Sometime in September, my mother drove over 2 hours to our house for the day (about 5 hours round trip) just to help create Ashlyn’s Halloween costume. Ashlyn had a picture in her head of a pirate princess. It became our job to bring that picture to life. When the day was done and the costume complete, we liked it so much that I told Ash I’d walk with her in our town’s Halloween parade and let her throw candy out to kids if she wanted to. Hey, after all that work and money, I wanted her to get some use out of this costume! So, we signed her up and bought 14 lbs of candy at Costco. And, Mark did his magic on our wagon to make it look like a pirate ship. Ash was so excited to be a part of the parade and be judged in the costume contest. So, my mom came up again the day of the parade (this past Tuesday). The parade itself wasn’t all that grand. But, boy, did Ash have fun. Mom and I had to keep our mouths shut as we walked with her–she didn’t want us pointing kids out to her to throw candy to. She was in complete control of the situation…as always. So, last night, we went to a Halloween party where the winners for all the age groups were announced. Each time the announcer would call out a name, Ashlyn would look back at us and sort of sigh like she was thinking in an eeyore-like way, “oh, they didn’t call my name.” But, eventually,…drum roll please…Ashlyn won first prize! She…and Evan as you can tell from the video…were thrilled. She got a crisp $20 bill for her prize, and she already has picked out some panda toy from the Toys R Us catalog that she wants to buy with it. What a fun experience for all of us…and we haven’t even trick or treated yet!
Philly Area mom, Life forever changed by adoption
Sweet video! I totally started crying when she won! :) ha ha That was awesome. Makes me want to get my video camera out! Let’s see I have 5 days to whip out some costumes for the kids….better get sewing!
Such a fun video to watch. Looks like everyone had a great time. I wish we could have been up there to cheer for her. You know I would have too!
Great job Mom and Dad! You are such cool parents!
ok…Kelly…this is absolutely adorable! I LOVE IT…and as a creative type, I’d say she has some creative juices in her blood. It’s so unique and she’s definately the most beautiful pirate princess I’ve ever seen. I’m not surprised she won. You and your mom did an amazing job.
I remember as a child–3rd Grade to be exact, I entered a poster contest, the prize was $3 (it was 1967, so $3 then as like $20 today). I won and my poster was on display in the bank window, downtown for a few weeks. I still have the poster, and I had the envelope “sealed” with the $3 in it, until I raided the envelope a few years later. It was a definately highlight of my childhood. And was an inspirational moment that lead to a design degree and my own graphic design studio. I’m sure this will be the same for her. It will be interesting to see if she becomes a costume designer, or a fashion designer–she’d be a good one I think. I’m sure you won at least one writing contest as a kid. Do tell! :)
Great job on the video! Love the costume! Congrats Ashlyn!
HI Kelly – I think this is my first time checking out this blog! Ashlyn’s costume was great – much better than the dalmation I’m trying to create for Ella. The small town I grew up in always had a big Halloween parade and one year me and a few friends dressed as M&M’s and walked in it. I am pretty sure we were in high school. Why we picked M&M’s – I wish I could remember!