Category Archives: Holiday Kiddo

It’s the 3rd Annual Modern Kiddo Costume Parade! {Cool Homemade Costumes!}

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Step right up folks, it’s time for the Modern Kiddo Costume Parade! We said wanted to see yer best homemade costumes—the good, the bad, the semi disastrous. And you delivered! Of course I should have known that Modern Kiddo readers don’t play the Craft Fail game and ya’ll turned it out with some spectacular costumes (I mean, I can’t lie. I was secretly hoping to see some goofy fun disasters just to make my non-sewing butt feel better). Take a look at some of these fantastic creations. Seriously you guys….these are all amazing.

Mama Jocelyn (from Etsy shop The Nesting Spot) crafted up two of the most adorable ensembles EVERRRRR. First up, sweet little Audrey as Red Riding Hood. This is one costume I never tire of. And Audrey is kind of the cutest thing around.

But wait til you see her brother Josiah….as Sherlock Holmes!!! I die.

Last year we featured sweet little Olive as a sassy Pirate Girl.  This year her mama Greta (from LayerCakeShop.com) did it again with this darling rainbow. If this doesn’t make you smile, you have a heart of stone people!

I don’t know what is cuter….the fact that this little one’s name is Marlo Pearl, or the fact that she is a dressed as Mary Poppins!!

Mama Lindsay sent us this adorable photo of her little man Greyson…I think he’s the cutest gnome around!

Little Murphy’s mum Maren (greenhearts, red balloons) made him  a super cute outfit for his first Halloween. He is dressed as the Prince of all Cosmos from Japanese game Katamari Damcy. I’m not familiar with the game but I think he looks pretty darn cute!

Miss Beatrice Bird is a favorite around these parts (you can see when she was our Weekly Kiddo over here!) and last year she went as a sassy, spunky Mermaid! Her mama Natalie  created these mermaid costumes for both her girls. Ariel would be proud!

Kristen, (from the amazing shop The Robot Parade for Kids), is seriously so clever and creative. It wasn’t enough that her lil’ man Eli went as a tiny MacGyver….(oh yeah…)

but then last year he went as Transformer, Optimus Prime! The best part is that it actually transformed. Kristen told me, “People loved it and he got extra candy for transforming at some stops!” Go Eli!

While we’re on the theme of transportation, check out the adorable Griffin in his deluxe firetruck! I love the susenders holding up the “car”. His mama Toria is a great pal of mine and you’ll love her tumblr, tiny reads.

As your child gets older, you have less and less control over what they will wear. You want something quirky and conceptual, they want to be Spider Man. Unless of course your child is a budding drama star like Lisa-Garbrielle (of Jungle Dream Pagoda) daughter Ruby. Miss Ruby loves dressing up and counts Holly Golightly, “Gothedy-Anne” and Miss Transylvania among her favorites!

One of Wolfie’s best buds is Miles….both of them are obsessed with Angry Birds, so that’s exactly what Miles went as last year! Mama Lynn (of MizLandry fame) whipped together this avant-garde interpretation and I just love it!

 

Super heroes are also a popular theme with the little lads, and talented mama Briana knew her boys would flip for these.  Young Lucas helped pick out the fabric for his Hawkeye (from the Avengers) ensemble. Briana says he not helped design it,  and consulted every 20 minutes, while she sewed (“Make it work, mama!”). His brother Jackson makes a fierce Lego Ninjago “Kai DX” too. [Mother’s of young boys under 5, this will allllll make sense in a few years. Trust me.  😉 ]

Tammy’s little girl Gia is not only stylish (she of the polka dot Flamenco shoes!) but she is a total performer….I love a little girl who isn’t afraid to go the non-princess route! This mummy is a scream! She can be my ghoul friend any day! OK OK…..that’s a wrap…..hyuck hyuck.

This next one kills me. Baby Jane went as…..her DAD! Mama Jill explained, “Everyone always mentioned how much she looked like her daddy, so that’s exactly who she dressed up as! We used eyeliner for her goatee, I cut out a Miller Lite logo from a beer case and pinned it to a tiny ballcap, put her bottle in a koozie (in place of a beer) and even clipped a toy iphone to her belt loop. Everyone at the party thought it was hysterical!” OK, I’m totally dying too!!

I love when people get clever with the materials they use for their costumes. Check out these cute Jelly Belly girls! We saw them at a local parade and I loooved it! A clear plastic bag and mini balloons! Genius!

Groove meister Graham made this sweet robot get up all by himeself with a hot glue gun and all kinds of goodies from the Dollar Store. My fave item? One of those silver sun shields for the windshield of the car. CLEVER!!

This little miss (also from our parade day) came as the cutest sushi I ever did see….packing peanuts as rice? A red plastic bag with a Kikkoman print out on it as the soy sauce?? PURE GENIUS!

Crafty mama Stephanie May came up with these super cool boxes of candy for her three cuties. I’m a sucker for a costume made out of a box! You can see more on her blog, may dae.

Mama Shelley made this Owl costume for her daughter Lindsay Jane  from a Simplicity pattern….wow! So impressively cute! (Lindsay Jane is the sister of Graham, our groovy DIY robot up there!)

Miss Dottie I hope you’re sitting down for this one….not only are Elizabeth’s two cuties dressed as Mary and Laura Ingalls, their names are Daisy & Rosebud. Lemme here ya say it girl, “Squeeee!” Find mama Elizabeth at sugar petite.

Last year, Suzy blew us away with her costume that featured her babe Oscar as Max (from Where the Wild Things Are) and herself as THE BOAT! (check out last year’s post here). This year little Oz wanted to go as Handy Manny and Suzy did a terrific job of making an original outfit that was cute but true to the character!

I don’t usually feature grown ups, but since Suzy was that amazing boat last year, I had to share her “preggo” costume….she went as the sun and constellation and her hubs went as Gallileo! I love it! Sooo clever and cute.

Suzy also snapped this one for me….I think it’s hysterical!

Another Modern Kiddo All Star is little Billy. His mum Gabrielle sent us pictures last year and he immediately earned a spot as a Weekly Kiddo! (you gotta see this cutie, here) Every year they do amazing costumes and last year didn’t disappoint! Check out Billy as a stylish dracula and his two lovely sisters as Dorothy and the cutest little spider you ever did see!


This entry is from a special reader in the UK….little Gwennan! Her mother Ceri is a wiz when it comes to crafting up costumes for her little cutie. Just check these out—all handmade by the talented Ceri! So fabulous!

I will say that there was a SPECTACULAR Snow Girl (aka Lady Snowman) but I’m going to share that with you as we get closer to the holidays!

OK. Our final two belong in the “I Can’t Believe You Got Them To Wear That!” category!

First up, our sweet friend Sasha. Another Modern Kiddo favorite, this little girl has crazy cool style. She is also, apparently, fearless. Last year she was a genius Eddie Munster while her uncle was an awesome Uncle Fester. But this year they went for a Batman theme (with genius mama Inessa sewing up all the costumes). Sasha was cat woman, her brother Nini went as the Joker….and her uncle as the most terrifying penguin ever!!!


(Inessa said that the mask was NOT her favorite part! haha…)


They look incredible, the detail is spectacular! But i’m telling you, Wolfie would have flipped his lid over that penguin costume (and not in a good way! haha). Inessa is really talented. You can find her over at the stylish Diaper Style Memoirs.

And finally….we have Michelle’s entry. Her little two year old cutie patooty Riley dressed up as none other than Lady Gaga. And not just any Lady Gaga mind you….BEHOLD….the Meat Dress Gaga!

Call me crazy but she manages to make the meat dress look totally adorable. Michelle is a crafty thing and had this to say, “I am ALL about homemade costumes! And I love Halloween! We called her Baby Gaga and everyone thought it was pretty hysterical. Even my husband’s 90 year old grandmother even knew who she was!” See more of sweet Riley and her sister Macey over on the cute blog hey peanut.

SO there you have it. WHEW! I’m exausted. AMAZING stuff my friends! And if you submitted a costume and don’t see it here, please let me know! I’m happy to add to the parade!

Happy Mother’s Day!! This Is What a Mother Looks Like…

Holiday Kiddo

Pssst! My own mama has been visiting and rather than spend the time blogging, I thought I would simply re-run this post I did last year. The sentiment remains the same! xo

Photo by: the gorgeous Sandra Kleist from The Winding Road

Mommies are people, people with children
When mommies were little, they used to be girls
Like some of you, but then they grew
And now mommies are women, women with children
Busy with children, and things that they do
There are a lot of things a lot of mommies can do

Some mommies are ranchers, or poetry makers
Or doctors or teachers, or cleaners or bakers
Some mommies drive taxis, or sing on TV
Yeah, mommies can be almost anything they want to be!
— Marlo Thomas, Parents are People from Free to Be You and Me

Back in the 70s Marlo Thomas conceived this super groovy art album called Free to Be You and Me that was an alternative to all the stereotypical stuff children were being taught. It was especially empowering for young girls and taught them that they could indeed be anything they wanted to when they grew up…writers, doctors, painters, pilots, dancers….and even mommies.

I loved the notion that mommies were people, people with children. It’s so simple. We are tall and short. Different colors, shapes and sizes. Some have straight hair and others curly curls. Some wear glasses, some can see for miles. Some like coffee, others tea. Others would love a nice chilly cocktail, made with the good stuff, thank you very much.

We laugh. We cry. We hug our kiddos with all our might. We get sad at the thought that one day our sweet daughter might start dating some icky loser. We get sad at the thought that one day we won’t be able to see our sweet boy’s cute little bum anymore. We have days were we think, “Shoot, maybe I *do* want another baby!” and other days where we think, “Oh HAIL no….”

It’s ten times more difficult than we imagined and a hundred times more rewarding.

We have days where we are overwhelmed by the sheer pressure of everything. Where we think, “It’s too much. How can I do it all??”

We have days where we are overwhelmed by the joy of everything. Where we think, “My heart is so full, I think it might burst when I look at this sweet child of mine.”

Yet underneath it all, we’re all the same. Bound together by the love of our children. Mommies are people. People with children.

To all of the many amazing, strong, sweet, powerful, thoughtful, bold, kind, crazy, shy, loud, fabulous women we kn0w….we love you and salut you. You really do have the hardest job in town. And you know what? Your child is *totally* the cutest, smartest kiddo we know….

Presenting just a small selection of  our beloved  friends and readers. Mothers, all of ’em. Ladies, I have to say, DAMN ya’ll look good!

Here’s to old, treasured friends and all the many new fabulous friendships blossoming! *MWUAH!*

Once again, that super rad top photo was taken by our amazingly lovely friend Sandra Kleist, from The Winding Road! Also, you may have noticed we’ve transformed our usual Modern Kiddo masthead for the weekend. My gorgeous friend Pilgrim is the genius behind it all! Next year we want to see YOUR face in our gallery!!

We Wish You a Merry Christmas and a Groovy New Year!

Holiday Kiddo

Dear Modern Kiddo friends,

Thank you sooo very much for a glorious year and for all your love and positive energy and enthusiasm! Thanks for all the lovely comments and support. We’re also so thankful for all the cool friendships we formed that have blossomed beyond the pages of Modern Kiddo….and it makes us so happy seeing friendships form between our fabulous readers!

Most of all, thank you for letting Dottie and I into your homes and lives via this kooky blog of ours. You make this whole bloggin’ thang pretty darn grand!

It’s the Modern Kiddo ornament party! Featuring tweedlebop!

Downloads, Holiday Kiddo, , , , ,

Ho ho ho, kiddos! Well, well well, it’s Christmas Eve day…can you believe it?? We are so soooo excited over here. Wolfie is just bustin’ and can’t wait for Christmas morning…he keeps asking me if I think Santa will know that Tuxie is here (our cat we dragged all the way to Michigan) and if he’ll bring him something….and also will Santa know how much he reeeeeally reeeeeeeeeeeeally wants a new Wii game or maybe a DS game or MAYBE even BOTH! But also a Lego Harry Potter thingy and could we possibly TEXT Santa to remind him of all this?? Oh yes. Text Santa. This is the modern age, my friends.

As this week draws to a close I have one last addition to the Modern Kiddo Ornament Party. So far we have seen amazing ornaments from Kristin (klt:works), Pilgrim (draw! pilgrim) and Danielle (Kitschy Digitals). Our final artist is the amazing Michael Fleming of Tweedlebop! I’ve sang his praises before (here!) and I’m about to do it again. Just look at these super adorable spacey snow peeps he’s created for you guys!!!!!!! I’m in adorable snow-bot heaven:

Simply download and print out on card stock for best results. As always I’m partial to a little embellishing with glitter or tiny pom poms, but these little bad boys look pretty darn adorable as-is too. A wee hole punch to the top and string with baker’s twine, ribbon or string and yer all set!

Download your special modern kiddo * tweedlebop holiday ornament here! (Ornaments are for personal use only!)

And because several people have emailed me, here once again is a link to my vintage vinyl Retro Holiday Music Mix! Have a listen while you wrap those final presents and place this last special ornament on your tree!

Oh! And here is the genius behind all this spacey goodness—Michael Fleming!

Michael is supremely talented and just an all around groovy guy. In addition to being an incredible artist, he is also the proud papa to the fabulous Winston Theodore and Olive!


(sorry, couldn’t resist one more shot of little Olive….)

Please show Ze Tweedlebop lots of love and swing by  his site or his shop (where you can pick up some amazing stuff!). You can also become a Fan of Tweedlebop on Facebook!

Thank you so much Michael for this amazing set of ornaments and being such a wonderful friend to modern kiddo. I’m so honored to have you as part of the modern kiddo family!

Download your special modern kiddo * tweedlebop holiday ornament here! (Ornaments are for personal use only!)

To everyone else, a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and your loved ones!!!!!

PS I’m signing off for a few days….I have a couple of things scheduled, but don’t you worry friends. I’m most definitely not workin’ over Christmas weekend. Can’t wait to hear what Santa brought you guys!

Brown Paper Packages Tied Up With String.

Holiday Kiddo

Pssst! Here’s a little last minute gift wrapping inspiration—culled from some vintage magazines!

I love the tie on the bottom blue package and the amazing little hand reaching out on the middle blue package (although I’m a tad confused—is the hand pullin on a girl’s braid?? A bell cord? Whuuuh?). Those silhouettes are hilarious too (on the bottom green box). Is it me or does it look like an alien and a mouse?

These are pretty cool….i love the spheres. The ones on the far right are totally like Pilgrim’s ornament!

Aw yeah, decorate your prezzies with REAL COOKIES! Though that snowman with LEGS is kind of terrifying:

(And yes, I love that girl’s apron too!)

Ah…..ain’t nothin’ posher than a big ol’ pom pom. I looooove this one!

Please read the text above…..pinwheel pandemonium! Potent hues! When was the last time you used the word “pandemonium” and “gift wrap” in the same sentence?? Genius.

I think these brown bag goodies are awesome, especially the red bird and the Mum and Dad prezzies:

The colors on these are so fun….I’d love to find a stash like this under my tree!

The magic of tape….I know the silver stuff is ribbon, but I like to think they used long strips of tape to hang those dangling ornaments!

And finally….Reynolds Wrap! Have a shiny holiday when you wrap in style with aluminum foil! This is exactly what I look like Christmas morning. Now if only I could get Greg to get a pipe.