I fully enjoy most of my eccentricities. And truth told? I don’t have enough energy to humor the notion of change. That I can only sleep with purple ear plugs in every single night? I am a light sleeper. Stashing chapstick in my bra? Convenient. And my stubborn refusal to take down last year’s Christmas cards until I have time to update addresses in my book? This makes sense to me–even if they are still up and it’s October.
I like stuff the way I like it. And I like coordinated Halloween costumes.
I suppose it all started in college when my roomies and I decided to channel the Spice Girls as a group. Yes, I’m that old.
Then I got married and we got a dog. While this was really a bit of a dry spell, as he dressed up solo sans coordination with others (my obsession only extends to dressing others up; not myself apparently), I always made sure he embraced the holiday. I squeezed the poor 70+ lb. pooch into an endless parade of XL costumes. This larger size was still too small for his frame, but I refused to recognize defeat and stuffed him in anyway. Apparently the costume industry doesn’t recognize the value of turning chocolate labs into Western cowboys. They are wrong.
Then…then it was my year. I had had a child. With my infant son AND my dog at the ready, it was finally time to let my coordinated Halloween costume fascination actualize.
The first year I went tame. Pumpkins, but still pretty cute.
The second year I got a tad more creative. A bear costume for my little guy, a bee suit for the pup, and a hand-painted honey pot for a treat basket? I could feel the momentum building!
The dog was a bit shy this year…
Then I got knocked up again. While this was largely a blessing, it was a bit dicey in that my daughter wasn’t due until mid-July. Any coordinated Halloween costume-planner worth her salt knows you must start strategizing months in advance. I decided to play it safe since I wasn’t sure of her gender: I secured matching monkey costumes in appropriate sizes well in advance for both kids. The costumes had bananas sticking out of the pockets, so it only made sense that the dog would be well suited as a banana split. The children, of course, rocked banana treat bags snagged on Pottery Barn clearance.
Teensy trouble this Halloween as son had broken femur bone and was in a full-body cast…
Year two of having two found us celebrating our Mickey and Minnie obsession–with the dog moonlighting as Goofy and adorable little matching treat bags found on Etsy. (Yes, I’m crazy).
The year no one would be photographed…
Last year was the first my husband solidly balked at my plans, “You can’t keep doing this forever. They are going to want to pick their own costumes.” So I did it, readers–I pulled out all the stops and went for the Big One: “What if we did Luke, Leia and Darth Vader?” His protestations immediately fell silent, very silent. It significantly helped that I had purchased the dog’s Vader costume 1/2 off the year before in the event that the Star Wars route would be necessitated.
It’s that the dog is so dignified…
This year, I knew I was pushing it–REALLY pushing it. My husband is right–they are outgrowing this. Rapidly. I am going to have to adopt cats in bulk or something to further the cause in future years. But surely, I could eke out just one more year? In desperation, I forewent sleep, scanning the recesses of my mind for inspiration (not really, but it’s always fun to sound a little dramatic, right?). Brilliance hit me! A win for everyone: Son–knight, Daughter–princess, Dog–dragon (okay, the dog might not be so thrilled).
So glory with me, friends. I think this is the last one, but I’m going for it, and I’m going for it big. Tiara and sword at the ready, we’re coming for you, Halloween 2014!
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Sara says
Every part of me loves this! I now want your skills and a dog to dress up with my kids 😉
Meredith says
Please borrow my dog any time 😉
Janine Huldie says
I cannot wait to see how they look this year and I tried coordinated, but both my girls (other then last year) have always wanted to be the same thing for Halloween. This year, I have two Queen Elsa’s here and spent over $100 at the Disney Store, but still think we are set until next year now! 😉
Meredith says
Janine, I think two Queen Elsas sounds PERFECT 🙂
thedoseofreality says
I LOVE IT!! I totes would adore if my children would go for matching costumes, but alas they have actual opinions now. UGH. I say you run with it as long as you possibly can!! :)-Ashley
Meredith says
Darn independent minds 😉
Kristy S. says
Well, seeing as how I’m *that* mom who dresses her 3 boys in the same, or coordinating, outfits and pajamas every day, I totally get you. 😉 Honestly, it’s just easier to buy 3 of everything and then not have to hear them argue that so and so gets to wear something and the other can’t, and it makes me happy. 🙂 So we’ve definitely done the themed costumes here!! Our first year with our doggy, hubby went as an injured construction worker, I was the doctor, and our dog was the nurse. Once our first son came along, both him and the dog were dinosaurs. Super cute. The following year, my son was a monkey, and the dog was a banana. Adorable. The next year, another son had arrived, and my oldest was into Angry Birds. So, 2 Angry Birds and the dog was one of the pigs. Handmade costumes that year for the first time!! Woah, it couldn’t get any cuter!!! Haha! The following year, my oldest wanted to be a dog, so he was a dog, my other son was a cow, and the dog was a cat. It was a Hey Diddle, Diddle theme, with handmade costumes again!! Seriously happy with those! 🙂 Then last year, I had just had yet another son, and unfortunately wasn’t up to making costumes yet. Sigh. So, no coordination and the older boys got to pick what they wanted to be (Superman and Elmo). My youngest was a penguin and the dog was a football. This year, I’m back in the game though!! My oldest chose Lego Movie as the theme, and fortunately my middle’s son request fit right in with that!! Woohoo! So, my youngest and the dog will go along because well, I can. Haha!! I don’t know how much longer we’ll be able to keep it up, but I think Star Wars could potentially be up for grabs still, too. 🙂
Your kiddos are too cute and I’m loving your costumes!! Can’t wait to see this years, too!
Meredith says
You get me! You get me! Go rock the Lego movie and I want to see pics!!
Chris Carter says
Oh my GOSH you are AMAZING!!!!! Every single year of your precious costumes made me laugh and smile and go ‘AW!!!!”
KEEP doing this. I don’t care who is against it or if your kids fight the good fight… this is just freaking AWESOME!!!
Meredith says
“Fight the good fight” indeed! I love you, Chris 🙂
Kathy at kissing the frog says
Not squeeing at all, nope. Not entranced by alllllll the cuteness overload, nosireee. 😉
Meredith says
Nope, not me either 😉 Thanks for checking in!
Karin says
I have boy/girl twins also and they are 9. Last year they did coordinated cowboy/cowgirl costumes all on there own. I am wondering if I can convince them to do Luke and Leia next year. Thanks for the pictures. I have to go find mine now.
Meredith says
I love that they are 9 and wanting to do this! Wonderful, in my book!
Stephanie {Binkies and Briefcases} says
I can’t even get over the monkeys and the banana split. Most awesome idea ever. I love how you even get the dog involved.
Meredith says
Send your crew over and we’ll make it a whole knight and princess party! Wa-hoo! 🙂
Sisterhood of the Sensible Mom says
I literally can’t even. Still dying over the monkeys and Darth Vader. Ellen
Meredith says
Darth kills me every time–he’s so cheery.
Kari says
Cracking up & absolutely loving them all! Have been in the dark about your adorable costuming obsession. Still think there’s gotta be a year where you & Jared get in on the the costume coordination gig. Just think of all the possibilities….
Meredith says
You are so right…this makes me so nervous…!
Amy Flory - Funny Is Family says
I’ve been trying to get my kids to be Luke and Leia for five years, to no avail. Two years ago they were Harry Potter and Hermione Granger, though, which was just as good. My dog says no thank you on costumes, but I am dying over your Darth Vader!
Meredith says
Oh gosh, that Harry and Hermione gig is cool! Go you!
Trina S says
Mine are two years apart. Last year they were Dora and Boots. This year they’ll be princess and the frog. I’m going to keep doing it as long as I can get away with it. 🙂
Meredith says
What cute ideas, Trina! Definitely enjoy your little princess and frog! 🙂
Lisa @bitesforbabies says
Cute costumes! You just reminded me that I need to get more into the Hallowe’en spirit! My mom was always kind of a Scrooge when it came to holidays so I really didn’t get into them that much. Also, my husband is from Italy so he didn’t grow up celebrating Hallowe’en!!!
Meredith says
Lisa, I think you would have so much fun with it! Here’s to bringing all the spookiness to your corner of the world! 😉