat over my costume.  Come on!!
So soon, I will be hitting thrift stores and craft stores to find just the right things to dye, cut, sew, glue, paint and ultimately bring smiles to my favorite little faces.
Wish me luck.

The Truth

The truth is that it has been a little over two years since I last posted on this blog. The truth is that a lot of things have happened (even some documented!), over those two years. The truth is that there is no way that I could possibly update this blog with all said events (especially at the rate I have been blogging!). The truth is - I am flawed. Yep, totally imperfect, and I am trying to let myself realize that just being me is okay. In an attempt at moving forward, I had this great idea to follow the progress of our annual Halloween costume creating. I am hoping that this will do two things for me:

1. Get me to blog again; and

2. Get me to make my kids' costumes in a timely manner instead of staying up all night on the 30th and burning at least four of my fingers with hot glue.

So to get started, I wanted to share the first rough draft of one of the costumes I will be making this year.

My 6-year-old kindly brought me this sketch tonight as a gentle urge to get working on it.

I only hope I can do it justice.