Sunday, October 28, 2007

Ward Halloween Party

After a week with an excess of tears and heartache, it was nice to enjoy one of my favorite nights of the year: the Ward Halloween Party. I do so love this event. I love to talk with my kiddies and my husband and come up with a theme that is pleasing to all. I love to wrap my brain around all the little intricacies of each costume and think of the best, easiest, and cheapest way to fashion them up. I know that there is nothing wrong with buying a pre-made costume; many mothers with better qualities than mine do just that thing. But, for some reason, I just can't. To me, making our Halloween fashions is up there with buying skim milk and whole wheat bread. It's one of the few things I feel really good about how I do as a mother. Weird, I know.

I also love the creative aspect of it all. I like to figure out how I am going to do it. I don't have to actually sew everything myself (this year, I only sewed Glinda from scratch). I like to find basics at the Salvation Army and then build from there--it's cheaper that way, I've found.

And, okay, I like the whole family theme/mom made our costumes thing because my kids say things like, "You're the best Mommy in the whole wide world!" when they see their costumes. I like to look at my family and see us as a team. Of course, each year I feel more pressure to come up with something even better for the next year. I get a little stressed and frazzled the week before the party, but it's all worth it, I think.

So, here are the kids before we left for the Trunk-or-Treat:

Maia as The Wicked Witch of the West, Mackenna as "Dor-fee" (AKA Dorothy), Marlee as Glinda, The Good Witch of the North, Mason as the Scarecrow


The whole fam-damily: the kids plus me as the Cowardly Lion and Michael as the Tin Man

Dorothy's friends: Lion, Tin Man and Scarecrow

15 comments:

Jenni said...

Your costumes rocked Mendy!! I am always so excited to see them at the party! Glinda's crown was so spot on!! Yay for the trunk or treat!

Corinne said...

Your costumes are always great. Everyone looked awesome!! It was a fabulous night

Deb said...

they turned out fabulous! i loved glinda too. you did a great job! and i hear you on the "make your own" thing. it's just fun to do.

Cami said...

They were seriously awesome costumes! You always do such a great job.

Dawn said...

You are so cool Mendy, I have 3 years of halloween pics of you guys.
I so wish i could have been there.
The brits are really boring at Halloween
Keep smiling

Scarlett said...

It's so nice to see how much creativity and energy you put into this for your family, A+. I still have hope one day I can stop being the Costco mom and start baking my own stuff, making my own costumes and purchase $300 dollars worth of groceries for only $40 bucks! wait...you already did that too! :) Thanks for being a great example of a fab mom!

Lynette said...

You guys look AWESOME....go Mendy!!!

Brenda said...

You guys looked so cute, you always do! Loved that Bro. Walburger looked exactly like Mike! That was funny.

Kellie said...

You are the best mommy in the whole world. What wonderful memories you are making for your kids.

The Spiveys said...

I love those costumes! You SHOULD be proud of them! And what memories you are creating for your children :)

Anonymous said...

As always, I covet your costumes. Ted loves them too.

Esther

Joni said...

As we pulled out the dinosaur pull-over costume purchased at the grocery store last year, and which thankfully still fits Caleb, Jeff gave me a good teasing about you and your wonderful costumes. Ha! I said. Mendy makes costumes and serves skim milk; I, um... hmm... Now I can't think what I do that any other good mommy wouldn't do! So props to you for your awesome costumes that everyone gets to enjoy.

Sally said...

Nicely DONE the Divine Miss M! The rain must have abated. No wonder you were so stressed last week. I hope all is well now.

Julia said...

I loved seeing your family on Saturday! I've missed out the last few years because I was up at my sister's house, but you certianly pulled it off one more year! You get my vote for Best Halloween Mom :D

Wendy said...

Maybe one of these years I will not be pregnant at Halloween and actually have the energy to do some of the creative things I think of doing. Until that day comes, Hallelujah for grandmothers who send costumes! Your family looked so cute!

Quotation of the Month

There is no way to be a perfect mother, and a million ways to be a good one.

-Jill Churchill