Late much? Yes! So sorry! But, here’s part two of Em’s Halloween costume.

Em wanted to go as a Pokémon Trainer! Lots and lots of searching proved that we needed to make her costume as they didn’t really exist in stores. And, around September/October, online only had adult sizing for pricey custom costumes.

We found black leggings, shorts, gloves and a gymnastics leotard at Target. We attached elastic purple and elastic silver ribbon to the pants and gloves using fabric adhesive tape. The shoes were a score from H&M. To create the stripe on each one, I added yellow felt. The hat was from Amazon, and I also added the yellow felt Poké Ball graphic to it. Her belt was her father’s running belt that holds his phone while he runs. With a little pinning, it was perfectly her size. To it, we glued a wooden Poké Ball that we crafted. Finding a yellow jacket was challenging. I ended up finding one at H&M. It was a lengthy zippered hoodie. My husband modified it to be shorter for her, and we added white washi tape for the stripe on each arm. The backpack was made from scratch. It took a couple of tries but it turned out pretty nice! We stuffed it with some cotton to give it a little bit of a 3D look. For her trick-or-treat bag, I spray painted one of those plastic jack-o-lantern trick-or-treat buckets to look like a Poké Ball.

Definitely the most effort we’ve put into a costume but she loved it! And so did the kids at her school [they do a little pre-trick-or-treating Halloween get together].

For Halloween this year, Em went a little more obscure in her costume choosing. So, up until the day she wore it, we were busy sewing and fabric taping her ensemble together. We learned a ton along the way! Can’t wait to share the pics with you.

Thank you veterans! To all those that have served in my family + friends circle and beyond. And to this guy – thank you, Paw Paw.

And a little life update – very recently, my family lost our matriarch. A very special lady and I’m still a little heartbroken. She had 93 good, happy + pretty darn healthy years. Though, I still wish it were more. There is just never enough time here on earth.

Last week, Em’s school had a few fun dress up days.

On the left, dress up like your favorite storybook character. It was a toss up until that very day between Pinkalicious and Emily Elizabeth from Clifford. I think her being able to take Clifford to school for show and tell won her over. We had most in her closet – added a few buttons to a hot pink cardigan. However, the pink and black striped knee highs were a challenge to find at the last minute. For reference, these adult arm warmers were perfect for her! We just sewed up the thumbs and cut out the extra fabric.

On the right, dress up like your chosen profession. A few days prior she decided on being a teacher. We pulled out the dress from her pre-k pictures, again tossed on a cardigan and popped out the lens to her sunglasses.

She had such fun deciding on what to be and seeing what all her friends chose!

Like many three, four, and five year olds… Em was the popular snow queen for halloween this year. There was a sea of blue that night. Elsas everywhere. So adorable.

Today, Kacey and I are celebrating eight years of marriage. Eight wonderful + happy years!

photos by Bray Danielle

Another year at the pumpkin patch. Can’t believe how fast October zoomed on by!

Today, this happened. Em started her big girl school. Going daily brings a new routine for both of us. She was very excited this morning though she got a little sad when it was time for us to go and her to stay. Ah, little girl. Four years in a blink and I have a feeling it’s only going to speed up.

Speaking of dancing, Em had her dance review yesterday! Pink, polka dots + tap dancing. Super cute.

Last year, we gave out goldfish to Em’s classmates at school. This year, Em had fun making Valentine’s cards for her friends. She’s a big fan of puffy stickers!