The Puppy Snatchers, The Pixels, and The Princess

Halloween was like, weeks ago, but I need documentation of our costumes this year. This was the first time since Halloween 2011 that Brett had been in town to celebrate with us so I kind of suggested he just go with my plan and wear the beatnick looking garb and carry the fish net holding a fake dalmation through the streets because IT WAS FOR THE CHILDREN.

I thrifted almost everything for our costumes this year, down to Smith's two dalmation suits (one to keep him warm and one to go over the Ergo so people could still get the gist of his costume), except for my wig. I tell you, Springfield thrifts always seem to have exactly what I'm looking for! We purchased the kids' costumes from Target before we moved because I expected things would get a little crazy trying to do it all at once here in Springfield and have gladly surrendered my desire to have them wear something incredibly artistic and creative. Princesses and Minecraft are a big deal around here right now so store bought and easy was the name of the game for the big kids this year.

We got to rejoin the annual Rountree Halloween Parade and ran into some friends we hadn't seen in a long time. We got to spend a hot minute with the Sheltons and their adorable handmade costumes before getting distracted by all the puppies!

Apparently, there's a big group from the Springfield Little Theater that dress up together every year and it just so happened that their Cruella hadn't shown up just yet so I grabbed them for a picture. Last year they all dressed as minions. How fun is that! 

We then ran into some of the big kids' friends from their new school and started the Halloween route collecting candy with them. We got about twenty minutes into it when my little dalmation and our princess had both had enough of the rush and the cold (it got down to 34 while we were out) so we took a little break and warmed up in the car with some hot chocolate before heading out for another round. Smith got his tummy filled and decided to nap the rest of the night while I carried him in my Ergo and the big kids were reenergized and ready to fill their buckets. We finally called it quits two hours later, got the kids home and tucked into bed, and watched some Netflix in front of the fire with some soup from the crock pot. It was kind of perfect.

The morning after we headed out to the pumpkin patch for a school planned gathering. They got to run through the corn maze, ride the horse, chase the barn cats, paint pumpkins, and take in two magic shows. The best part of going to the pumpkin patch the day after Halloween is not having to wait in line for ANYTHING. It was a beautiful day and I'm glad we didn't completely skip that tradition just because we were moving states.

This boy was pretty content to be carried in the Ergo all weekend and I was pretty content that he doubled as my portable heater. I'm going to miss that part when he decides he's too busy walking and running everywhere to be bothered with being worn. These days are passing quickly!

So, that was Halloween this year! Now we have Thanksgiving upon us and I'm about two days away from putting up our Christmas tree! Looking forward to savoring both.

-Rachel

Comments

[Les G.]

how awesome is it that the year you dress up as Cruella you run in to a pack of dalmatians!?
talk about a welcome back parade for you!

this is so awesome!!!
these pictures are the best!!!

[meret]

longtime reader, first time commenter :-)
i just HAD to say it: you and your husband would be the PERFECT mary poppins and bert. just perfect. you would look so lovely and brett would pull off the best bert ever. just sayin' :-)
thanks for writing such a lovely blog, it's always a pleasure to stop by.
all the best from berlin, germany.

[Denise Ross]

I love how you go all out to get dressed up for Halloween. You all look fantastic. My son would be jealous of your sons minecraft head. He's 9 and loves minecraft.