Help with Halloween?

Yes, yes, I know it's only the start of October but I'm one of those people who likes to think about this stuff in advance. Deal with it. ;)...

Is it horrible that I just really don't want to shell out the cash this year for the costumes the boys want? Last year I found a super good deal on the three matching cowboy costumes and have already recouped my costs by selling them to our local gently used store, after the boys had great fun pretending to be cowboys around the house for much of the year. This year, though, Asher adamantly wants to be the Transformer, Bumblebee (which costs between $30-50 and I can't find any used because they're new this year)...Micah wants to be Diego (guessing I could find a costume but it would likely run about $20-30...and, the larger issue is that it would definitely not be warm enough...Diego wears shorts and a tee with a little vest)...and Noah, thus far, is undecided.

Don't get me wrong. I really kinda like Halloween. Loved how my mom always decorated the house when I was growing up and had plenty of cool homemade costumes...looking forward to carving pumpkins and putting up the pretend spider webs...can't wait to wear my fun Halloween socks...And I don't mind costumes that can get a bit more use than a Transformer costume - like an astronaut costume or a cowboy or other things that can go in the dress up box for pretend play. But I just have trouble stomaching $50 for cheap fabric that won't keep my kid warm, will make visits to the bathroom troublesome, and will only get worn once or possibly twice. Are you with me?

So. With that in mind along with the fact that I don't sew...does anyone have any ideas? I'm serious. ANY ideas. I've considered trying to make robot costumes for the boys using foam and boxes and duct tape and stuff like that, which Noah seems willing to go with. I think I could get excited about this if all three boys would agree...makes more sense to me from an efficiency standpoint to make three of something rather than just one. And I really prefer that they all stick with a single theme. Sadly, though, I acknowledge that this is unlikely to happen most years. It almost definitely won't happen this year as Micah remains adamant about Diego. (We may compromise with him and just let him wear warm clothes with his bath time Diego hooded towel over that...he's little and cute and we're figuring people won't mind, LOL!) Asher, too, though, continues to insist on Bumblebee and claims that making a Bumblebee costume just won't be the same. (Rolling my eyes here)

So, since I don't really want to make just one costume and then buy the outrageously priced one and let Micah wear a towel...and since I don't want to force any of them to be something they don't want to be (thus making Halloween less fun all around)...I've been trying to brainstorm alternatives. Nathan and I even discussed just buying each boy a bag of candy and calling it good, but I don't think they'll go for that. We tossed around the idea of starting some new tradition like a trip somewhere each October in exchange, but again need for the boys to be on board. Basically, I guess I'm just complaining and looking for ideas. At the root of the problem is that I really just don't feel like investing a lot of time or money into costumes this year...would rather save that and try to put it toward Christmas. Sigh. What's a parent to do? :) Really, though...what's a parent to do? Comments please!

Promised a picture...

Here's me on my awesome new bike, pulling Micah in the trailer we found for a steal...

After Noah's soccer game earlier in the day (Asher had a bye this week and will have two games next Saturday), we went on our first family bike ride to the neighborhood park where the boys played at the playground a bit before we all headed back home. It's a little loud still with Noah and Asher's training wheels (and Asher's little legs get pretty tired), but it was great fun! It's fabulous to see the sheer joy on their faces when they ride their bikes and to know that this is good for them and for us! I envision many more family bike rides...

Oh, and Micah adores the trailer. It must be comfortable...he fell asleep on the ride home. :) 

And, hey, can you tell that I'm having a blast on my bike? Growing up, bike riding was never a huge thing for me and I honestly don't think I've ridden one in almost 20 years. Getting to pick out my own was stinkin' cool and, fortunately, I remember the basics of how to ride. It's, um, like riding a bike...LOL!

Of course, I'm still learning the finer points, but Nathan's helping me with that as he has much, much more experience with bike riding (he did a Canada to Mexico trip during college with some friends and camped along the way...still keep meaning to make a scrapbook about that...). I figure the boys and I can learn as we go, and I'm so looking forward to the journey!!

Three on Thursday...

I'm all about lists, so how about three quick lists of three?

FIRST, things I've been up to:

1. Got a bike! I'm seriously stoked. Will have Nathan take some pictures of me riding a bike (for the first time in like 20 years) this weekend. Yay!

2. Feeling pretty proud of myself for sticking to these goals so far. I've been going to the gym three times a week and exercising in between...the boys and I are doing pretty well with sticking to our homeschool schedule (having Options on Mondays really helps get our week started well!)...while I wouldn't go so far as to say that I've improved my skills in the kitchen, we have been eating out less and eating healthier at home, which is a good step...and the last goal about home decor...well, I haven't quite gotten to that one. But. See my next list. :)

3. Strangely addicted to the Word Warp game on my iPhone. It's free software by MobilityWare and has me seriously hooked, lol. In a nutshell, it gives you six letters and a time limit. You have to make as many words as you can, including at least one using all six letters, in order to move to the next level. Fun stuff.

SECOND, scrapbooking:

1. Overwhelmed with crafty ideas...those home decor projects I mentioned, layouts I'm itching to do, holiday projects in the works, long overdue projects that are unfinished and vying for attention, albums I want to make, party favor ideas for Noah's upcoming birthday, stuff like that. This all really isn't anything new, but I'm finally feeling capable of tackling some of it, so that's progress!! (August and September were just soooo busy with sorting out this new schedule.) Look for more to be shared in the days to come! Oh, and to that end, I'm thinking of trying to keep up with THIS challenge. I may not be able to post all of my layouts there, but I'm loving the challenge aspect and hoping it might help me make a dent in my "to do" pile. :)

2. Thrilled to be the guest designer for All Moments Remembered this month! I'll be joining in at their crop next Saturday, October 11 and my work with their October kit will be revealed at that time. Come join in next Saturday, okay? And drop in here on my blog, too...you never know... ;)

3. Thinking of trying my hand at a few more digital pieces. Templates like these (by my awesome friend, Tiffany!) will make that a breeze...I'm hoping. :) Check out Tiff's other goodies at Little Dreamer as well...I love her fall kit with the adorable squirrel!

FINALLY, autumn. Fall is definitely my favorite season! Here are three signs of fall that I'm loving right now:

1. Fall colors. Beyond the changing leaves outside (which aren't quite to the beautiful stage yet here), I've been enjoying the color palettes over on Etsy. These three things, in particular, caught my eye today.

• I probably wouldn't pay this much for these little acorns, but absolutely adore the colors and cute factor!
• This one may well find its way to my jewelry box. :) I've ordered from here before and love their stuff! 
• Makes no sense whatsoever, but I really like this apron. I don't know that I've ever worn an apron before but a friend got me to thinking about it the other day so I was poking around. This one's too spendy but some of the other half aprons might just come in handy around the house (probably, ironically, not in the kitchen) and when doing school stuff with the boys.
  

2. Fall clothes. I'm still fighting putting up the sandals for the year, but do love fall attire. I've already pulled out a sweater or two for soccer game days and found the most comfortable jeans ever last weekend. Ready to wear boots, long skirts, and even scarves...

3. School supplies. Yes, back to school shopping is over and the stores are full of Halloween and even Christmas. But. It doesn't stop me from ogling school supplies. :) I'm going to place an order or two online for some additional homeschool materials this afternoon and just thinking of it makes me happy. 

So. What are your favorite signs of fall?