Let the trick or treating begin!

Well, in order to trick or treat one must have a costume, right?  When thinking about costumes for the girls this year I thought maybe Layla could wear the Dorothy (from Wizard of Oz) costume that Evie wore when she was about Layla's age.  I like the costume because it's just a dress without any "scratchy" material, you can easily put clothes under it if the weather is cold, and it has a Toto dog with it, which is a nice distraction for the little one.  Then I thought it would be cute if Evie was Glinda the Good Witch.  She could just wear her ballet leotard and I could make a big poofy pink tutu for the bottom.  I just ordered Glinda's crown and wand...and we were set with costumes.....(or so I thought)..ha!

Often other mom's of kids Evie's age would ask me what she was being for Halloween, then they proceeded to say, "My daughter wants to be _____."  At first I felt okay with the fact I had chosen the girl's costumes again and Evie never really expressed a desire to be a particular costume.  Well....that is until one day we went to Marshall's and right there at the front entrance was a huge rack full of costumes.  Evie eyed a bumble bee costume and immediately said, "Mommy I want to be a bumble bee for Halloween."  Ugh!!!  The guilt set in that I had chosen her costume, while her friends were all getting to pick their own.  (Yes, I know mommy will need to learn to NOT cave to peer pressure).  But I decided since it was Marshall's and costume was under $20 (versus $40 plus) at another store I would let her have the costume.  And of course there was an adorable ladybug costume too.......perfect for Layla:)

We also had several opportunities for wearing costumes (e.g., trick or treating at the library, our neighborhood party, party at cousin Jake's, costumes at ballet, and actual Halloween), so I figured the girls could wear both costumes!

They love returned their books in the book drop :)

Waiting for story time to begin.  And why is there only a picture of the bumble bee and not the little lady bug.....probably because the lady bug was crying, repeatedly saying, "off mommy" "off mommy" and taking her costume off herself!  Safe to say she wasn't a fan of her costume!  Apparently she was taking on the persona of the wonderful Eric Carle book, The Very Grouchy Ladybug!

After story time the kids get to trick or treat in the library.....so with a little distraction (aka getting smarties in her trick or treat bag) the lady bug was re-costumed for a short time!

yeah...not a fan of the antenna's for sure....that's pushing it mom!!!!

...but she likes to look at her sister's and thinks they are funny!

When the weather is nice we go across the street to this little park and have a picnic lunch.  It is one of our favorite things to do!

They have a little deck where the kids can look at the fish and turtles in the water!

Oh why hello!!!  Costume-free and much happier!

Okay so I had to include this photo too!  Fall is just too gorgeous here in Atlanta.  I love it!  Puts a smile on face every time I drive down the street and see all the beautiful colors!