This year both boys requested pretty elaborate and time-consuming costumes, so Bruce (the family costume guru) got started early. My first photos are dated in September, but he actually began in August. Finn wanted to be Mars, so we got a giant balloon and readied for another very large papier-mâché structure. We all chipped in, adding layers and layers until it was strong enough to cut open a hole to see through.
We were a little worried it wouldn’t fit through the door, but it did.
Bruce and Finn did a great job with the spray paint to get a good red.
It was quite heavy, but Bruce installed shoulder straps with foam padding and bars at the bottom so Finn could lift it up off his shoulders if he needed a rest. Here’s the final product.
Ezra wanted to use his Enderman costume from last year but make some upgrades, namely he wanted the head to move up and down electronically like “real” Endermans do. First, Bruce had to decapitate the old costume.
Then he started work on several iterations of electronics and mechanics.
There were lots of burned out batteries, replaced components, and back-to-the-drawing-board moments, but as always, he persevered. I have several videos here of early models. Here’s a little loop of the finished working product.
Ezra also requested new legs that wrapped all the way around and connected with magnets. Here he is spray painting them.
Here’s the whole thing.
I’ll have more photos and videos of the costumes in the posts to come.