Homemade Skeleton Costume

I bought a pair of black sweats, some white felt, and double-sided iron on adhesive to create the costume.
My inspiration was this Pottery Barn skeleton costume, but the price tag was just too steep to justify for a single wear outfit.

So, I drew the bones on plain white paper to use as a pattern for my felt.  Then I cut out my felt and adhesive material based on that pattern.  Before starting the ironing I top stitched around each bone in black.  Tedious?  Yes.  But, worth it?  I think so.  It adds quite a bit of character and it's how the PB one is, anyway.

Then I just ironed on the bones in the appropriate places.  I would have sewed them on but you really can't get into sleeves and pant legs with a sewing machine.  Unfortunately, I ended up hand stitching the bones on after ironing them on because they kept falling off.  So sad.

Here's the finished project on my 5 year old, complete with glow-in-the-dark skeleton gloves that we found at the dollar store.

Musings

Credit for these plans goes to my best.husband.ever.

Today I got out the flannel bed sheets. I love Autumn.

This week I'm going to make these DIY- recycled crayon cupcakes with Lachlan.  I was just debating throwing out the broken old crayons and now I don't have to.

My friend, Natalie, got these amazing shelves built in her garage as a birthday gift.  I've been struggling with storage solutions so I asked my husband if he would build me some...and he said "yes".  I'm so, so, so excited!  He was out measuring for the shelves and cleaning the garage today and right now he's drawing up the plans.  That's what happens when you're married to an architect...garage shelves get their own plans (pictured above).

I know I already posted about it, but I'm so grateful that my little guy is finally walking.  We were able to get stuff done around the house today and he just toddled around entertaining himself for the most part.

I love this idea to make 10/10/10 memorable.  Tomorrow, with the help of my 4 year old, we're going to do 10 nice things.  My only regret is that I didn't find it sooner so I could spread the idea to more people.

In some places, it's rainy season right now, which reminds me I still need, okay want, yellow rain boots and  a yellow umbrella. Really, it's on my bucket list to own these items.  Someday...

This article inspires me to be active in my concern for others, but not to worry.

When I'm feeling especially stressed out, disoriented, nervous and generally out of sorts it helps me to see what needs to be done written down.  I think these organizers will be finding a place in my life very soon.  Have I mentioned that the organizational/storage tub aisle or the cleaning supply aisle at Target will also calm me down?

Just discovered this blog called the nesting place and I adore it.  Her '31 days to a less messy nest' project has some great ideas.

Last but not least, Anthony got a nearly perfect score on a midterm exam and Lachlan wanted to surprise him with cookies.  Actually, his first idea was for me to stay up all night baking cookies, so I suggested instead that I'd whip up the cookies while my boys were at the Kangaroo Zoo.  Even though I did all the work, I was impressed at his thoughtfulness.

Bipeds and Pedalers

On June 26, at Lachlan's gymnastics meet, Zane started taking his first steps.  He attempted to toddle back and forth between his dad and papa Kim.  It was adorable and I even got it on video.  We were optimistic that this meant we'd have a walker soon, but that was not the case.  Since then, we knew Zane at least had the ability to walk.  He would get up and walk for fun every now and then but to get around he we crawl or "walk" on his knees.  I guess that was more efficient.  Either way, on about September 17, at 17 months old, Zane decided it was time to join the bipeds and start walking.  

Here's Zane about 2 months ago...walking.

Lachlan's new development happened today.  At the beginning of the Summer, Anthony took Lachlan's training wheels and pedals off his bike.  He got the idea to do this when he saw a Skuut Balance Bike in one of his biking magazines.  The next best option to buying one was to turn Lach's current bike into a Skuut.  I have to say that it really worked too.  Lach was coasting down our driveway with both feet off the ground the same day the pedals came off.  Then, today, the pedals went back on and after very little coaching from dad, Lachlan was officially riding a big-boy bike.  It was such a proud moment for me, as a mom, to see how big my first baby is getting.

I asked Lach "how do you feel now that you can ride a bike?"  He answered "I feel great!"