Johnny Come Lately

This is Aidyn.

He is my pride and joy (well, one of them, but he's where this story begins). His birthday is in exactly one week, on September 23. And so begins our story . . .

Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays. In 2005, I was pregnant with Aidyn and my due date was actually the end of October. I wanted to explore the idea of a family theme for our costumes now that we'd have a new baby, but I didn't even know what size costume to plan for myself!

As often happens with first babies, Aidyn came early . . . exceptionally early . . . with no other explanation than the full moon. Mysterious? Yes. Spooky? Maybe. And even though we were thrown into a tailspin for a little bit with a wee one who had come earlier than expected (who was fit as a fiddle for a preemie by the way), I didn't abandon the thought of the family theme for costumes. We've been doing them ever since and closely guarding the theme each year for a big reveal to friends and family.

Now that I have a birthday party to plan in late September each year, I don't get Halloween decorations up as early as I did pre-Aidyn. And I feel like a Johnny come lately with Halloween. But, posts about Halloween decorations will come soon enough, so prepare yourself!

I thought I could get the season started with a retrospective on the Walkush family costumes we've done since 2005.

2005: SuperFamily (Clark Kent, Lois Lane, SuperBaby, Krypto 1 & 2)

Complete with Daily Planet press passes for Lois and Clark

2006: "Star Walkush" (Han Solo, Princess Leia, Yoda, Darth Vader, Chewbacca, and a reluctant R2D2)

2007: Elvis Family (Jailhouse Rock, Vegas Elvis, '68 Comeback Special, 50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong, and Karate Elvis)

2008: Pirate Family (Note the newest addition to the family in these photos - baby Jaxon, who is almost 3 months old in these photos.)

And the kids' ride that Halloween was made from two pieces of cardboard, a dowel, a piece of posterboard, four rubberbands, some black construction paper, and poster paints. I tied the cardboard through the slats of the wagon with yarn and duct taped the dowel to the front of the wagon for the night. It worked perfectly as transportation for them and their goodies:

2009: Superheroes vs. Villains (Wolverine, Wonderwoman, Spiderman, Captain America, Batman vs. Poison Ivy and Cat Woman/Sister Misty and Niece Charlotte)

2010: Movie Monsters (Wolf Man, The Mummy, Dracula, Frankenstein)

2011: Scooby Doo (Freddie, Daphne, Shaggy, Scooby, Lizard Monster)

Like run, Scoob!

2005-2011: Have fun with your photos and include everybody (even the fluffies)!

2012: Back to the Eighties
2013: You Are What You Eat!
2014: Shine Bright Like a (MineCraft) Diamond
2015: Bad Boys, Bad Boys, Whatcha Gonna Do When They Come for You?
2016: I Need a Hero
2017: Mischief Managed

Linking to The Mom Creative Annual Halloween Costume Link-Up.