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You already know that I have a family of Mario fans. These are our Halloween costumes from last year. Do you like? I’m the one doing the cheekie pose in the mushroom, I mean, the Toad hat.
Which brings me to my confession. Last year I stayed up late into the night, actually a couple nights, getting three of these costumes sewn. Staying up way too late sewing has become my Halloween tradition.
And one of those nights, when I was stumbling into bed at an unearthly hour, Brent said this: “Next year, I’ll be in charge of costumes.”
I said okay.
And so this year, he took the kids to Walmart one day and they came home with costumes. Period.
And you know, I’m feeling okay about it.
Sometimes, to raise your standards in one part of your life, I think you have to lower them in another part. Sometimes letting one thing go lets the rest of your life stay in balance. And with kids in two schools and lots of other projects going on, I’m telling myself it’s okay to take a year off.
But I think I’m still going to sew the baby’s costume. I can’t quit cold turkey.
Lowering your standards is so H-A-R-D sometimes. When you know you want to sew the cutest costumes or throw the cutest party. It’s hard just not to. You know? But the reason we appreciate an adorable party or craft or costume is because of all the time and love that went into it. Right? So I will be appreciating lots of other costumes this year.
Speaking of that, what is your family doing for Halloween?
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
thank you for this post, i totally needed to hear this! i am not a sewer, so my little boy went in striped overalls, a neckerchief and a train hat to the parade this year. we were a touch ‘underdressed’, but he didn’t care and had the SAME amount of fun as everyone else. yes, sometimes you do have to let go and grin. happy halloween!!
i love a good family themed costume. however yes costumes can get pricey and timely and take away from the fun. so the little one will be a simple pumpkin because her chubbiness will suit the suit if you know what i mean and we’re simply going as inside out people. wear all of your clothes inside out! hope you have a great weekend.
Wow, you are speaking directly to my heart today. I have had a trillion projects going on and making costumes just wasn’t in the cards this year. I felt devastated that I would make my children wear BOUGHTEN costumes. The funny thing is, they love them just the same. Happy Halloween from one crazy mom to another. :-)
I have a Mario and Luigi and Princess Peach this year! I made Mario and Luigi, bought princess peach and ran out of steam by the time I could even think of making the baby a costume. (That luma idea is great!) So the husband and I and the baby will not be dressed up this Halloween and I’m totally okay with that…even though it’s hard to resist pulling an all nighter and sewing some costumes.
Ladies, wow, it felt so great to read your notes. Thanks for making me feel like I’m in good company. Hope your weekends with your little ones are wonderful!
Your Mario costumes are adorable! We’ve done our share of matching Halloween costumes over the years, but it is definitely a labor of love. This year my 5 kiddos are going as the Scooby Doo gang! I purchased the Scooby costume online for my 1-year-old, but the rest were put together from thrift store pieces with a few alterations, plus a couple of scarves. I literally spent less than a half hour sewing! They turned out fantastic and I’m thinking of taking their pictures and using them for our Christmas cards!
Thanks so much for your thoughts on priorities, you put it perfectly and it was something I definitely needed to hear.
AMEN to that! I have spent several weeks this Halloween trying to figure out how to make the coolest costume for my daughter and feeling frustrated that I just couldn’t seem to do it. I have spent time feeling like a loser for not being the best. Finally (now that Halloween is a couple days away) I realized I was being crazy and decided to go buy something simple. I feel so much relief. There is so much pressure one women to be super heroes and make everything work perfectly. I’m realizing that the perfect mom may be the one that has time to hang out at the park or read books to her kids rather than slaving over appearances. I do love to create but deadlines can make it a chore rather than a passion.
nothing for halloween really… we will have a dinner party for the day of death…
love the costumes!
I totally agree with YOU! I have told my hubby countless times that I am happy blogs were not around when I had babies because I know I would have felt like a horrible momma looking at all of the achievements that so many moms are able to achieve with young families!
I think you are awesome for knowing what to let go of and what other fun things you want to do with the time you would have been sewing in order to bless your family and those around you…and your readers, of course!
I am sure this Halloween will be much more relaxed, right!
Every year since I can remember we have had chili and cornbread…it was a tradition my parents started when we were young and we are continuing it with our children! This year, our daughter who is in college will be bringing friends home for dinner with our family. It is those sweet times of sharing a meal together that memories are made…and yes…the chili is a dump.dump. recipe and the cornbread is made with BISQUICK! Priorities! :)
Loved your post!
I love these costumes!!! My son is a huge Mario fan! He was Mario 2 years in a row since the costume still fit. He was also Link one year…actually my favorite costume.
How cute! My boyfriend and I were Peach and Mario this year
Wow, looks like there are a lot of Mario themed costumes this year. I have got some too. I used your hat pattern, and it really made the costumes great.
http://www.cuteasafox.com/2010/10/mario-luigi-halloween-costumes.html
I totally agree about finding some balance. This was the first year I have sewn costumes myself and it is a LOT of work!
Thanks for the great pattern!
Ashley
Sometimes, we just can’t do it all. My son decided to be a vampire this year and I had intentions to make him a cape. Then my sewing machine started acting up, cleaning my house and preparing for an out of town wedding next week, my TWO jobs and so many other things just started tumbling. So when I ventured into a local thrift store and found a complete vamp ensemble for only $6, I bought it! He loved it and even got compliments so I made the right choice. Sounds like you made the right choice this year too.
I have never commented on any of the blogs I read. I am so very much inspired by you and your blog. Thank you.
On the costume issue. I don’t look at what you did this year as lowering your expectations. You did the important part with your children. They will remember holidays whether or not costumes were handmade, or the perfect font was used on the party favors. None of that matters to children. (or most adults on the recieving end of kindness). A Momma that gets her sleep and rest because Daddy went to Walmart enjoys the holiday much more. To quote MS, “Thats a good thing!”
Thank you for your inspiration. :)
How on EARTH do I make that mushroom hat! I love it and have to make one like this for halloween! Please let me know!
Hi Sawna,
I’m sorry I’ve been SO pokey in responding. So I kind of just did the hat freehand. I cut out 4 panels of sort of spade-like shapes and sewed them together, then put it on my head and made ajustments. THen I stuffed a throw pillow in the top right from my couch. This probably isn’t helpful at all is it?? I’m not sure what else I can explain, maybe I can take a pic of it inside out for you? Let me know and I’ll pull it out.
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