Pick a costume, any costume...

It seems that the opportunities for the kids to wear costumes start in early October and continue all month. We are also fortunate enough to have several generous friends who share my love of borrowing and trading, so we had several costumes for the kids to choose from.

I tried to steer Katy toward some other options like Buckeye cheerleader, but she insisted for weeks that she wanted to be Ariel. We borrowed a costume from a friend and Katy was thrilled that the costume "looks like she doesn't have legs, like a real mermaid." She asked me today if maybe she could see the movie sometime. (I'd be happy to show her, but it was only 9 months ago that Ursula on Ice scared her into the lobby. So we'll see.)

David kept teetering between Thomas and a dinosaur, but every time he had to make the final call, Thomas it was. Brian spent hours transforming our wagon into a train for Thomas to pull around the neighborhood.

At first I was going to put Luke in the lamb costume that Katy and David have both worn. But after getting his picture taken in it early in the month, a friend handed us a lion costume that was so cute I couldn't pass it up. So the lion got to ride in the train - which he tolerated for about 30 seconds.

First up, the annual photo shoot at Brian's work for their calendar.

 photo courtesy Jodi Miller

 photo courtesy Jodi Miller

 photo courtesy Jodi Miller

Next, Boo at the Zoo when Oma and Opa were in town. (I didn't bother with a costume for Luke)

In search of treat stations.

Could've stayed in the hay maze for hours.

One of those girly salons had a booth with princesses - they took Katy over and sprayed glitter in her hair (which she loved, but I was surprised they didn't ask the parents?)

Then it was David's parade and party at school:

Anxiously awaiting Thomas (don't be fooled - the lion could not be contained!)

So proud!

Katy's parade and party:

Finally, trick or treat!! We love to go with friends - and this year we were joined by first-timers Frank and Maggie!

Katy and her girls. At the end of the night, she told me that she wished she had a sister. :(

Have you ever seen a cuter gnome?

David was thrilled that Frank came along.

Oh, babies in animal costumes!

See the train? The cage didn't contain the lion, who wanted to run free. The lion then did a face plant and bled down the front of his costume. Which Brian said made him look more authentic, as a lion.

The coolest thing that happened was right at the end - we were heading home and it was dark, and a fire truck with flashing lights pulled up right next to us. The firemen jumped out with bags of candy and made David's night!

So we made it through another Halloween! It's nice to pack up the costumes for now, but David's already asking how long until the next Halloween.