Monday, October 26, 2009

Happy Halloween from Tokyo

Happy Halloween a little early! Since Bob's still out to sea, the girls and I ventured up to The New Sanno Hotel yesterday in Tokyo for their annual costume contest. We went last year, click here to see pictures, and wanted to go again this year since it was so much fun. Keanna and Sydney both won prizes last year, so I was also anxious to see if we could again; I made their costumes last year and did again this year. Another bonus last year was that Jon Voight was standing in the lobby shaking hands with military members and their families. He picked up Sydney and was swinging her around...she loved him! I was hoping he'd be back since the Tokyo Film Festival was going on through the weekend, but alas, no such luck.

Anyway, getting back to it, I made their costumes again this year; Keanna's wearing a spaghetti and meatballs costume and Sydney's costume is a bubble bath. People asked me where I got the idea for Keanna's costume. It came from the Food Network television show, "Ace of Cakes," but it's known at our house as "The Cake Makin' Show." It airs on AFN (Armed Forces Network) and in one episode they made a cake for a family like likes to travel. I don't remember the exact details since it was from a while ago, but they made a cake of spaghetti & meatballs and placed it on top of the northern hemisphere of the globe. At that moment it clicked and ideas started popping into my head. Big time thanks to Charm City Cakes in Baltimore for the inspiration!

We enjoyed the Sunday brunch and kept our fingers crossed when it came time for the costume contest. When we were getting our ticket and walking in two of the women, at the exact same time said, "It's the popcorn girl!" Keanna proudly said, "I was popcorn last year, this year I'm spaghetti and meatballs with bread and cheese." It was flattering!

Last year they had about 55-60 kids compete and this year over 95 were dressed up! Keanna & Sydney's numbers were 48 and 49, right smack in the middle, so I had a couple of minutes to get them dressed and
ready before being called.

Each of the four judge chose two winners. The prizes included a children's digital camera, two tickets to Disneyland Tokyo, an iPod Shuffle and a Nintendo Wii. They didn't have first, second and third place winners, they just announced the judge, where he/she was from, and what prize they were giving for their choice. When the judge from FOX TV Japan was announced she said her prize was a Nintendo Wii. Keanna immediately perked and when she heard her name she jumped with excitement, headed to the stage and collected her prize. To FOX TV, on behalf of Keanna and myself, domo arigato gozaimasu for your generosity.

After the contest ended they had trick-or-treating in some areas of the hotel. We walked around the lobby and to the shops, salon and pool on the second floor. The girls were constantly stopped asking for pictures and they didn't think anything of it! Some people even asked me to take pictures of them with the girls using their cameras. A Japanese woman who's English was nearly perfect asked if she could take pictures of Sydney's costume. She took at least 10 pictures from all sides and angles and asked if I minded her attempting it next year.

Sydney didn't win, a
nd that's okay. On the drive up there we talked about how it wasn't important...which it isn't. Don't get me wrong, I'm competitive and was hopeful, but my parents raised me to believe that it doesn't matter whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game...right Dad?! Keanna, Sydney and I all worked together to make their costumes. They did everything but use the glue gun, and it was a huge help to me. We had fun, talked and sang while we worked on the floor in the living room for the four or five days it took.

Hope you have a
Spooktacular Halloween and leave a comment sharing what you, your children or loved one is dressing up as this year!

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

You made those yourself? They are amazing. You should make and sell costumes. I would buy them for my children and I know other people would too. Congratulations on your much deserved win, and I commend you for the lesson you taught your daughters. Thank you to your husband for serving our country and to you and your daughter for sacrificing too.

Bethany from Oregon

Anonymous said...

I've followed you from BBC and remember the popcorn costume you made last year. You posted the directions for it, can you do it for these too? I'd love to see how you made them.

Sheila

Joe and Samantha said...

Their costumes were AMAZING :)

Anonymous said...

My family loves the costumes. Please tell us how you did it so I can attempt one or both of them next year!
New reader from Australia

Jamie said...

Great job!!! You're so creative.

newsjunkie said...

That's awesome! I remember when you made the bubble bath for Keanna in Hawaii.

I think you should sell the Wii to a friend. Seeing as you have one already... LOL.

Katie said...

Thanks everyone! I'll type up directions within the next couple of days and post them in a new entry. Both were fairly simple, just time consuming.

Sandy, I actually thought about donating it to Toys for Tots when the time comes. Haven't exactly run it by Bob yet though!

Unknown said...

Donating to Toys for Tots would be awesome. Or, you know, selling it to a friend in the states... ;)

Kidding, that would be very generous of you to donate it. I'm sure they don't get many gifts like that.

Federico Zarco said...

nice blog and pics..
Greetings from Buenos Aires.
federicozarco.blogspot.com

mandy_Reeves said...

cute costumes and happy they got a wii! I keep hoping my prize from the haiku contest shows up one day...it's not your fault, the neighbor probably got it by mistake, and never gave it to me.

Tiffany said...

You are so creative! I wish I had talent like that. :) Awesome costumes!