We absolutely love celebrating holidays. Especially Halloween and Christmas and while we always have coordinated Christmas attire this was our first year doing a family-themed costume.
My kids are 14 months apart at 2 and 3 years old. One of their latest huge obsessions is the live action cat in the hat movie staring Mike Myers that just recently celebrated its 22nd anniversary.
It is currently streaming on Netflix in the US and is set to leave Netflix on October 31 of 2022.
So it is only fitting that we dressed our children as “thing 1” and “thing 2” per their request and my husband and I had matching shirts that said “mother and father of all things”
Amazon to the rescue!
Links to the exact products purchased are as follows:
These costumes are some of the most well-made ones we’ve ever bought!
I’m sure as many people know costumes are usually poor quality constructed, they don’t wash or wear well and they attract EVERYTHING from fuzz to mystery glitter and end up looking like you’ve rolled around in a dog bed by the end of the night.
These however were quite the opposite!
I was pleasantly surprised and extremely pleased by the end product.
I loved the Mittens on my sons costume and their ease of use and removal. The interchangeable numbers on both costumes were extremely helpful as this prevents you from having to buy specific costumes just because of the number. Both costumes came with a one and a two for use.
The tights on my daughters costume were very well-made and not see-through at all,
And I liked the fact that the back of her dress was a zipper closure in theory if she wanted to she could wear this dress without the sticker thing number emblem on the front as a very pretty dress, same with the tights!
I need my son‘s number Velcro to his outfit however my daughters was held on by a sticky 3M backing. This was the only drawback I found I wish hers were more reusable as his was.
My husband and I are no stranger to matching as we’ve done it many times however these shirts were extremely cute well-made and easy to purchase directly from Amazon.
Overall this year‘s costume choice was a great one! I’m very happy with the way things turned out and the durability of it all.
my daughter loved the headband that came with her costume however my son wanted anyone other than him to wear the hat that came with his for that I blame sensory issues but he still looked absolutely adorable as thing one and I wouldn’t change a thing!
So far my children have lived up to their character inspirations and been ABSOLUTELY WILD In their costumes but they won’t be this little for long so we are soaking it up for as long as we can. I’d say our first family costume experience was a win!
Yes, I have my hands full but I’m also overflowing at the heart!
Since finding out that JCPenney portraits still offered photo sessions last November we’ve now gone 5 times in 8 months.
Excessive? Crazy? I think not!
When I learned they offered “grow with me sessions” I couldn’t pass that up!
We had to take Raiden in celebration of his 3rd birthday in March. We did family Easter/ spring photos in April and we were back in June to celebrate Sp turning Two.
It’s hard to fathom how quickly life progresses and time goes on. When I started Tatorthoughts I wasn’t even a biological mom earthside yet.
I wrote about my TTC experience, my journey through both high-risk pregnancies, and my recovery, and here we are celebrating years 2 and 3 for my heart and soul.
They didn’t disappoint! These sessions were so cute and very worth it. They showcased their personalities perfectly and encouraged us to bring props which me being the “extra” mom we absolutely followed suit on!
They’re so affordable, and accommodating to small rambunctious children with big needs and Groupon has become a great source for things like this as well.
It takes us about an hour to shoot and 15 minutes to choose our packages to purchase. And that’s with littles!
I’m still super impressed by JCPenney portraits studios and their photographers.
It may seem totally 80’s & 90’s family of us but this is a sweet family tradition I hope never dies out.
I encourage all my people to go at least once because babies don’t keep and people won’t be here forever.
Always grateful to JCPenney for their dedication to their clients, attention to detail, and caring spirit. These memories will always be precious to me!
My youngest kids are turning 2 & 3 years old in 2022.
(writing that sentence broke my heart a little.. Anyways let’s continue)
Their ages mean that they’ve either never had a life not somehow impacted by the covid 19 pandemic or had very little of one that he probably will never remember.
This also means their “firsts” look a lot different than most. now that they’re *Almost* to the age where they can sit through a movie we decided to test it out and create a movie theater experience for them at home. I 10/10 recommend doing this! This wasn’t the first movie they’d seen by any means, but this was the first movie we made a huge deal out of and the first one they actually sat through 90% of before getting distracted by their desire for more Snacks. Thank God for a pause button and Disney+!
Encanto broke barriers, my family is Disney driven but I’ve always pushed for Disney to do better & do more in the representation department, and with this movie they did just that, and no I’m not JUST talking about a female character ( Luisa ) with visible muscles and demonstrated strength, but that is a good point too. Let’s not forget this movie showcases STRENGTHS AS GIFTS. As if to imply anyone’s strong points in life are gifts as well, which I love!
Go listen to the songs, look up the lyrics if you have to. Really understand what they’re saying and look how they are portraying it.
This movie has deeper meaning and value beyond catchy, well-written scores, accurately drawn characters, and bright vibrant colors. This movie is empowering to Young and old & healing for those who need it most.
Don’t ask me. if I have a favorite character because I don’t, but if I did we couldn’t talk about him- no-no-no.
BRUNO… Why can’t we talk about him?!
He’s AWESOME!
A little yuppie sure, slightly superstitious, and a little awkward from being given such a powerful gift no one but Mirabel bothered to look at for more than face value & then living life surrounded by his rodent friends hidden in the shadows in the walls of his family’s magical home for what some might argue was just a “few days” too long. He always had the best of intentions and went away to wage protection. Again the movie is deep but unless you’ve been exiled or looked at differently by your family you may not understand Bruno’s plight. It’s no fun being the one “we don’t talk about.”
I do admire him for looking over his family from a distance and totally vibing in the background of that musical number though!
You go, Bruno! Also, the connection between Mirabel and Bruno is top-notch! 10/10 recommend.
There are a plethora of gifts graced to the Madrigal family and it simply wouldn’t be a Disney movie without the stereotypical feminine perfectionist Princess – Isabel.
She’s the less evidently flawed, somewhat full of herself sister who can make flowers bloom. I like beauty and traditional princess types as much as the next person but I gotta say she’s one of my least favorite characters until her attitude changes towards the end of the film.
Pepa and Félix are Mirabel’s quirky aunt and spunky uncle and are parents to Dolores, Camilo, and Antonio. I love these two and think their bond brings a fantastic representation to the Disney table.
Pepa’s gift is the ability to affect the weather with her emotions and Felix is her grounding force you never Can tell what mother nature has in store with an absolute certainty but you can be sure that pepa’s emotions swing like shutter doors in a windstorm and can often be unpredictable as well it’s fitting and I found it really sweet that he is the one for her and is simultaneously able to help calm her literal storm. I found it both amusing and wonderful that throughout this movie they normalized such a large range of emotions and you can pause the movie at any point on anyone’s face and see legitimate reactions granted I know that they are drawn characters but for kids to see real emotion is a wonderful thing it empowers them to feel what they feel and expressed that as such and I as a parent am 1000% here for it!
The youngest of the Madrigal clan, Antonio is shy with a huge heart. He has a special connection to Mirabel, relying on her for comfort and courage—especially on the day he is to unveil his gift. I find his connection to his cousin extremely sweet and I can see so many similarities between my son and his character so grateful for large families such as ours and the fact that my children will also know the support of their elders especially cousins! I just found him absolutely adorable throughout the movie and I truly believe that his relationship with Mirabel solidifies that she is the glue to the family and that in and of itself is her gift for me.
Camilo, Pepa and Félix’s middle child, was born to entertain. Throw in his magical gift that allows him to switch up his appearance to be whomever he wants to be in the moment, he’s definitely the life of any party because he can hold a 17 person play on his own. I admire that as someone who used to be a major part of theater however he does have some typical teenager attributes that had me rolling throughout the whole movie the budding self-confidence was a plus for me though! but this goes back to my comment about this movie being chocked full of legitimate expression, look at this kid every time he changes it is on point!
Dolores is Mirabel’s cousin who’s usually the first to know the town’s biggest secrets, most compelling drama, and juiciest revelations. She can’t help it: she was blessed with extraordinary hearing. Whisper if you will, but Dolores can still hear it!-
oh, I found it hilarious that she associated Bruno with the sound of falling sand which I understand because I mean look at his room the house is no longer powerful for Mirabel to assist in her journey to find his vision and it’s literally a wall of sand, I guess you could consider that ironic but between Bruno’s living within the walls of the house constantly throwing salt in superstition and complete life of secrecy I found her compelling and her comparison of him to be very fitting. this is one thing my family cannot relate to though because several of us have a hearing deficit as well as auditory processing disorder so as happy as I am for her I wish Disney had more representation for those who are differently able. still holding my breath for a Disney character that uses sign language.
Julieta and Agustín are parents to three daughters: Isabela, Luisa, and Mirabel. Julieta, one of Alma’s triplets, was blessed with the power to heal. Radiating warmth and kindness, her magic is found in the food she lovingly prepares for all who need it.
They always say a mothers love is healing and I guess that is accurately represented in Encanto. good job Disney moms everywhere are thanking you right now!
Meanwhile, Agustín is somewhat out of place, A man with no gift having married into the magical Madrigal family, I found myself well represented in him. I much like Augustin am clumsy yet well-intentioned always willing to help and doing my absolute best for those I love especially my children.
That sums up the family Madrigal and briefly explains our overjoyed connection to it. The 1hour & 39minute runtime was one of the best more “normal” firsts we’ve had with our kids and i’ll always be grateful for every second of it. Such precious memories made here and it sounds so refreshing to say that because you often don’t realize you are living the best days of your life until you are long out of them this one I don’t have to wait for. I know today these are the days I’ll consider some of the best of my life.
now I must say as a lover of the arts, and creative mind and since retired thespian myself this movie shocked me. it was absolutely beautiful in every way so vibrant and full of color and life, loud & booming, with astonishingly breathtaking music so fitting to the film that there was absolutely nothing I would critique or change the musical numbers were powerful inclusive, and impactful I will be singing the scores for years to come and I need this album in my everyday life. not only was the cast star-studded but the musical input and reference points were amazing Lin-Manuel Miranda did an amazing job but would you expect anything less from Hamilton?!
We ended 2021 in an eventful way stepping out of our comfort zone and doing something we hadn’t done before.
We visited JCPenney portraits not once but twice in the span of a month because Tator does what Tator wants. I’ve always been considered a “shutter bug” and it was no surprise to anyone around me that I wanted to book professional portraits. you could probably say I’ve done 20 sessions since my children came Earthside but these were my first with JCP.
We weren’t quite sure what to expect and went into everything knowing that it may not work out, especially since I have two very active yet reserved children with their own set of issues not to mention my own unorthodox set of challenges.
But to our pleasant surprise, they were extremely accommodating and welcoming even though we were anything but calm during the sessions.
My relationship with my grandmother is bar none I don’t know anyone who has a relationship like we do but I will say that after all she has done for me it gave my heart such joy to be able to surprise her with a four-generation photo shoot at JCPenney portraits paid for by my husband and me.
It was a dream of mine growing up to have good family photos including everyone that I love and unfortunately that didn’t become a reality until I became an adult myself so I made it a point to make sure that my children never had to long for what I desperately wanted.
It was a joy to document for generations with the third and fourth being my children and me.
More of a gift for me to be able to give something so special to the people that mean so much to me. My Grandmaw and my children, celebrating the importance of lineage, and the family connection so strong across 4 generations.
I’m happy to report that I was concerned about the outcome of the pictures for nothing because this gift and the following Christmas card shoot with just our immediate family went off without a hitch.
The purchasing process was very simple, the quality of the photos was impeccable,
And we had plenty of opportunities to purchase after the session as well with each gallery lasting 90 days in the Lifetouch shop.
We will definitely be long-term return customers, especially to our Mall of Georgia location JCPenney portraits.
Their affiliation with Lifetouch and willingness to go above and beyond to get the pictures that every family deserves is one of their biggest selling points
As a parent, I understand the desire to pause time and sit in a moment.
Savoring the little things before they quickly become a memory and JCP portraits does a fabulous job of making the impossible a reality. Capturing moments, freezing them- perfectly preserved in time because babies simply don’t keep.
Every family regardless of their struggles and challenges deserves that level of care and representation. I’m so thankful that we weren’t seen as an obstacle or challenge but instead an adventure and an opportunity to candidly photograph big bright personalities and celebrate our individuality.
This is definitely the start of a yearly Christmas tradition for us as we plan to make Christmas cards a yearly staple of our family festivities.
Thanks JCP!
happy holidays from The Tatorthoughts family to yours! we’ll see you in 2022!
