Halloween 2014

I'm glad to finally get to my Halloween pictures from last Halloween! I always love days that mark special times of each year. It is fun to look at how my kids grow each year and to look back on what they chose to be each year for Halloween. I like to always try to make something each year for one or more of their costumes. Sometimes it's all or none. Sometimes I overdo it and stress myself out. Sometimes I wonder why I even bother! But I am always happy to look back at their costumes, especially the parts I may have created. So here is HALLOWEEN 2014!

The GANG!

(So fun to add Nora to the mix this year! Last year she was a pumpkin in my belly!)

The POP STAR!! Mylie loves to dance and sing, so when she grows up she wants to be a pop star. This year we used one of Mylie's dance costumes for the dress of her pop star costume--it was fancy and glittery (always nice to be able to get a little more use out of those expensive costumes!) We found the awesome pink wig for quite cheap on Amazon--it was shipped from China! I tried to make her some high silver boots. They were way more work than they were worth! Well, maybe they ended up looking OK.   The KNIGHT! Bennett wanted to be knight this year--meaning a knight in real armor. It took a lot to convince him that A) they don't make real armor in his size, B) the real armor costumes for adults cost a fortune, and C) there is no way I could come up with to make real-looking armor. So real armor just wasn't going to happen! Luckily Amazon.com had this great knight costume that he grew to accept and love. And no handmade here on my part, unless you count the mustache! The NINJA TURTLE: Coy's costume was fun to make. I had to dye white sweats (couldn't find green) and Coy helped me stuff the muscles--we overstuffed them so much on the bottom ones that it looked like he had a chubby belly! This kid just cracks me up. He is so different than Bennett was at this age in so many ways!   Last, but not least, my LITTLE DOLL: I made the wig for Nora. It ended up taking way too long, and had way too much yarn. It was so heavy and warm! My lesson learned? Use a red hat for the cap that matches the yarn instead of a white one that you have to cover up every inch of! Oh well, at least she looked cute for pictures which is what matters most, right? Her cute little dress and shoes were from Gap.   I take absolutely no credit nor responsibility for what this man dressed up as...

Bennett's Ninth Birthday

Yes, you heard me right! My little boy turned NINE! It was clear back in October; I am still trying to stay faithful to documenting things here on my blog, and that is where I am at. I am a lucky lady to have this boy to call my own. He is a joy to raise. It is so fun to watch him learn, grow, and accomplish so many of his goals. He is so driven and is very wise for his age. At nine years old,  he loves basketball, running, reading, books, playing the piano, writing, math, and playing games (card games and board games.)

He had school that day, so he got up and got ready for that. We always do at least one gift in the morning, along with a new outfit. Bennett got Perplexus Epic, which he wanted very badly.

His birthday was a little different this year. My dad had back surgery that day, so of course my parents couldn't come to visit. Russ's parents also weren't available to come that day. So instead of a big party at home, we went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner (my kid's all love steak), then visited my dad in the hospital. It was pretty late when Bennett finally got open his presents and have his cake. We did get a visit that night from Russell's sisters.

Here is the day in pictures:

The morning present

It was a beautiful day outside. My cute nine year old!   Nora loves Bennett. He is a great big brother!   My cute boys   Easy cake to make this year--Basketball Cake.   Opening Presents: Lots of books :)