I never knew you had to buy Halloween costumes in August (195)

That is until I had to start buying them. I was uninformed when it came time to buy Tyler his first Halloween costume. Silly me waited until the second week of October before I went out to find one. Big mistake. Retailers start putting out the costumes in August and by September 1st they're already picked over. I had a really hard time finding a decent costume for him. Especially the infant size one I needed. They're the first to go. I did end up finding something, but only after going to about 5 different places. Also, all the really cool ones go fast as well. Duh. You'd think I would have known that. I've learned from the mistakes made in my youth and now I make darn sure that I have all costumes by mid-September at the latest. Consequently, this means that we have to start discussing what they want to be in July. Then I have to begin the odyssey of looking for the decided upon costumes, because you can never get everything for everyone at one place. Of course. I've found that buying online is the best way to go. Plus, it doesn't give the kids the chance to change their minds if I have to take them to the store when I'm shopping for them.

Tyler originally decided that he wanted to be Patrick Star this year. Do you think that I could find a Patrick Star costume? No. I must have looked at about 20 different sites and when I would find one and say "add that baby to my cart" I would get "sorry, this item has been discontinued and is no longer available." If it's been discontinued, why is it still on your site? Makes sense to me to remove it if you are no longer selling it. Oh, well. I did find one for $70.00 and was tempted to buy it and then I came to my senses. No way am I spending that much for a child's costume that will be worn once or twice and probably be ruined very quickly. I ended up having to tell him he had to change his mind. Surprisingly, he was ok with that and after looking at a couple of sites with me, he decided on Anakin Skywalker. It was readily available and reasonably priced. Good.

Cameron wanted to be a pirate. Another easy choice. I found a child's Captain Jack Sparrow costume on the same site where I found Tyler's. I was able to buy the 2 of them together, thereby saving on shipping costs. Yippee!

Avery went with her usual choice of princess or ballerina. She was a princess 2 years ago and a ballerina last year. So I talked her into a variation of the two and she is going to be a fairy. We already had the dress part. It's a little purple dance dress that she uses for dress up. All I had to get was purple wings and a wand to match. Double yippee!

Peyton's was easy enough. I didn't have anything in mind for him. I just went to Old Navy a while back (remember how infant costumes sell out fast and you have to go early in the game) and found a really cute dragon. A bonus was that I bought it during a 40% off baby sale and on a day when the costumes were on sale also. Triple yippee!

So, to all young mothers out there, learn from my mistake 8 years ago and don't wait until October to buy your children's Halloween costumes. Shop ridiculously early so that you can be sure to get what you want.