Being pregnant with twins, and starting to show at10 weeks, gets me a lot of attention from the general public. Strangers often ask me when I am due and they’re eyes widen with surprise when I tell them some date that is not tomorrow, so I explain “I am having twins, that is why my belly is so big.” When I went to vote the gentleman registering me looked at my belly with concern and asked, “That isn’t going to happen now is it?”
Or, I am showered with lovely comments such as: ‘You are huge.’ or ‘Wow are you showing.’ Now this may be particularly hard to hear when I have spent the majority of my life as small/petite. But I am not huge I am pregnant, with twins! So lay off and let me waddle through the rest of my pregnancy.Read more...
2 Styrofoam balls or pom-poms, one being slightly smaller than the other. This is your spider body
Black paint, fabric, sparkles, or some other method of making your spider body black (or whatever colour you wish). We sacrificed a black reusable shopping tote because it’s what we had on hand
Googly eyes. For a less goofy spider, we think two red sequins would make good eyes.
Sure, Christmas is alright. There’s tasty baked goods, family dinners, A Christmas Story and gifts, but where’s the spookiness? Yes, a large man dressed in Coca-Cola colours creeping around and eating your cookies is a tad spooky, but it’s no Halloween. October 31st has ghosts, goblins, freaks and free candy. The Pettit household loves Halloween so much, we’re planning on making a eerie advent calendar filled with ghoulish goodies to help count down the days. Read more...
He looks like a Viking, and has a power of a god. Behold: mighty Thor
Before the 2011 film painted Thor as an epic-bearded, heartbreakin’ hero, Thor was a product of Marvel comics in the silver age of the genre. Born in 1978, this character is the Thor of Norse mythology – the overall term for myths and legends about supernatural beings of Nordic countries. He has an alter ego, Donald Blake, through whom he treats the ill in private practice. As Thor, he’s friends with Zeus, eats golden apples to sustain his extended lifespan, and most importantly, wears a sweet costume. This summer’s blockbuster movie gave Thor a less primary coloured ensemble. Pick whichever Thor you prefer: Original comic book-style, or Chris Hemsworth.
Defining features: Long blond hair, red cape, hammer, Vikingness
Your kids’ deeply entrenched image of Snow White is about to change.
The new movie Snow White and the Huntsman is giving her armour, unkempt hair and an adventurous attitude. Kristen Stewart will portray the fierce protagonist, and she isn’t taking any advice from woodland creatures. The movie, set to come out June 2012, will be a much darker and more epic version of its Disney counterpart, and is made by the producers of Alice in Wonderland and The Sixth Sense.
We say ditch the pre-made Disney Snow White in favour of this righteous heroine.
Be more cutting than the cutting edge of technology… circa 1870 or so
There’s just something inherently cool about something that comes across as both futuristic and antique, and if you’ve exposed your kids to early and classic sci-fi, they probably think it’s pretty cool too. It’s 19th century style, but with a heavy emphasis on the technology of the time, i.e. steam and spring-powered gadgets. Basically, the look you’re going for is classy, old timey inventor-adventurer. If someone asks what you are, you say you’re steampunk and they’re confused, tell them you’re a classy inventor-adventurer. If they’re still confused, say you’re Phileas Fogg (minus the hot air balloon, plus more gadgets) from Around the World in 80 Days or H.G. Wells’ time traveller.
What other beauty queen is known for her karate chops? Exactly.
Creating a Miss Piggy costume is actually super easy, since it’s just something sparkly and glamorous, with piggy flare. The key to a good Miss Piggy is attitude.
Miss Piggy’s defining features: Wavy blond hair, Hollywood starlet wardrobe and pig snout.
You’ll need:
red carpet-worthy dress (preferably pink)
feather boa
curly blond hair (yours or a wig)
plain hair band
2 pink felt or cardboard triangles
crazy thick/dark eye lashes (have fun with mascara or get some fake ones — just don’t glue anyone’s eyes shut)
pearls
pig nose (optional — kids are really good at just turning their own noses into piggy snouts)
It’s not easy being round.
