As an anticipator, I’m already strategizing about Halloween for the little ones and I kind of think it would be epic to do a major balloon garland…but still debating on whether it’s worth the hassle of carrying all of those balloons to a Duane Reade to have them filled with helium and then strolled back through the UWS. (#NewYorkProblems.) I knew immediately, however, that mini would either go as Cinderella or Woody from Toy Story as she loves both movies something fierce and spends a good portion of her days talking about them. (I gave her this Cinderella set as a surprise on the car ride down to D.C. last month and she plays with it daily — and this Woody doll was a fantastic gift from her aunt and uncle and has proved a long-term, well-loved fixture in our home. So much so that we had Hill “give” her this gift when she visited him in the hospital. And P.S. — highly convenient that nighttime pullups currently come in Toy Story and Cinderella designs, especially because she can be resistant to wearing them at night, asking for underwear instead. But we’re not there yet. We’ve had enough changing-of-the-sheets during test runs at naptime…but I digress.)
I decided to go with this Cinderella costume, which I anticipate will get tons of use during playtime afterward, and this accessory set. I might also need to surprise her with her own Gus Gus. She already owns a pair of dress-up shoes with the Little Mermaid on them that she calls her “glass slippers” but I’m already trying to mentally prepare for how I can avoid her wearing them out of the house on Halloween, as she always trips and stumbles in them. Anyway, a couple of other costumes I considered:
THIS MERMAID WRAP COSTUME IS BEYOND
THIS FLAMINGO CAPE DRESS IS PERFECTION
So precious. At the end of the day, though, I know she will FLIP with excitement dressing up as her favorite character, so that was that.
I had intended to dress micro in mini’s hand-me-down giraffe costume, which was ABSOLUTELY adorable on her, but Mr. Magpie scoffed in disgust: “He needs his own costume!!!” Spoken like a true only child — ha! So we strategized for a minute and decided it would be SO cute to have him dressed up as a pumpkin to accompany mini. A lot of the pumpkin costumes I found had weird jack-o-lantern faces embroidered on the front, but I finally found this one, which seems to be the winner. (Note the bad reviews relate to the fact that this costume fits a size 6-12 mo, not a newborn, FYI.)
Mini dressed up as a bee last year (and I went as her beekeeper) and OMG. Her costume was amazing. So beautifully made and so freaking adorable. I had seen a girlfriend dress her daughter in a similarly textured lamb costume a few years back and sought out the same look. Absolutely adorable.
A couple of other favorite Halloween buys:
THESE MONOGRAMMED HALLOWEEN TREAT BAGS*
THESE HALLOWEEN JAMS (MINI HAD THE BATS LAST YEAR)
THESE LESS EXPENSIVE JACK-O-LANTERN JAMS (ALSO DARLING) — OR THESE FROM KISSY KISSY
WE DECORATED THE DINING ROOM WITH THESE BATS ALL OVER THE WALL LAST YEAR — MINI LOVED IT
GINGHAM FLOAT DRESS (OR THIS ONE) FOR MINI’S DAYTIME LOOK
EMBROIDERED PUMPKIN KNEE SOCKS
THIS SMOCKED PUMPKIN DRESS, WHICH MINI WORE ON HER FIRST HALLOWEEN
*Note that they are shown on the site in a hideous curlicue font but have a bunch of more traditional monogram lettering options. I picked the scalloped monogram with the pumpkin topper. It turned out so cute! Bonus that it folds flat for easy storage.
**Have I raved about these sets from Little English yet? Micro has already outgrown his 3-6 month sized one and I’m debating on which one to get him in the size up. They are super soft cotton, hold up beautifully in the wash, and I love the trim and collar details. A great option for cooler days, too, when you went to bundle him/her in bunting on top, as it is easy to layer. (You can get the look for a little less with this.)
P.S. Getting increasingly excited about decorating micro’s nursery. One consideration I need to contend with: we intend to eventually move mini and micro into the same bedroom, once sleep cycles are more synchronized, and I want to be forward thinking about what I buy so that the furniture isn’t a mish-mash down the road. Will need to put some thought into that…
P.P.S. Who’s in your personal canon?
P.P.P.S. Regrets and musings on living in New York for two years.
Love the treat bag with the pumpkin scalloped monogram! What color bag did you do?
I did a balloon garland for my daughter’s first birthday and loved it so much that I’m doing another for a baby shower in a few weeks. You actually don’t fill them with helium and I had no trouble blowing them all up myself. The kits come with a strip that you attach the balloons to and that’s what keeps them upright. Go for it!
AHH! Thank you for letting me know this critical piece of information! #rookiemom. Definitely going to order the balloon garland then! Mini would DIE.
For the treat bag — I did the black handle and then did her initials in the scalloped monogram in orange, with the pumpkin topper.
xx
I am also an anticipator and I *love* all of these Halloween ideas for little ones! It sounds like you have a good balance of wanting to make Mini’s wishes come true while also being practical and ensuring that you can re-use the costume … ideal, in my book! Also love the “daytime” outfit suggestions. I love a traditional smocked dress.
xx