The Halloween Costume

I knew it would happen eventually and this year it did - my son decided he wanted to buy a Halloween costume instead of having one made. He's going to be Batman. The purchase has been made, he's ecstatic, and while it's one less thing on my to-do list, I'm already feeling a little nostalgic for the costumes of past years.  And so, to mark the end of an era, I offer you a trip down (my) memory lane:

The Pilot:

Ten weeks into the haze of new parenthood, I remember that this costume was the only thing my husband and I accomplished that day beyond the feeding and diapering. We were exhausted, but didn't want to let the first Halloween slip by unnoticed. I'm glad we did it because I still laugh when I see this photo. And the costume was so easy - I simply created an iron-on decal for his onesie, used a pilot's cap that someone had given us, and made goggles from felt (which I had attached on the inside of the pilot's cap with a little Velcro).

 

The Scarecrow:

I saw this costume in Parents, years before I actually had a child, when I first started working with the magazine. I loved it so much that I clipped it and saved it for the future - and finally made it. I loved this costume on him, but our evening was almost derailed when he declared he was going trick or treating in his pajamas. At the last minute he changed his mind (much to his mother's secret delight).

 

The Pirate:

Last year was the year I begged him to just let me buy a costume as I was neck deep in work and deadlines. He declined and casually suggested that I could just make something. This was the result of some last-minute maneuvering and he couldn't have been happier.  I put him in a pair of sweatpants that were a size too small (therefore, too short), bought some striped women's socks and pulled them up right over the sweatpants, made a coffee filter jabot that I attached to the front of a plain white T-shirt, added a fabric sash and bandanna, and purchased pirate accessories. He loved it - especially after he'd ditched the Pirate's hat and gotten rid of his face paint.

 

Now, if only he'd let me make that owl costume I've had my eye on...

 

Comments

[Suzonne]

Oh, I know! I miss those little versions of my guy and it pains me just a bit when he wanders off in his store bought costume so he can be just like his older cousins. But I'm so happy to have photos!

[fasnacht]

Yee! I can’t help but fall in love with the kid wearing pirate’s costume; he is so cute. The pilot was handsome too!

[Baby costume]

I think this is simply superb. I love the Halloween costume.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyr_KC2dbao Pilot costume is superb with all the write up and black circle around eye. Looking very gentle. Very funny pictures, i love them.

[lexi]

awesome costumes! even though he wanted to buy a costume this year, there will be plenty of time (and requests) for you to mix in a few homemade ones for future halloweens, not to mention mardi gras and school events, too!

[Wendy]

It doesn't last long. I cherish a photo of my now 18yo, 6'6" son dressed as Thomas the Tank Engine at the age of 2. He dressed as Shaggy (from Scooby Doo) last year, he passed out candy while I trick or treated with my daughters. He really plays it up for the little kiddos. Zoinks! Can't wait to see pics of "The Dark Knight" aka "Batman"!

[rachel]

adorable costumes! my daughter talks about pirates a lot lately, so i decided i'd make her into one for halloween this year. trying to gather all the inspiration i can for materials i need to get ahold of :)

the scarecrow is just tooo cute.