October 31st, 2010.
October 31st, 2011.
Same costumes. Same little girls. And yet - they're changed too.
A year makes QUITE a difference. Especially when you spend it traveling the country in an RV.
I know I've been a little quiet about our experience. It's not a secret. There's just so much spinning in this mind of mine. I'm not the kind of person who processes things right away so it's hard for me to say "Here are 5 lessons we learned" or "Let me scrunch our entire year into 2 sentences."
Little bits will leak out eventually. Just not all at once.
P.S. I know it's not traditional to re-use costumes, but the girls didn't mind a bit (and they charmed everyone just the same). I'm slowly learning that "new" isn't always better. There's a certain peace that comes with being able to peek in our own closets and our own backyard...and to discover that what we already have is more than enough.
Test #2 for new configuration (21?)
I know exactly what you mean. We've recycled many a Halloween costume 'round these parts. No good reason not to, IMHO. I say take advantage of as many cost cutting corners as you can, especially while the girls are still so small. Little ones have a habit of getting more and more expensive as they grow!
Your girls are just lovely - like their mama!
I love that you used the same costumes. You can really see the changes from last year! They are absolutely gorgeous.
Amen on re-using costumes! We have never bought a costume for Nicholas (he's been alive for 3 Halloweens). I'm lucky that my cousins also have younger kids and my aunts are crafty, so we make and re-use costumes for our kids.
I am so excited to read about the "little bits" of your adventure. I was surprised when I read that you were back in Tucson because I thought you really wanted to move, but I am so happy that you are settling in so well. My husband and I have been kicking around a big move for quite some time as well, so I am interested in reading about your thought process in deciding to return to Tucson.
you said a mouthful
oh I am sure it is more common than you think! My mother had us re-use costumes throughout our childhood. It is fun to look back at pictures of each of us in the costumes :)
So cute...and so true about having enough....( I think I need that perspective right now!!).
So. Are you back home now???
I am eager to hear how you process everything.
And the girls are absolutely adorable. When I was a kid, I wore the same Casper the Ghost costume for 3 years in a row! I loved that thing. :-) Definitely a great idea to reuse Halloween costumes.
Yes. Back home. We're settling in beautifully. I'll write more on that topic soon. [I'm sort-of still in recovery mode]. ;)
They look beautiful...then and now! And, yes, yes, yes! What we already have is definitely more than enough!!
I love your last line - what we already have is more than enough. So true!
You have such beautiful girls!! At our house around 5pm on Monday night my four girls set out to "make" costumes for going to visit my parents and a small handful of other friends out of dress up supplies we keep on hand. We ended up with a waitress, a cowgirl, a clown, and Punky Brewster!! I thought the outfits they created were adorable.
What creative girls you have! They must get that from their mama! ;)
I'm totally up for re-using if they still fit! Older son went as a knight again and could possibly get away with it next year too. Brother wore the hand-me-down from 3 years ago! :)
They look cute in their outfits. We worry too much about what other people think. I went to my neighbor's annual Halloween party in the same pirate outfit I wore three years prior. Nobody recognized me (because of my wig) and not one person acted like it was a repeat outfit.
Your girls are adorable!
I read this quote right before reading your post so I think I was meant to share it with you :)
"You have succeeded in life when all you really want is only what you really need.” - Vernon Howard
I hope you are feeling well. Have a wonderful day!
Your girls look great, and so happy! That's what counts.
My little one wanted to be the same thing for Halloween as last year. The costume still fit him, so we had a repeat too.
Lovely pics! I love that the costumes still fit them and you could reuse them. I get so sad when I have to pack up my baby's clothing, not just bc they still have so much use left, but because I feel like I am packing away memories! I would be delighted to be able to reach back into the closet for the same items a year later!!
Can't wait for those little bits and pieces of your journey to leak out!! :)
I'm learning that what I have is more than enough too especially when compared with the people around me who have so much less. I feel the American consumer culture slowly easing away. I still want to be able to relate, and not judge, but also live contently here in South Africa with more contentment and less stuff. I think its lovely that your children wore the same costumes two years in a row. They are blessed to have costumes to play dress up. And you are teaching them that more stuff is not always better.
Beautiful pictures!