that was covered with vines lived one little girl in one straight line.
Ava has loved Madeline since the first time I read her the book. By age two, she had the entire book memorized and could “read” it cover to cover.
When she was three, she went with her preschool class to see the Madeline Christmas play. She was devastated that she wasn’t able to be Madeline. This led to a long discussion about the theater process starting with a little thing thespians like to call auditions. It’s kind of like your ticket to the stage.
Shortly after Christmas last year Ava began hatching plans about how she was going to be Madeline for Halloween. While this bypassed any auditions, it certainly created costume drama.
I was raised by a crafty mother who sew bits of this and that and rummaged through thrift shops to outfit her children for trick or treating. So far, I had followed in her path dressing Ava up in what I could find or what I could sew. Madeline, however, presented a far greater challenge than the Fairy Princess Ballerina or Little Bo Peep. I had no interest in sewing a big blue coat and did not where to buy a large yellow hat?
In May, I was dropping off some clothes to consign when I spied a shiny blue coat on a clearance rack. It was perfect. I couldn’t believe it. I bought and then immediately regretted buying it. How was I going to find a yellow hat? It isn’t quite Madeline without the hat. And all the yellow hats on ebay came with blue coats.
Later this summer I found an Easter hats that my mom had saved from when I was a girl. A little yellow fabric spray, a bit of black ribbon and a glue gun turned Easter white into French school girl. And thanks to Grandma Penny, Ava already had a little Parisian smock and black velvet shoes.
Of course after I had finished all the parts of the Madeline costume, Ava announced, “I don’t really want to be Madeline this year. I want to be a butterfly, a sparkly, puple butterfly with gorgeous wings then I can just fly to all the houses!”
She spend the better part of last week dreaming up a glittery, sparkly butterfly costume. I almost gave in. HungryMan, however, could not be swayed. He took one look at the blue coat and one look at Ava and said, “Ava, you’re either going to Madeline or you’re not going trick or treating.”
There’s nothing the promise of brightly wrapped candy to influence a four-year-old’s wardrobe.
This little Madeline has already brought her “bonjour” and “merci” to two preschool parties and the park.
The weather is gorgeous, so were “off to the next one!”
So cute! Happy Halloween Ava, you look adorable!
How creative! We enjoy the Madeline books also. I love all of the practical lessons!
SO cute. She is adorable as Madeline. Tres chic.
CuUUUUUUUUUUTE! I love Madeline, too. And say you ever have a boy some day? The coat could be shortened and he could be Paddington Bear, another favorite of mine!
I love Madeline! I am glad you have nice weather! It’s POURING here in Seattle……just can’t wait:)
I love original costumes and Ava makes a very sweet Madeline!
What a great costume! Good work in tracking all of that down. Your little Ava is one cute Madeline.
My kids walked out from the pages of a picture book too. My son (almost 7) was The Man with The Yellow Hat, and my daughter (2) was Curious George. Quite a pair.
Yay for one of a kind costumes (not so much for the headaches they cause before hand… heh.)
That turned out really cute, Rachel! Orison likes me to be Miss Clavel and say “Something is not right!” all the time.
Love the title. Love the creativity.
So cute! Nice work! I can’t help but hope to have a little girl someday that I can dress up like Madeline – I love that book.
Oh adorable. I never got to make girl costumes! AGH..
That might be the sweetest Halloween costume I’ve ever seen.
Nice work. And kudos to your husband for enforcing the first choice. It was the right one.
What a lucky find on that jacket it is perfect! and she is the perfect adorable Madeline. But of course that is something I don’t need to tell you!
p.s. Enjoy being able to dress her up while it lasts…Emma is 7 this year and well…she ended up being Hannah Montana..UGHHHH….WHAT HAS BECOME OF US?!?!?!
J’aime ma petite-fille! Que adorable et jolie!
i can’t believe you were planning this since before May! You are hilarious Rachel, and a very dedicated Mama!
Oh My! Well done, she looked terrific! I haven’t read my daughter the books yet; maybe for Christmas!!
Blessings, Whitney