Soldier Boys

October 31, 2013- The River Boys decided on military costumes for Halloween.  Actually, it's what Pecos decided he wanted to be, largely due to his recent interest in World War II, specifically the Pacific portion of it.  There was also a boy from our church and school, Jacob Krebs, who had a large impact on Pecos.  So Pecos wanted his soldier costume to be a Navy Seal- the same that Jacob liked and was training for.  

After a recent visit to the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg along with a viewing of their live combat re-enactment, Brazos was on board with the costume selection.  That kid loves a little military combat.  He specifically asked for a machine gun.  

And shot at things in this position whenever possible.  

He also did some marching and yelled "Fall Out, Boys!" for most of the evening.

Pecos fired back.

Then it was on to the community fall festival.  Brazos loved this game- a hammer and a bell- what's not to love.

The dunk tank was Pecos' favorite.  The poor kid on the dunk seat got wet more than a few times thanks to Pecos.

We finished up with a hay ride.

Then we moved on to a little trick or treating.  This is how we do it in Harper- load up our ATV and head down Charolet street to hit up our friends and teachers for the good candy!

Hope your Halloween was a good one.

5-1-5-0 somebody call the po-po

October 31, 2012- Pecos picked out the costumes this year.

They had fun playing games at the community Fall Festival.

This is why he's a jailbird...he tried to run off with Steele's tractor!

Then we did some trick or treating.

What's a holiday around here without craft time?

Brazos' class had dress up day at mother's day out and he went as himself Cowboy Small.

Olé ~ Halloween 2010

October 31, 2010- It was another fun year and cute costume for Halloween this year.  Pecos was a Matador with Brazos standing in as Ferdinand the Bull. 

This idea all started sometime this summer when Pecos got the Ferdinand children's book.  We read that book over and over at bedtime for many, many nights.  Which started a conversation about bull fighters and how the Matador was different from the bull fighters in the PBR and the rodeo.  And somehow that led to the idea that Pecos would be a Matador for Halloween and Brazos would be Ferdinand.

So the search began for a matador costume.  I found a vintage pattern on-line but I held off on buying it because I knew it would be so much work to make a 5-slim out of a size 10 pattern. Apparently PETA has pushed their agenda onto the Halloween scene and a Matador is neither popular nor available as a kid's costume.   So it was back to the internet to purchase the pattern I had seen previously; no such luck because of course it was already sold.

I did more searching, figured out ways to create one out of regular clothes and accessories, and then I hit the jackpot.  This costume was in an on-line estate sale listing complete with the shoes, hat and cape.  Who has this kind of thing in their estate? I guess we do now!  It was not in the best condition and needed quite a bit of alterations and repairs, but it was worth it because Pecos was the best little Matador with Brazos as a rather cute Ferdinand Harper has ever seen.

And of course he had to mimic the pose of a true Matador.

Brazos' costume was not easy to come by either.  When it comes to bovine costumes the only thing available is a Holstein cow.  And because it was a polyester blend I wasn't able to dye it.  So I spray painted it instead.  He wore it long enough to take the photo and make a public appearance at the Fall Festival but I didn't want to overdo it with the paint fumes or let his bare arms get too cold.  He switched to more comfortable attire for trick or treating.

We missed the official costume contest at the Harper Fall Festival but I think Pecos was the crowd favorite; he and Brazos were our favorites!

 

pumpkin carving

October 28, 2010- What do you do with your pumpkin from the pumpkin patch?  Carve it, of course!  Pecos was so very excited at the chance to carve the pumpkin from his class field trip to the pumpkin patch in Medina. 

First, remove the "yucky stuff".

Next, let your little brother help remove all that yucky stuff while you point out where you want the eyes to be.

Then let daddy and Brazos do the carving.

Show off the amazing creation.

Finally, put it in your room to make a cool new night light.

halloween derby

October 31, 2009- And they're off in the running of the Halloween derby! Well, not exactly, but that's what our little jockey thought. He's been anxiously awaiting the day he could wear this costume ever since the stick horse races on the 4th of July.

Pecos hit up the community Fall Festival to celebrate Halloween. He had a great time with this little bull fighter- his best buddy, Jace.After the event we hit up a few houses for trick or treating but Pecos started to feel bad- he's getting the crud I've had for the past week so I guess it is off to see the doctor on Monday. We ended the night early and put our tired little jockey to bed. Happy Halloween!!

the Halloween scene

October 31st, 2008- Pecos had a great time attending the Harper community fall festival. There were lots of cowboy and cowgirl costumes but Pecos was the only bull rider in attendance. This little Ty Murray was a crowd favorite and by the end of the night he realized that if he held out his plastic pumpkin bucket someone was likely to drop a sucker or candy into it and he thought that was pretty cool! Hope you had a Happy Halloween!!!