Explore, Rescue, Protect: Our Octonauts Halloween

I really struggled with what to do for our Halloween costumes this year. I like to have unique costumes - usually handmade, and I wasn't sure how to follow up our Star Wars Halloween Costumes and Super Mario Halloween Costumes (the best two family themes I've managed thus far). We threw out lots of ideas, but ultimately Andrew suggested that we go with something the kids would almost certainly enjoy: Octonauts.

Professor Inkling, Dashi, Kwazii, Captain Barnacles, Peso, Shellington, Turnip, Tweak.

If you're unaware, the Octonauts are a loveable bunch of animals who live in the "Octo-pod" in the ocean and they sail around taking care of hurt and lost sea creatures. They can be found on Disney Jr, if you need to be further enlightened. For months, Lincoln has declared himself to be "Captain Barnacles" and he dubbed Addie "Peso" (the penguin). Andrew and I have been named Shellington and Dashi, respectively. I didn't actually ask Lincoln if he wanted to be Captain Barnacles for Halloween until the day before the holiday, but I wasn't surprised when he let out a hysterical giggle and jumped up and down. I'm not sure I've ever seen him so excited.

This Halloween adventure could have been a disaster, considering that I started researching costumes at noon on October 30. I know, I know. Every single year, I declare that there will be no more procrastination, and every single year....I fail. So, off to Joann and Target I ran, and thankfully, between the two stores, managed to find everything I needed to make the costumes. I'll be sharing some tutorials and more details about making the costumes later, as I just want to show off some cute photos in this post - haha.

These hats = maybe my favorite.

After an (absolutely literal) all-night sewing marathon, we woke up on Halloween morning ready to be transformed into the Octonauts!

Dashi

My Dashi costume was entirely based upon that pink skirt, which thankfully already existed in my costume collection.

Peso. Those penguin feet. I mean, really.

Captain Barnacles. Complete with Octo-compass on his belt!

After an initial meltdown over not wanting to change into their new costumes, I bribed them each with a chocolate chip and they put the new attire on and wondered in amazement at each other and their likeness to their favorite characters.

We set off on an adventure to show off a little bit! The first stop was at Daddy's work, where all of his office mates had baskets of candy waiting for little kids to haul off in their baskets. Bonus: daddy works for the library and the children's department was also giving out books! Best Halloween treat ever? I think yes.

We didn't do much trick-or-treating last year and I don't think they remember it anyway, but they both caught onto the idea very quickly.

Here's the funny thing: I don't really let them eat candy. Ever. We're still fighting tooth decay and I'm reducing the number of processed and GMO foods in our home, so most of this stuff is off limits. Thankfully, they didn't really ask to eat anything while we were there and just took great joy in collecting the goodies from everyone.

After we finished up at the library and made a stop to see the great-grandparents, we had to hit the grocery store - where we made quite an impression. Then it was time to run home and grab a snack before we headed out for evening festivities - but first, I snatched the opportunity for a few photos with the kids.

Andrew, who is an amazing sport, aka the best daddy ever, even wore his Shellington costume without too much anxiety. These kids are lucky, I tell you. AWESOME DADDY POINTS RIGHT HERE.

We decided to go to a Trunk-or-Treat at one of the churches in town. It was pretty cold outside (most people were wearing heavy winter coats - yikes), but we braved the elements anyway for a short time.

Lincoln and Addie were honestly too little for most of the activities, but they got to play some games and collect more candy from the kind people at this church!

Once we all stopped being able to feel our fingers, we piled back in the van and had a quick bite to eat at McAlister's Deli (free meals for kids in costumes and free cookies for adults - win!). Then we headed back home, visited a couple of neighbors for "real" trick-or-treating, and came inside to see all of the loot.

The kids were very proud of their candy, and being not a completely no-fun mommy, I even let them eat a couple pieces each before they went to bed (followed, of course, by a very thorough brushing of their teeth). In the days post-Halloween, they seem to have completely forgotten about their Halloween candy stash - but they do adore those pumpkin buckets!

I'm pleased to report that everyone slept well after all of the adventuring, begged to wear their costumes again the next day (okay...not daddy in this case), and have talked about how much fun they had endlessly. I think they wish every day were Halloween.

What did you do for the holiday? Did you dress up with your kids?