Happy Hallowe'en!

I decided a long time ago (as I tend to do) that I really wanted Rachel to be Boo from Monsters Inc. for Halloween this year. Naturally, Josh would have to be Sully, and Laura could go as Mike Wazowski. Even though neither of them are particularly into this movie at the moment, I ... ahem... convinced them it was a good idea for my own agenda. (Rachel will only be two years old once! Age-appropriate costumes, people!) I also had to convince Josh, who was not enthralled with the idea of going as a big fluffy blue guy. I reminded him that Sully was the Top Scarer. It didn't help. But, because they are all so awesome, the humoured me and went along with it. <3

The whole thing from start to finish ended up being a lot of work. Laura and I started working on her Mike Wazowski costume over a month ago. We did several layers of papier mache over the exercise ball, which she was excited about in theory, but in practice she really dislikes being messy/ sticky. Since she didn't like the goo, she ripped up newspaper for me, and lost interest after about 2nd or 3rd layer.

The other two costumes were also time consuming to make, but I think they all turned out pretty cute in the end. :) We had to cut off Boo's 'hood' after pictures because the weight of the mop on top was pulling it down and being obnoxious. Also, Sully's horns weren't really that lopsided, but we didn't take the time to straighten them before the picture because our trick or treating buddy had already been waiting a while for us to get ready.

Rachel in her 'school' Boo costume

The Trick or Treating costumes <3 

Boo and Mike

Our less than spectacular Monster's Inc pumpkins

pumpkin carving the night before

Laura's self portrait
I just love this picture so much

Rachel's scribbles all carved out.
 Toddler + slow exposure to capture glowing pumpkin = blurry. :/

As usual, it was cold and raining for trick or treating, so the kids didn't want to stay out too long. We still got a good haul of candy, though, thanks to high density housing (enough to last the four of us the weekend anyway ;) ) When we got home we, of course, dove right in.  Josh and I were amused and pleased that the kids wanted all the crappy candy (gummy pizzas, no name marshmallow pumpkins, foil-wrapped chocolate eye balls, etc.) leaving the good, name brand candy for us! Win! LOL

Laura also said she likes handing out candy more than trick or treating. Fancy that! I'm sure she would change her tune if she actually realized that meant she wouldn't have candy of her own, though. ;)

Our Halloweeny dinner

Happy Halloween, All!

I LOVE MAKING STUFF (III)

This past year's compilation of crafty endeavours:

Button lamp for Laura's room

Rachel's 'Boots' costume

another Very Hungry Caterpillar hat for a cousin's first birthday

'Dad' photo frame for Father's Day

barefoot 'sandals' for one of Laura's preschool teachers

Rachel's baby quilt

Rachel's skirt

Fairy house and garden

Fairy chairs and toadstool table

matching crocheted sunhats for the girls

hair bow holder for the girls

A country burlap wreath as a wedding present for Josh's cousin

The benches from upcycled pallets and the cushion covers

'Bunny Rug' blanket for baby Hannah

Cross-stitched Wreck It Ralph shirt for Rachel's fiance

These sharkbite tops. Rachel had a matching one that I promptly lost
(somehow) before she ever even got to wear it. I also made matching
ones for our American cousins for when we visited.

A quiet book about dinosaurs that I started a long time ago but finished before our road trip

Another 'bunny rug' (they were my favourite thing when Laura was a baby,
so I like making and giving them as gifts), and a little bear hat for my cousin's new baby

ETA Oct 29: Another request for a hungry caterpillar hat for my friend's new cute little guy