Our Halloween Hues & How We Made It Magical (Even When I Lost My Costume Piece lol)

Okay, you guys, can we just talk about how fast this year flew by?! It feels like just yesterday we were planning summer trips, and now here we are, already past Halloween! Every year I swear I'm gonna be super organized and have all our family costumes planned out months in advance, but let's be real, life with three little girls (and a husband who's basically a fourth child sometimes, ily Tanner!) is just pure beautiful chaos. And honestly? This year's Halloween was probably one of my favorites, even with all the last-minute bits and bobs.

This was the first year, like ever, that I didn't actually organize a whole family costume theme. And ngl, a tiny part of me was like, 'Lo, you're slipping! What's happening?!' hahah. But then I saw the girls' faces light up when they got to pick exactly what they wanted, and I was like, okay, this is actually way better. It was less stress for me, and pure joy for them, which is really all that matters, right? Watching them express themselves and get so excited about their choices? Heaven on earth fr. It just reminded me that sometimes, letting go of control and just letting things flow is where the real magic happens. I h8 that I have to learn that lesson over and over again hahah, but it's true!

Ozzy's Fierce Black Cat & Stella's K-Pop Demon Hunters

Okay, so let's get into the costumes! Ozzy, my sweet, sassy middle girl, was *adamant* she wanted to be a black cat. And not just any black cat, a *fierce* black cat. She had the whole persona down, the little swishy tail, the pointy ears, the whole nine yards. It was so her, and she looked absolutely adorable. She was just owning it, and I loved that for her. She's got such a strong personality, and seeing her embrace it even in her costume choice just made my heart swell. She was ready to pounce on all the candy, I swear!

Then there's Stella. Oh, Stella. My creative, imaginative firstborn. She came to me with this idea, and honestly, I was a little lost at first, but then she explained it, and I was like, 'Okay, queen, you do you!' She wanted to be a K-Pop demon hunter. Like, how specific and amazing is that?! She had this whole vision for it, and we pieced together some things, and she just looked so cool. She was so proud of it, and it was just another reminder of how unique and wonderful each of my girls are. I love that they're not afraid to be exactly who they are, even if it means being a K-Pop demon hunter for a night. She even had some of her own little dance moves ready, which was just peak Stella.

Cherry, Our Little Bonus Bear (and Esmeralda's Missing Piece lol)

And then there's our littlest, our sweet baby Cherry. She's our 'cherry on top' in every way, and for Halloween, she was our bonus bear! She looked so snuggly and cute in her little bear costume. She was just along for the ride, taking it all in, and every time someone said 'aww, a bear!' her little eyes would just sparkle. It was her first proper trick-or-treating experience, even if she was just in the stroller, and it was just the sweetest thing ever. Having her there, all cozy and happy, just made everything feel complete. I couldn't imagine a Halloween without her now :,)

Now, about Tanner and me. I was *supposed* to be Esmeralda, from Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Tanner was Phoebus. We thought it was a cute couple's theme, especially since the girls picked their own things. But guess what? Right before we were about to head out, I realized I couldn't find a key part of my Esmeralda costume! I swear I had it, but it just vanished into the abyss of our house hahah. So I was a slightly incomplete Esmeralda for the photos, but honestly, idc. Tanner looked so handsome as Phoebus, and we were just so happy to be out with the girls. It's funny how those little things that used to stress me out so much now just roll off my back. It's all about the memories, not the perfection, right?

Making Halloween Magical, One Treat at a Time

We had the best Halloween, you guys. We went trick-or-treating in our neighborhood, and the girls were just buzzing with excitement. Seeing their little faces light up with every piece of candy they got, hearing their giggles, watching them run from door to door – it’s just pure magic. These are the moments I live for. It's not about the elaborate decorations or the perfect costumes; it's about the feeling, the joy, the togetherness. Kids truly make these times so much more fun :,)

We came home, dumped all the candy, and the girls immediately started sorting through it. It’s a tradition now. They have their favorites, they trade, they make little piles. It’s messy, it’s chaotic, but it’s *ours*. Tanner and I even snag a few of our faves when they’re not looking hahah. We love a good candy corn moment, and those little chocolate bars? Forget about it. We straight up eat these everyday we love them over here!!

I feel like as a mom, you're always trying to create these perfect, memorable moments for your kids. But what I've learned is that the most memorable ones are often the ones that are a little imperfect, a little spontaneous, and full of genuine joy. This Halloween was exactly that. It was real, it was us, and it was filled with so much love and laughter. I'm already excited for next year, and who knows what crazy costumes the girls will come up with then! Maybe I'll actually find all my costume pieces next time, but probably not, and that's okay too hahah. Sending you all so much love! ❤