As a mom nowadays (always?), we are always put up to various societal pressures.  A lot of those pressures are things we put on ourselves.  And I try really hard not to buy into all of it, because truly, I think we are all just doing the best we can!  My motto is that I don’t judge anyone else’s parenting decisions because I have been there in the desperate moments when you just find something that works!  More on all of that later I’m sure- but if your 3 year old still loves his/her pacifier and is wearing diapers, more power to you! 🙂

However, there is one huge area where I really do wish I was a little different.  I REALLY wish, most days, that I was one of those moms. Those moms that are really creative with their hands, can pick up a piece of fabric and make a dress, or transform a box into a space ship, or has a purse bursting with crafts and pinterest projects.  While I admit it would make my instagram prettier, that is not why I wish I was one of those moms! I just think having that artistic creative touch in that way would be SO much fun for my kids- and I have NONE of it.  Visual creativity? Absolutely. Musical creativity? You bet.  But I cannot seem to make things well with my hands.  And Halloween is one of those times that I wish more than ever I could!  I just LOVE the idea of the mom-made costumes, pre-planned, and all crafted by me. It feels like such a special and fun thing to give your kid!  But I just am not gifted in that way! I DID make E1’s costume last year and while it looked NOTHING like the firetruck it was supposed to, he adored his red box with paper wheels and it was ok!  But even that took way more time than I think I typically have- so this year, I went back to buying things.

That being said…I have to admit, I think I was rather creative in what we did!  I had an adorable (handmade from one of my best friend’s mother’s!) tutu from E2s birthday…so I knew I wanted her to be a ballerina! It was just perfect- add a ballerina PJ top, a pink bow, and tights, and my still non-walker made an adorable (immobile!) little dancer.  But I also love the idea of coordinating costumes (just you WAIT until we can rock the wizard of oz group–E2 and I will have to fight over who is Dorothy!!)!  So after chatting with lots of friends about how to make E1 coordinate, one friend gave me an idea that was SO perfect…a music conductor! The conductor to her dance.  And I was hooked!  Music is such a HUGE part of out lives, and E1 is completely obsessed with it (he definitely got that gene)…and who doesn’t want to put their 3 year old in a cute tux?! We found a cheap one on amazon, put it on him with his cowboy boots (what else?!), gave him my first baton from college, and he was PERFECT.  He actually got into trick-o-treating this year for the first time, and we loved it, rain and all.

But my favorite part is that he didn’t seem to think it was ok for E2 to be stationary as a ballet dancer…so for the first real time on Halloween, he began walking her.  Dancing her.  Holding her hands, supporting her, and helping her move.  It stole my heart…I just know these two are going to be buddies, you guys, and it is the best thing ever to watch!   So, from our little music conductor and ballerina, we hope you had a great holiday weekend, have tummies sore from too much candy in this week that has followed, and have someone to support you when you need a little help remembering to dance!