The Force is Strong This Halloween

I suppose it has become a tradition each Halloween to pick a theme and do a Halloween photo shoot. As the kids get older, the actual photo shoot itself is becoming easier and easier.

"Help me, Obi-wan Kenobi. You're my only hope."

This year Adam is Darth Vader, Colin is Luke Skywalker (complete with flowing locks of blonde hair), and Claire is Princess Leia. She even let me do her hair in buns this morning.

I'm going as Padme/Queen Amidala dressed as a handmaid, and although Shannon doesn't know it yet, we're having an intervention and he's going to be Obi-Wan. Sometimes you don't get to opt out of Halloween, and Shannon has been trying now for 16 years.


But as happy as these pictures will show, I will admit that it took them an hour to get ready. Claire did not feel the Princess Leia matched with her idea of what she should be wearing for Halloween (mostly because the clothes touched her, the neck was too high, there were no sparkles and flat out, just NO.)

But we have had some discussions this week about her reluctancy to get dressed, me having the same "flavor" of sensory processing disorder she does, I felt I needed to step up and tell her she's not alone. We've worked on some techniques to get through every. single. morning wearing clothes, so we practiced breathing, running around and distracting. In the end with her hair, I simply begged and bribed with a lollipop. She accepted. In the end I think she really liked it, the whole outfit from head-to-toe, and got into character really quickly.

We sprayed extra glitter in her hair and on her dress, which you really can't see very well, but it sealed the look. She is not overly princess-y in general, and I think being able to wield a weapon helped her get into character.

But as happy as these pictures are, I will admit that it took them an hour to get ready. Claire did not feel the Princess Leia matched with her idea of what she should be wearing for Halloween (mostly because the clothes touched her, the neck was too high, there were no sparkles and flat out, just NO.)

But we have had some discussions this week about her reluctancy to get dressed, me having the same "flavor" of sensory processing disorder she does, I felt I needed to step up and tell her she's not alone. We've worked on some techniques to get through every. single. morning wearing clothes, so we practiced breathing, running around and distracting. In the end with her hair, I simply begged and bribed with a lollipop. She accepted. In the end I think she really liked it, the whole outfit from head-to-toe, and got into character really quickly.

Of course, it may have helped that her shoes were Frozen themed and she had Elsa and Anna under her heels to make her extra "princessy."

But what would be better than having Princess Leia's twin brother Luke. I mean, talk about famous twins of the galaxy. Colin watched Claire scream over getting dressed and then had an ultimate panic attack about even touching his costume. This defiance I deftly overcame with the skills of a parent proud to pack green lollipops. I popped one in his mouth and he proceeded to allow me to torture him with pants. It was a piece of cake after that. (The force is strong with Mom, too. I should write a parenting book - wink, wink - written in sarcastic font).

(Of course he was only complete if I sprayed glitter in his hair too.) We (well, I), specifically planned to grow out his hair for the role of Luke, and if the boy wants glitter, the boy gets glitter. The number one accessory on his list though was the green light saber.

I'm not lying, I'm afraid he uses the Force a little too rambunctiously, but it's effective, so who am I to judge?

But Luke and Leia wouldn't be around if it weren't for Darth Vader (or "Dark" Vader, because even this 5 year old knows that "darth" isn't actually a word... DUH). Adam is the real Star Wars nut, and he chose Vader, so we rolled with it. On Halloween he actually even has a sound effect to make the garbled breathing sounds that make Vader so famous. Adam is quite pleased... except when he realized he couldn't use his professional modeling skills to exhibit pure terror. (But mom, you can't see my blue eyes!)

So we practiced looking mean just with our body, and I think he nailed that too...

All of the kids tell me that Halloween is their favorite holiday, even over Christmas. Mostly because of the dressing up... Colin would say the candy isn't so bad either... but I think they enjoy being in a little play. The parties, the pumpkin carving, the month-long of weekends at pumpkin patches, face painting and mazes... and as much as I wonder how long this fun will last, I really do think they enjoy going to the park and pretending to be new characters.

Luke and Leia

Don't worry, Luke. I'll take care of Pops.

"Is this Tatooine or Hoth? I think Solo took a wrong turn."

"I'm turning this thing on, be careful."

And of course, if you give 5 year olds and 3 year olds weapons, you have to allow them to use them. They were really good about not getting too out of control though. Only a few fingers were severed.


"Let the sparring begin."

But then, of course, Luke and Leia turned on each other...

Here I just want you to see Claire's composure as the boys mutilate each other in the background. (Again, message me for where to send all the parenting awards).

But mostly I let them go because they were laughing too hard to stop them or myself from capturing it.

 In all the enjoyed the hike, the play time, and nobody cried.

 So we had one last group picture...

"You cannot bring me to the dark side, Vader!!!"

Well, maybe two...

And I guess it was fun enough that Luke really didn't want to get back in the Millennium Falcon and go to lunch.

However, they were a big hit at McAlister's Deli and I found it extremely ironic when my 5 year old dressed like Vader walked my 3 year old "Luke" to the men's room, and even insisted on making sure he washed his hands. Maybe Vader could have been a good care-taker if he'd been given a different life. Or maybe he waved his hand in front of him and droned, "This is the sink you are looking for."

Okay, okay, that was cheesy. I'm done.

Cameron Park Zoo

On the way home from San Antonio we stopped in Austin for Kerbey Lane Cafe and then on to Waco to see the Cameron Park Zoo. Since it was a Monday, it was extremely uncrowded and we had the run of the place.

I took pictures of the kids but the animals were so friendly I ended up with more of those!

 

Boycotting the Zoo. I have to admit, it was REALLY HOT.

Are we done yet?