Local Paper Feature, Halloween, Birthday and Good Times

This past week has been a busy one!  First off, Joshie turned 4 and we had a nice family party for him.  My mom made him this cake to match his knight costume.



Hurricane Sandy blew her way through the North East and Monday night was a bit scary so we kept Joshie at home the next day until the winds were calmer.  I had saved some birthday presents so we could play "find your present".  Ever since Joshie was little, we played the Find the Heart game.   He loved searching for the presents almost as much as the presents themselves.  His favourite was Uno.  Check out that smile! 

I made caramel apples

Joshie wore his knight costume to school and wore it under his jacket for Trick or Treating.  He told me that next year he wants to be a Power Ranger like all the other kids.  Sigh... I guess that's the end of Halloween sewing for me. 

Last but not least, when I opened up my local community paper, our Scary Well inspired by the movie "The Ring" was featured.   Hubby was really excited and so was I!!

Looking forward to next week!

DIY: Police Officer Costume (Last minute!)

Since Josh is 2 years older than Baby Bunny, it gives us time to either 1) decide to make a new costume or 2) re-use the old one.  Of course we are going to re-use the old one!

This year Baby Bunny is going out as Office Bunny!  Here he is in the costume.

Here's what you need to make your own:
1.  Long sleeve white t-shirt
2.  Short sleeve black t shirt
3.  Dark pants (preferably with a red stripe since that's what Toronto officers wear)
4.  Old belt
5.  A police officer badge/gun/baton from the Dollarama ($2 at most)
6.  Mailing label to print your officer's name.

This costume was easy because the only thing we had to buy was the badge/gun/baton combo.  Everything else was already in the closet.

To make the police vest, just cut off the sleeves of the t-shirt and make sure that you cut so that the serged end remains on the t-shirt.  Use the left over sleeves to make the epaulets.   If you don't have a plain black shirt, use an old shirt and turn it inside out like we did.

For the police belt, cut it to fit your little one and use velcro strips to make the "belts" to connect the baton and handcuffs

Use duct tape and some recycled cardboard to make the holster for the gun.

Glue the badge to the front of the shirt.  Try it on and you are done!

Over here, we are getting a ton of rain due to Hurricane Sandy and maybe the possibility of snow!   Our DIY Scary Well from the movie "The Ring" is in danger of blowing away.  This is what it's looking like outside today.

For those of you on the Eastern part of the US and Canada, stay safe and stay inside.

DIY: Scary Well from the Movie "The Ring"

Today I am sharing with you how we decorated the well in front of our house.  Actually, to be more specific, how HUBBY decorated our well for Halloween.  If you've seen the movie "the Ring" and were scared for weeks afterwards, you will appreciate this post!

Warning * - as this is hubby's work not mine, it's much more creepy vs cutesy.  I think it's even spookier because we don't have any cutesy pumpkins or things like that. 

 
I remember when I saw the movie in the theatre with my good pal A.  She left to use the washroom during one of the scariest parts of the movie.  When we went to see it, there were only 5 people in the theatre so I was suitably freaked out.

Here's the view that always makes me think there's a kid on my lawn. 

I think that the back is scarier than the front.  The side view is spooky too

The kids don't seem to mind our new visitor

Here's what you need:
1.  Long black wig
2.  Floral foam
3.  Batman Halloween bucket (we used it last year for trick or treating)
4.  Two hands (ours were from the Dollarama so both are lefties)
5.  Night dress and long sleeve shirt (ours was from the Salvation Army)
6.  Lots of plastic bags

How to make it:
1.  Gather your supplies
2.  Bring children with you to help build it so they aren't scared
3.  Cover Batman's mask with white masking tape so that the face is all one colour
4.  Attach the wig to the floral foam with a nail and place the hair in the Batman bucket
5.  Stuff the dress/long sleeve shirt with plastic bags and place in the well.
6.  Use the soil to help weigh it down so it doesn't fly away
7.  Insert hands into the shirt sleeves
8.  Position the head so that it is facing the street.  Voila, you are done!

So far we have not had any complaints, just a lot of compliments.   Personally, I will be happy when Halloween is over so I can get my flower well back.

Happy decorating!