halloween 2007

I am a procrastinator. I'm married to Dan, and he's one too. Whether putting things off until the last minute is encoded in our DNA or is a learned behavior, our kids have the deck stacked against them. So it was not shocking to me that I'd be scouring the aisles of the local party store at 4pm on Halloween, searching for costume components for all 3 of our boys. They have now realized that just having an idea for an outfit is no longer enough.

I can't lay the blame completely on them, though, because not only have I modeled the procrastination trait, but for the majority of their lives, I've also shopped for and constructed their costumes (usually missing several hours of crucial sleep time the night before the big day). All they've been responsible for in the past was coming up with what they wanted to "be".

I will say that I am thankful that Halloween is one holiday for which preparation has actually gotten easier as the kids have grown. I haven't had to sew, cut, or glue pieces of felt or ribbon for a couple of years now; the days of the homemade cow, burrito, Pooh and Piglet costumes have passed. I mourn the loss of pink toddler cheeks peeking out of these creations made with love, but I rejoice in the creativity and humor of my teenagers. And I do it with bright eyes and bushy tail, because I got a good night's sleep on October 30th.

I submit for your enjoyment: Nick as Ron Burgundy ("Anchorman"), Andy portraying a Mexican cowboy, Bronco player Cris, pop-star Brooklyn, and our Packer-friend Adam. Happy Halloween.