Costume Obsessed

  I was never much into Halloween growing up.  I struggled with figuring out a costume and always seem to put it to the last minute.  Somewhere in the 90's everyone figured out we could just don our flannel shirts and be farmers, but it was still a stretch.  I was never much into scary movies or candy either.  I did work as a professional face painter in New York though, so I learned a lot.
  One of the unexpected parts of parenthood is rediscovering, or discovering, really, the joy of Halloween.  As soon as Avinash - my October baby- was born I realized that I loved dressing him up.  Over the years I started hitting up Carter's and Old Navy in early November and stocking up for next year.  I love the Carter's prams for under 2.  And the princess dresses at Old Navy are way nicer than the 'brand-name' ones I think.  I have also been known to pick up things at Gap and Gymboree clearance.  I have a nice stockpile of animal outfits, Steelers jerseys, dragons and monsters.  Slowly getting more princess things now.  For me, it is just easier to buy than make something. The crochet mermaid tail for Nandini last year was the exception to the rule. 
   I think it's worth it because we dress up in the costumes all the time.  On vacation, at Christmas, trips to the zoo, football games, talk like a pirate day, Purim or just because. 

 

 



(She's dressed as Winnie-the-Pooh dressed up as a bee.  I'm pretty sure I saw this on the show once, but I realized that day, in the book he just dressed up as a little raincloud.  Doh! I was totally proud of this idea at first, esp since the bee dress alone was too itchy for her to wear.)
I am still abysmal with costume ideas for myself.  What are your plans for Halloween costumes this year?