Each year Stephen and I insist that the the boys have homemade Halloween costumes. I've said before that we have nothing against store bought costumes (or the people who buy them ) but obviously - like most things - we think our way is better. But unlike most of the other hardcore-homemade-Halloween-costume parents I've come across, Stephen and I are always hot gluing, painting, and sewing the day of. We refuse to "buy-in" to the convenience of over-consumption and mass consumerism (I know, I'm being preachy, over dramatic, and probably hypocritical) and instead choose to live in chaos for the few final days before Halloween.

It's exhausting and overwhelming. But trust me, it's better this way. We've never caved in and our boys will have the hilarious pictures to prove our dedication to a homemade Halloween.

It's the night before Halloween and the costumes are mostly done. Stephen just painted a second coat of white fabric paint on Wyatt's skeleton suit and I just need to wrap a few more strips of cheesecloth around Henry once he actually has his mummy costume on.



This is the second time in seven years that Henry and Wyatt have not worn either identical or complimentary Halloween costumes. It feels like a big deal and I am sure it has something to do with being in separate classrooms for the first time ever. It's either that or the fact that I am too busy with all my other commitments to be my usual influential and controlling self.

Although we are frantically putting the finishing touches on both costumes just less than 24 hours before the big day, our house has been decorated since early October - I guess it's all about priorities, right? This was my first big year as far as Halloween decorations go. I mean this shit is legit. I even bought a fake $5 skull at Target, which, by the way, totally does not qualify as consumerism.

Anyway, I always decorate for fall but never for Halloween. I don't know why this year was different. It probably had something to do with Pinterest. Of course it was Pinterest. Who am I kidding? Why else would I dedicate nearly 11 hours of my life to cutting out more than 50 paper bats only to suffer temporary nerve damage lasting more than two weeks in both my left thumb and forefinger? Pinterest! But just look - it was totally worth it.



I've also been tucking miniature gourds around the house. These little gourds have been my standby fall decoration for years, although I think I am over them. That said, I love this little pumpkin sitting on the boys windowsill.



On the topic of gourds, Henry and Wyatt carved their pumpkins on Monday night. They made silly happy pumpkins. They are laughing pumpkins. Henry's pumpkin is even leaning back as if caught in the middle of a full belly laugh. My kids are rad.



Happy trick or treating!