Halloween Costume Drama: What are your kids going as?

But I do love to shop! I bought a great costume. My 9-month-old daughter is going as a flower. Her body is the green stem, and the huge pink petals surround her face. I think she looks just like one of those Ann Geddes babies in it! We're going to get a little extra use out of it, since my parents are going away tomorrow, we're going over there tonight, and then my in-laws tomorrow. I'm also taking her on Monday to get some pictures taken, and I'm hoping to get a couple of shots in the costume there also.

Oh the costume drama!!! My 16 month old is suppose to be the world’s cutest bumble bee, outfit complete with yellow and black tutu and glitter wings. But we're having wardrobe issues. She'll let me put on what goes underneath the costume: black leggings, black hoodie, yellow socks, black Marry Jane shoes, even lets me put her hair in pig tails...no problems. But she refuses to let the costume come near her! She. Freaks. OUT! When we chose the costume in the shop a few weeks ago, she fussed the entire time no matter what costume she dangled in front of her. We figured she was just tired. The next day I tried to put the whole outfit together to make sure everything fit. (I should mention she's going to her cousin's birthday party tomorrow, not trick or treating, but it will be outdoors in a barn.) Everything went great...until it came time to put the costume on. I tried a few different times to get it on her, letting her run around in the black attire most of the evening. My husband commented, “Is she going as a bee or bank robber?” Fearing that she may be afraid of it, we let it hang out in the living room for a few days. We would twirl it around or put it on a baby doll. She loved it! Last night, we did another trial run through. Again, everything was just fine, until I started to put that thing over her head. She shrieked and cried and wiggled. I'll be honest; I wouldn't give up until I got it on her. And when all was said and done, she loved wearing it. She twirled all over the house as I sang, "bringing home a baby bumble bee wont my mommy be so proud of me." But my husband and I aren't thrilled about forcing her to wear an outfit...even one that cost us $35! Do we just let her go in her Halloween themed shirt or tough out the screaming knowing that she'll love wearing it once it's on?

I don't have kids (21 yo college student) so these are my costumes this year... Tonight I'm actually going as a pregnant lady. I got a ball that I'm wearing under a dress (and saran wrapping to my body so it stays in place) with leggings. I even have a mini doll in case I "happen" to go into labor. Tomorrow night I'm going as Kate Gosselin. I bought the wig, I'm wearing jeans, wedge sandals (she is a fan), a top, etc. I cut out magazine pictures of her, Jon, the kids and I'm trying to convince my Asian friend to be Jon (all he has to buy is an Ed Hardy tshirt!). Have a Happy Halloween everyone!

My kids are going to be Shaggy and Daphne from Scooby Doo. We have other family friends that are going to be Scooby and Velma. Should be cute.

Our toddler is going to be a fairy this year. We have the wings and skirt, and the rest is cobbled together from her closet and my makeup bag. I love homemade costumes...but I admit I'm not the best at putting them together. But whatever -- isn't the awkwardness and the creative process a part of the Halloween fun?! Wish us luck: for weeks now, she's been begging to wear her fairy wings and skirt around the house, and we've let her. So this morning, when we went to put on her fairy costume for school, she acts like we're putting her in a straitjacket. Hope she's still into being a fairy on Saturday night, because we definitely don't have a backup.

My 16 month old son is going as a mouse. I too feel a little guilty for the world of store-bought costumes that he'll have to endure thanks to my lack of craftiness, but this year my mom pulled out a mouse costume that I wore when I was two, one that SHE made all those years ago. It's still in good shape and it fits him great. He's never too sure about putting it on, but he's surprisingly content once he's in it. Can't always get good smiles when he's in it, but at least he's not screaming and trying to pull the ears off!

If it makes you feel any better Andrew is wearing the same costume he wore last year- Yoda and Gregory is the bear that Alex was last year!! Not much creativity in my house!!!...:)

I don't have kids, but this year I'm going as Punky Brewster...I have the hair for it, and it was pretty easy to find 80's-style clothes at American Apparel, H&M, and Strawberry. (That picture of Alex & the pumpkin is adorable, by the way!)

This year, my daughters are dressing up as a Pirate and a Devil. The costumes are basically a combination of much of what we already had from their dress up stuff. In third grade, my oldest was obsessed with pirates, so we have a plethora of garb and accessories. My little one is using an awesome cape that we also had in our dress up bag, along with accessories that my mom had in her collection. It'll be a fun weekend! My mom and I are actually going as Jon and Kate. Not real original, but it should be fun! I've got the wig and she's got the baseball cap, Hawaiian shirt, and bad attitude!

My 2 year old is going as a bumble bee! She loves it! It's the one from Gymboree that has a little yellow tutu with it! I bought it 2 months ago! lol I am going as the Queen Bee of course! I have fuzzy yellow and black leg warmers and I am wearing my crown from my wedding...hehe. This is also her 3rd Halloween...I'm not sure the 1st year counts since she was not even 2 months old (she wore a zip up Pumpkin sleeper-not so creative). And last year she was a turtle (from Children's Place) complete with a removable shell! She got sooooooo much attention in that one I would have had her wear it again if she were still wee sized! I will neeeeever make a costume! I sewed a sock monkey together once and it fell apart within 4 days....so more power to you moms out there that are good at that kind of stuff! Happy Halloween everyone...I guess we better carve that pumpkin today! lol Where did the time go??

a pirate (3-year-old) and a parrot (5 month old). I'm so super lucky to have a MIL who is an amazing sewer and will make costumes. You would not believe how cute my kids look.

Dear Erin, I am one of the folks that have faithfully read your magazine diaries and have gone through the rollercoaster of worries, distress, and happiness following your cancer diagnosis, your amazing courage in the face of the sickness, and your pregnancy journey. I am not a particularly "mushy" person, but my joy for you and your husband when your little boy was born felt as if something trully amazing happened in the life of somebody near and dear. Needless to say, I am wishing you and your growing family all the best and, especially, with your new pregnancy, which, I have to admit, I will not be following as going through another round of worries would be too much even for an observer that knows you only through your columns. But I do want to make one - not really a suggestion, but a request for consideration, - understanding that you want to have a big family and also that each new pregnancy subjects you to additional risk, why not think of adoption? It is a very personal choice, no doubt, but as a mom of both a biological and an adopted child, I find both experiences wonderful and can attest that both of my kids are equally mine, without any distinction between the one that came from my stomach and the one that first got into "the wrong stomach" and found his way into my arms. I do not know whether you have reservations about adoption, but, from your writings, see you as an open-minded person, so maybe this would be something you'd give consideration in the future? Best of luck and best wishes, Irina

Just read your article on cnn.com. Always read your entries with Glamour and happy to find out you and baby #2 are doing well. I think is it wonderful that you decided to get pregnant again. I went through a lot of fertility treatment to get my one and only and many people thought I should stop and be satisfied with my life. I am glad you had the courage to do what was right for you and your family. Good luck!

I just read your article on CNN.com. Congrats, and I think it's wonderful that you're having a second child. I have an older brother, and though we fought like cats and dogs as children, we're incredibly close now, and I can't imagine life without him. Best wishes to you and your family!