Not A Box!

This post was drafted more than a month ago. Time to post it before Christmas Eve! We cannot miss documenting a Fennell Hallowe'en that did not involve Dad creating a cardboard box creation. He was quite nearly giddy about it. A few months ago I was quite sure he'd be creating his most complicated cardboard box costume, yet - The Victoria Hippo Bus. For those not familiar this is a school bus converted into an amphibious tourist vehicle and decorated to look a bit like a hippo.

But the hippo bus interest has lead to a passionate interest in real hippos - the flesh and blood kind that live in Africa and at the Zoo. Did you know that hippos are the most dangerous animal in Africa? The hippo knowledge in this household has increased exponentially in the last little while. So when Kai announced that he wished to be a hippo for hallowe'en, we set about searching for a costume. It was surprisingly easy and we ordered a fuzzy, baby blue hippo costume direct from Japan. It was reasonably priced too, until it showed up and we had to pay the custom's tariff.

So after 4 years of being boxed in for Hallowe'en, and one year of being the sky tower and wearing a converted laundry basket, Kai was not only able to move about but he was adorable and soft and fuzzy. Even he appreciated the change and commented on how easy it was going to be to sit down this year! We were thrilled that he could see his feet when going up and down stairs while trick or treating and the costume actually improved his skating at the costume skate this year, rather than making it even harder. Added bonus, costume is so furry and soft that it is now his warmest pair of PJs.

Now miss T has been a variety of things over the years: cat, unicorn, princess, mermaid, lion, even Elsa. This year she was planning on being Jane Goodall but made a last minute switch to be another one of her animal loving hero's - Steve Irwin. This costume was definitely a parent favorite since other than buying her some pants and a safari vest, we didn't have to do anything. Just select a few reptilian creatures from T's giant animal collection and throw on an aussie accent and she was good to go. She might have been the only kid in Victoria saying "Trick or treat mate."