Return from Oz

Both girls closeup, originally uploaded by RusticOkie.

We're not in Kansas anymore (although I can almost see it from here) and we've escaped from Oz as well. I have to say I was beyond ready for these costumes to be finished and this chapter of our lives behind us but after seeing the girls all dressed up it was so worth it.

Things I've learned about the Wizard of Oz that I didn't know before this past week...

1. Dorothy wears blue socks not white ones.

2. A 3 year old can learn every line to this movie and will narrate the movie for you after the 50th time you watch it.

3. The flying monkeys aren't any less creepy than when you were a kid.

4. After watching the movie nine million times you sort of wish someone would drop a house on Dorothy.


Needless to say I've since hidden the dvd hoping it will be a long while before it sees the light of day. But seeing my little Dorothy get so excited to wear her costume and looking so darn cute helped to ease the eye twitching.

Okay so I know that isn't exactly Toto's twin but it was close and available. Besides she refused to carry it with her anyway since "that's where the candy goes mama". Yeah she knew exactly what she was doing.

And she got LOTS of candy. But wouldn't you give her a bunch too? I would.

And of course Dorothy wouldn't be complete without her ruby slippers. The shoes are what sealed the deal on the costume for sure. And they're going to serve double duty by becoming her Christmas shoes too. Score. But Dorothy couldn't just travel down the yellow brick road alone now could she...

This must have been after the Wizard gave her some courage. Look at that cranky face. No one is going to be messing with this lion! I swear she really did like the costume though. Honest she did.

And I have to say I was pretty dang proud of it myself. These costumes about sent me to the looney bin, especially this Lion. I don't think I'll be using any more McCalls patterns for a while. That's what the lion was. The Dorothy dress was pieced off a pattern and adapted because I have a ridiculous inability to follow the written directions anyway. I love the lion's mane. The pattern called to cover the entire head and under the chin as well but knowing my daughter I knew she'd simply eat it so I went with a simplified version. And she only pulled one ribbon off the entire night so I call it a success.

We had a great time trick-or-treating and I didn't take one single picture. Oh well. Since some of the area decided to do theirs on Saturday (which is when we went) Kinsley got to go trick or treating and then hand out candy from her Nana's house on Sunday. She was thrilled. We couldn't have asked for better weather for Halloween weekend. Sunday was so nice we spent the entire afternoon outside and picked up lots of acorns. There will be more on that later this week.

And now since the birthday party and Halloween are over I now return you to your regularly scheduled blog postings. I have lots and lots to share.