Tag Archive | costume

Happy Halloween

So this year we had FIVE homemade costumes… I don’t think we have ever had so many to make! Ken and I each had some part in an aspect of each costume. Be it crochet or sewing. I think they turned out rather well and all were done the day BEFORE Halloween!!!IMAG1136

We did a costume try on on Friday in the backyard with out amazing leaves. I was so pleased to see that everything fit well and that the kids were all happy with their costumes.IMAG1146

We have a tiny witch…DSCN1264

DSCN1266Rapunzel…DSCN1267

A triceratops…DSCN1269

An ice wizard…DSCN1272

And a fire wizard…DSCN1274

Ken even made the staffs from the limbs of trees Baba cut down last month.

The hats were all made from the witch’s pattern on crochetspot.com. I have a toddler version up for sale on my Etsy store if anyone is interested HERE.IMAG1138

I used another crochetspot.com pattern for Trinity’s flowers. We sewed those to a fabric headband and then tied ribbons to the back which were braided into her hair.IMAG1140

Ken was 100% in charge of the cloaks! Didn’t he do a great job?IMAG1144

For our resident dinosaur I found a great pattern for a Triceratops hat thanks to Ida Rott HERE. And then Ken made the tail and the gloves with claws. (his overalls outfit thing and Trinity’s dress were lucky Goodwill finds as was Echo’s broom)IMAG1143

I, myself even gave dressing up a go and went as a gamer girl… Ken had to have a photograph… the shirt said Do Not Disturb I am Playing Video Games… I think he just wanted a visual record of the fact I was actually wearing jeans and socks. Men.IMG_20151101_000444

We did our yearly traditional trick or treat with the Novaks and then hang out after. This year we came early and had pizza. The kids had a blast and we came home with WAY TOO MUCH candy!

Jacob and Echo

Jacob and Echo

IMG_2876IMAG1181We did not do a full on Halloween unit this year… what with the printer being mean and refusing to allow the ink to last (we think there may be a leak… devastating for a homeschool family…) and the busy busy life we have had I simply did not have the time. However, we did do some great print outs from Activity Village HERE, and read some amazing books… oh and watched a couple films! So I will share that info below!

Free hot chocolate!

Free hot chocolate!

Movies:

Books:

  • Halloween by Natalie M. Rosinsky HERE
  • Halloween by Mari C. Schuh HERE
  • Halloween and the Day of the Dead Traditions Around the World by Joan Axelrod-Contrada HERE
  • The Story of Halloween by Carol Greene HERE
  • John Pig’s Halloween by Jan L. Waldron HERE
  • Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson HERE
  • Trick or Treat, It’s Halloween by Linda Lowery and Richard Keep HERE
  • H is for Haunted House by Tanya Lee Stone HERE
  • Skeleton Shake by Liz Conrad HERE
  • Halloween Is… by Gail Gibbons HERE

Gavin chose to do a quick fact list on Mummies so he used to following two books for that:

  • Ancient Egyptian People by Sarah McNeill HERE
  • Mummies & Their Mysteries by Charlotte Wilcox HERE
Echo and Zombie Alex

Echo and Zombie Alex

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Kids with their Halloween treats from Gammie and their popsicle stick and yarn spider webs

Kids with their Halloween treats from Gammie and their popsicle stick and yarn spider webs

Pizza!

Pizza!

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Rennaissance in the Sunshine

Now I am sure most people know that Ken and I do the Renaissance Festival ONCE a year, always in some sort of costume and if we can with my best friend since high school (shhh not telling the year) Shandai. In fact, when we relocated from Canada to sunny Minnesota it was at the festival that we first laid eyes on each other once again! This first time I wore the costume from She Chris and He Chris’ wedding … fun fact…547311_10151169179466151_37073558_n

Now we have gone every year for 4 visits… although it has been 3 years since we have moved… gotta love it when you move back right when festival is going on! And at this point I am totally spoiled with an AMAZING dress thanks to the combined efforts of Shandai, her roommate Emily and an amazing seamstress named Melinda. Apparently this piece is Melinda’s first dress made that she left behind to be passed to someone in need… the previous two visits I have also borrowed Shandai’s hoopskirt and created my own snood via my crochet skills! But… THIS year Ken took the initiative and his newly created sewing skills and with some input from those in the know MADE ME my own hoopskirt!

When it is muggy hot with a heat advisory you pre dress at home!

When it is muggy hot with a heat advisory you pre dress at home!

And this waist makes it all worth while.

And this waist makes it all worth while.

Note the belt, my new purchase at the fair this year. Leather and gorgeous.

Note the belt, my new purchase at the fair this year. Leather and gorgeous.

Anyway, last year we actually got to go WITH Shandai and her then boyfriend Ravyn. They had, in past years, worked there so we would only visit with them briefly and then wander on our own. Now they are both able to go as guests so we of course, go when they can. Thanks to Chris and Jeff this year being willing to not only watch the minions but also collect Sean from the airport that afternoon we were once again able to go on the date that Shandai and Ravyn (now fiances) were going.DSCN0990

We were unable to find time for Ken to make the shirt he planned to make as a new costume or afford the kilt I would LOVE to see him in but Ravyn had the amazingly brilliant thought to pull out a wizard costume he had and voila… Ken was dressed to impressed (ignore the sneakers).

With staff and all.

With staff and all.

With beer

With beer

Better yet – we all were coordinated… green was the colour of the day!

DSCN1004DSCN0986We shopped, we wandered… we ran into people we knew (cuz I finally KNOW PEOPLE!). We braved the heat advisory weather in a corset (yup another addition to my wardrobe that will be used in the October wedding). We got complimented on our costumes and even met a mermaid!DSCN1009

DSCN1010There were so many interesting characters and shops. We played, we snacked, we drank (the mead was exceptional) and we enjoyed it all. Definitely an experience I would suggest to anyone! Especially in costume.DSCN0985

I had to snap a pic of this lovely lady... Duchess came instantly to mind, does it not?

I had to snap a pic of this lovely lady… Duchess came instantly to mind, does it not?

Tell me you don't hear the Lego theme song in your head instantly!

Tell me you don’t hear the Lego theme song in your head instantly!

There be dragons here!

There be dragons here!

The wizard lent me his staff... he also bought me that basket before festival at a steal for 5.00!

The wizard lent me his staff… he also bought me that basket before festival at a steal for 5.00!

Do not question the tails.

Do not question the tails.

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Sitting in the romantic garden sipping mead.

Sitting in the romantic garden sipping mead.

I found the princess!

I found the princess! Well… A princess

Music break

Music break

A mermaid and a Scotsman! What a duo!

A mermaid and a Scotsman! What a duo!

the mermaids just love the children.

the mermaids just love the children.

Thirsty business

Thirsty business

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Playing the boob drums

Playing the boob drums

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A squid earring!

A squid earring!

I think this is one of my favourite images... I found a baby fairie!

I think this is one of my favourite images… I found a baby fairie!

2015 Goes On!

And without any sort of notice it was over! But not without some exuberant amount of photos… so please enjoy the light hearted overflow! 

Goldie Bloks with Daddy

Goldie Bloks with Daddy

Hello Kitty for life

Hello Kitty for life

Aunty Renee Awesome with Miss E

Aunty Renee Awesome with Miss E

Impromptu arts center.

Impromptu arts center.

Science in the kitchen

Science in the kitchen

A visit at the Novak's

A visit at the Novak’s

Lunch out with Ken!

Lunch out with Ken!

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Minnesotan's REALLY love their Ranch??

Minnesotan’s REALLY love their Ranch??

Embrace the colour!

Embrace the colour!

Batgirl with homemade weapons.

Batgirl with homemade weapons.

United Noodle RUN!

United Noodle RUN!

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AN ENGAGEMENT PARTY!!! Congrats Shandai and Ravyn we love you!

AN ENGAGEMENT PARTY!!! Congrats Shandai and Ravyn we love you!

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Our play anywhere any time girl

Our play anywhere any time girl

Reading and more!

Reading and more!

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Sewing!

Sewing!

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