Halloween

One of the many perks of teaching in an elementary school is I get to dress up a lot.  Not suit dress up- costume dress up.  Today was "Book Character Day" so we had to dress like someone from a book.  This is, I believe, much easier for girls because there are just so many more famous kids book characters that are girls.

I didn't want to do Harry Potter or Gandalf, so I went classic literature and became Robin Hood:

(My fellow Math Lab People)

Now, that was my day costume.  I put it together myself from that arts and crafts foam rubber stuff and brads and a $4 t-shirt.

I also put a ton of work into a Batman costume that I would wear Halloween night when the family and I went out.  Here it is in action:

Now, the kids had homemade costumes courtesy of my Mom- Leslie was a cowgirl:

 And Kenna was a "sparkling pink princess" in her own words:

Kristin was also a cowgirl:

And here is our mostly random family Halloween:

This one was a popular Facebook pic, so I thought I'd share it here:

So, why does a grown man like to dress up as Robin Hood and Batman?

Because it's awesome!

And my kids love it.  I want my kids to not just know it is OK to have fun as a grown-up, I want them to see it lived out.  I've been called childish for my enjoyment of such things, but I feel I need these "silly" moments to remind that there is still a little innocence, a little clean fun to have in the world.  Having moments that remind of being a kid refresh me.

Our girls ran around the Harvest Festival we went to with giant smiles and tons of candy.  And they were there with both their parents who were enjoying it just as much.  That's the kind of family we are, and always want to be.