I'm glad it's over

I have mixed feelings about Halloween. I remember being excited about the prospect of filling my whole pillowcase with candy (never happened) and about dressing up in a borrowed poodle skirt. So as a mom, I can appreciate my children's excitement. But also as a mom, I do not get excited about stressing and searching for novel and acceptable-to-my-children costumes. Nor do I get excited about the candy my children* (and I) will be eating all day long for at least 2 weeks.

This year, my kids started talking about costumes around Easter. I told them not to worry about it.  We'd figure something out - much later. It was much too early to think about such things. But even a week before Halloween, I gave them the same, we'll figure something out.

Finally, on Saturday the 29th, the day of our church party, I consulted each child and made a list of must-haves. I headed off to about 8 stores to pick up some odds and ends: suspenders, axes, mustaches (that didn't stick, argh!) tights, IN N OUT hat, red napkins to make an apron, $2 Newsies cap, etc. I was not frantic, just on a mission.  And you know what? I even had time to come home and sew a quick cape for George out of fabric I already had. It was the least I have ever worried about Halloween and I'm pretty happy with the way I pulled it together.

Hank was a monkey, wearing Owen's old costume.

Halloween Hugs.

Super George would not wear a mask, but he had no problem with the tights. (This idea loosely borrowed from my sister.)

 Vampire.

 Football player.

  Newsie.

  IN N OUT waitress.

  You can bet this cape will make repeat appearances.

The whole gang.

Mark and I were lumberjacks. (Got that idea from my sister too.) Suspenders and axes are key. I was lucky to find axes at the dollar store. But do you know how much suspenders cost? And I bought three pairs this year! I am considering them a lifelong investment in our dress-up stash. At least one person will wear them every year from here on out. It's a new Halloween rule.
As mentioned previously, our mustaches were not cheap, but oh so cheap. They spent more time in our pockets, than on our faces.

*Not all of our children eat candy. Two of them are still going without candy for a year, with the exception of three "splurge" days. They have decided next Saturday will be their last candy day of the year, so they can eat all they can handle, and then some, uninterrupted by school.