Happy Halloween, friends. You know I’m a bit of a “Scrooge” when it comes to this annual event; aside from the free candy, I didn’t much enjoy Halloween as a child, and I tend to like it even less as an adult.
But, I happen to have children who very much enjoy this particular evening of the year, so I try to make the most of it and enjoy the perks (namely, that I get to raid their treat bags for Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Twizzlers).
Today, I thought it would be fun to look back at costumes from OVER A DECADE OF PARENTING (that statement makes me feel…old).
2011 – BUTTERFLY
Look at those tiny fingers – she wasn’t even close to walking yet!
2012 – FROG
The Robeez give me all the feels in this picture.
2013 – TOPO GIGIO
This Topo Gigio stuffed toy holds very special memories for John! A went through a phase of being OBSESSSED, so it made sense to convert that into a fairly easy costume. You can’t see them in this picture, but her shoes were covered in bright orange fluffy socks. One of my favourite costume designs ever.
2014 – SKIPPED!
This was about to happen…and I was a bit preoccupied.
2015 – DOCTOR + PATIENT
Skeleton PJs are the most brilliant combo item ever – costume by day, glow-in-the-dark jammies by night.
2016 – DARTH VADER + (A Very Happy) GIRAFFE
2017 – THE PRINCESS + THE FROG
I had full intentions of skipping this year, too. We had just moved into our house and everything was going wrong. We decided we’d participate about 10 minutes before leaving the house and simply grabbed items – including L’s rain coat which conveniently was designed to look like a frog costume – in some frantic last-minute inspiration.
2018 – TIGER + DINOSAUR*
*We sewed buttons and ribbons on to the ears to make “earrings” since it was a “girl” dinosaur.
2019 – CHEF + LION
The flour on the cheeks kills me…also, she carried around a bowl and a whisk the whole night!
2019 was also a particularly great year for our pumpkin game – we (and by we, I mean John) drilled holes + used a small star cookie cutter. Isn’t it beautiful?!
2020 – PRAIRIE GIRL + OBI WAN KENOBI
Bonus points to L for having LED shoes…
2021 – SUPERMAN + A BOX OF KRAFT DINNER
Perhaps the best homemade costume we’ve come up with yet – A went as a box of her beloved Kraft Dinner (Mac n’ Cheese).
Another good pumpkin effort; no carving, just stacking. A is going to use that pipe for her Sherlock costume this year!
2022 – RACECAR DRIVER + HERMOINE GRANGER
Happy Halloween, friends.
Your turn. What are your costume plans this year? Most memorable costume from your childhood/parenting? If you haven’t weighed in already, what’s your favourite Halloween treat?
Kyria @ Travel Spot
Happy Halloween! The costumes are great and I especially like the one of A as a frog, with the little stuffed toy in one hand and the candy in the other and those cutsie little shoes!
My Mom used to make all of our costumes and I don’t really remember most of them, but luckily there are photos! I particularly like my fairy princess complete with tutu and wand! However, my favorite costume of all was a Pan Am flight attendant; my boyfriend at the time’s Mom had worked for them and she still had her old uniform from the 60s and it fit me!! It was so fun, especially since they are such a sign of those times back then!
Elisabeth
The shoes were so tiny! How were their hands and feet every that small? Babies don’t stay babies, do they!
That Pan Am costume sounds so cool. I have a book on my To-Read list all about Pan Am flight attendants.
sarah
How did it go so FAST?? Ahhh, Robeez– such an image for a whole STAGE of life. Mac and cheese is my fave, but I really love doctor and patient– so adorable.
Elisabeth
Robeez were an era…
Jan Coates
And I bet you’re so organized that you have a folder for “Halloween pics” – right? They’re all very cute, but the KD and the year you put together costumes 10 minutes before they were out the door are my faves:) See you soon! Very interesting to read your guest appearance on Laura V’s blog – now I have some idea of what it is you guys do!
Elisabeth
Thanks, Jan. Looking forward to reconnecting soon.
Nicole MacPherson
Great costumes! I love the KD one most of all!
Elisabeth
As a Canadian, I think KD would be the only correct answer to that question! It was an especially great one.
Jenny
Awww… these are great! I think my favorite year is “doctor/patient.” We’ve had some fun costumes- one year my son was Luke Skywalker and my husband dressed as Darth Vader, and they trick-or-treated together (I’m guessing my daughter was really little so I stayed home that year.). My son used to match with his friends- one year there was Mario and Luigi, another year Minecraft characters, another year ninjas… this year my daughter and two friends are going as pokemon characters. They are all wearing onesies and are going to look hilarious and ridiculous.
Oh, your pumpkins are awesome! For someone who doesn’t like Halloween, you did some nice carving!
I hope you have a fun day.
Elisabeth
L would LOVE the Pokemon outfits.
The pumpkin carving is 100% John. Without him, we wouldn’t do it. And this year…we haven’t, even with him home!
Michelle G.
Oh my goodness, I love every one of those costumes! They’re so cute! I love seeing kids in their costumes on Halloween!
ccr in MA
Oh, little kids in costumes, is there anything cuter? I don’t know what I wore when I was little (the only thing coming to mind is the year I had to wear my winter coat over my ballerina outfit, I was so upset), but this year one of my friends has a new grandson and she knit him a crayon outfit! It’s so cute.
Elisabeth
Crayons are a brilliant costume; my SIL did this once with the whole family and it was adorable since it’s a great group costume idea!
J
I love all of these. My daughter went to work today dressed as Drew Barrymore from the beginning of Scream.
Regarding your more recent post, I’m sending strength your way. Hang in there! <3
Elisabeth
Fun! And thanks!
San
I am not a big Halloween fan (and didn’t grow up with it – it didn’t become a thing in Germany until I was grown up, but we did celebrate carnival every year with costumes), but little kids in big costumes are the CUTEST.
I haven’t dressed up in years and I was glad I could skip the Halloween event at work yesterday.
Elisabeth
Agreed – little kids are the cutest. Though the adults who dressed up as boxed Barbie and Ken were definitely my favourite outfit this year. It was SPOT ON.
Lisa’s Yarns
Awww I love all the flashback photo of your kids through the years! I don’t love Halloween but I like it more now that I have kids. My favorite costume was the warm hedgehog costume my boys both wore when they were infants!!
Tobia | craftaliciousme
I am late to this post but just happened to stumble in. I love the last minute costume. Its interesting to see that your kids are choosing costume a bit off the between past. Chef? Prairie Girl? Frog? Love it.