If you haven’t worked out your childrens’ Halloween costume yet (which is highly unlikely), you may be needing some last-minute-ideas. As our society is sadly at the whim of Hollywood, some of the favourites this year are in the film category. So think of Pirates of the Carribean, Superman (this one is a mainstay really), Princesses, Angels and Devils.

If you already have stuff at home you can recycle, all the better! As my daughter has three Halloween parties over the weekend, two of them on the same day - I didn’t want to spoil the “Jessie” costume for the later event, so I made her a “makeshift” angel costume from what we had at home. Namely:

1 pair of feathered angel wings (bought about 3 years ago and still in good condition)

1 “magic” white shirt (her Grandmother got this in Vegas, its “magic” because its as tiny as a doll’s shirt but expands to fit everyone - even my husband, who is a pretty big man- it also has an “icing-like” texture which goes perfectly with the look)

1 white crinkle skirt with silver sequined garter. (the Issey Miyake crumpled look complemented the rest of the outfit well)

1 pair of Dorothy’s ruby slippers (ok, this did not really go, but it probably wont fit her next month, and she loves it, so hey)

It took about 5 minutes to assemble, then topped off with a nice bubbly white hair accessory - voila!!

[tags]Halloween costumes,kids costumes,Toy Story,Angel costume[/tags]

What is it with scary things and kids? My daughter LOVES Halloween. If it weren’t for the presents factor of Christmas, Halloween would probably win hands down. Like most of her 4-year-old pals, monsters, ghosts, vampires and other nasties elicit more thrills than anything on Nick Jr. or indeed, the man in the red suit.

So with all the decorative gruesome ghouls out at the mall, we embarked on our quest for the coveted costume this year. A couple of months ago, we had already settled on Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz (how nice and old fashioned, and a great way for her to use those ruby slippers before she grows out of them), with her little brother as the scarecrow or lion (how cute is that?).

But, as things usually go with kids, Dorothy it wasn’t to be, because she saw a Jessie (Toy Story) costume at the mall and insisted that was “it“. It wasn’t cheap, but hey, it had the real red hat. We picked a “Thomas the Tank Engine” costume for little bro, and he seemed genuinely thrilled as he’s obsessed with Thomas at the moment.

I was hoping this year to pull a “Martha” and do something unique, creative and homemade, but as my kids opted for the pre-packed “Genuine Disney” article from the mall, I’ll have to save that for next year. But just in case you’re interested, I’ll post some of the cutest DIY ideas I found in the next.

[tags]Haloween,kids,halloween costumes,toy story,costumes[/tags]

Every evening after the children have gone to bed, I like to brew myself a nice soothing cup of tea - honey vanilla chamomile to be precise. Not only is it a delicious de-stresser after a hectic (meaning ordinary) day with my two rugrats, but inspirational too as I was about to discover.

While I waited for the tea to steep, I mindlessly looked at the tea’s packaging, and to my surprise found a lovely inspirational tidbit which actually made my throat rather lumpy. And more importantly offered some very good advice.

Ok, I plea guilty to being a sentimentalist. But I am a Mother, and as all you Moms out there know, anything that even slightly tugs at your heart’s overwhelming love for your children (yes, even the sappiest TV commercials) will get those Mom-emotions going - which should lead you straight to hugging your kids very tightly indeed. Just as I did.

Here it is:

If I Had My Child To Raise Over Again

“If I had my child to raise all over again, I’d fingerpaint more and point the finger less.

I’d do less correcting, and more connecting.

I’d take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.

I would care to know less, and know to care more.

I’d take more hikes and fly more kites.

I’d stop playing serious, and seriously play.

I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.

I’d do more hugging, and less tugging.

I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.

I’d build self-esteem first, and the house later.

I’d teach less about the love of power
And more about the power of love”

Diane Loomans, From Full Esteem Ahead