Best .Costume. Ever.
I'm not a crafty person. I don't scrapbook, I barely knit, and I only sew under extreme duress. Needless to say, I'm not that whip up the perfect Hallowe'en costume mom. Which is not to say that I've never made The Ladies' costumes, just that I tend to take a minimalist approach that doesn't require pesky details like patterns and sewing machines. I am the MacGyver of Hallowe'en, taking seemingly random objects and fashioning feasible costumes out of them.
A touque, a shower puff, and a pair of footy pajamas and viola! A bunny! A poncho, a length of wire ribbon, and a dollar store wand found at the bottom of the dress up box and suddenly you're looking at a medieval queen. You want to be a fairy? No problem; leggings, multiple tutus, some deelyboppers (also courtesy of the dress up box), and a pair of wings and you're all set.
I'm pretty proud of my what my personal brand of laziness, poverty, and creativity have wrought over the years. But the cosutme the Zen Baby is wearing in that photo is my piece de resistance. It's the alien from Alien, bursting out of her gut a la the movie. In additon to being just plain cool, that costume represents a victory of sorts. The day I was told about her tumour, I vowed that Regan would wear that costume for Hallowe'en. I wasn't sure how I would make it, but that wasn't the point; I knew I would figure it out, and that in doing so I would put the beast in her belly in its place.
If Hallowe'en is about confronting monsters and demons, we've been there, done that, and kept our sense of humour along the way. Hallowe'en is also all about magic and seeing the possibilites. And nothing brings that home like whipping together a pirate, a fairy, or a scary monster with a quick glance around the apartment and a little faith and imagination. While The Ladies may not have always had the fanciest costumes in the neighbourhood, I think they've probably had the most fun with them. Which is also what Hallowe'en should be about.
Comments
I think costume are fun to do with the kids if you have time. Unlike me as a working, going to school full-time single mom stopping at Old Navy to pick out a costume 2 days before the class party is such a headache. I wish I had time.
This is the absolute best costume ever. I haven't been reading the blog for a long time - what tumor does she have?
I went thru your posts & "you go girl" We (I'm a single mom of 3) dont always know what to say; but when the time comes we pull miracles out of our hat! Keep living for the moment.
its gorgeous, its always the most beautiful girls that end up being attacked by the horrible monsters. Well done, hope she has a good halloween, hope you all do
The minute I saw that extra little head, I knew it had to be the moment from Alien. Brilliant! Zen Baby looks great.
I understand about the 'MacGyver' thing. I'm not a great seamstress, but I'm terrific at emergency costume repair.
Also just wondering what kind of tumour your baby has. I believe this question has been asked before. Was it cancerous? I would like to know more about your story.
Quick! Any advice for those of us who are Not-Usually-So-Creatively-Challenged and Just-Plain-Tired? I need DeeDee DoodleBop, a pink Power Ranger, and a David from the Bible (as a giant-killer, not a king! ;-)
