Trick or Treat!

For months, Lola and Locke had known what they wanted to be for Halloween this year. It amazes me that 3-year-olds can make a decision and remain committed to that decision throughout a process like that. Even after several trips to Target and other places that sell costumes, they still stuck with their choices. If only I could be so decisive.

Locke has a profound interest in tornados. Ever since one grazed our neighborhood early this year, he's talked about tornadoes, drawn tornadoes, suggested that every tree with a broken branch had been damaged by a tornado, and, for Halloween, wanted to BE a tornado. Done.

Lola's choice emerged as more of an impulse than a psychological catharsis. A few months ago, we started noticing patches in the yard where some creature had been digging. Early one morning we caught sight of a big raccoon digging and scrounging for a breakfast of seeds and insects before lumbering up a tree. Ever since that morning, Lola had wanted to be a raccoon for Halloween.

We didn't think about the repercussions of these decisions at the time but, after we noticed a dearth in the costume market of raccoon and (not surprisingly) tornado costumes, we realized we had our work cut out for us.

Several trips to fabric stores and Target later, and the costumes began to come to life. Lola was the cutest raccoon I've ever seen (and yes, I've seen a few really adorable raccoons), and Locke really owned his costume. He would happily do a spin for the people handing out candy before thanking them and departing for the next house.

Here are a few peeks at our little cuties in the final products.