Engineer Coop & Old Puffer Pete Costume

My son Cooper (2 yrs 7 mos) LOVES the Disney Jr. show Chuggington. Old Puffer Pete is his favorite and when I asked what he wanted to be for Halloween he didn't hesitate, "Old Puffer Pete!" I cringed. Of course he couldn't ask for a readily available costume like Thomas. Pete would need to be constructed and after some thought and consideration, a light bulb went off. I used two cardboard boxes to build the frame. A disposable pie pan makes up the front, a shoe box filled with black pom-poms comprises the coal carrier and a cardboard tube cut down to size makes up the steam hull and roof. I used an empty paper towel roll for the steam pipe & a styrofoam cone for the whistle. Everything is held together with black duct tape and hot glue. I used black spray paint for the body and gold and red duct tape for the trip, roof and accents. A gold paint pen was used for small details. Of course, rainbow suspenders hold it on and I finished off the look by dressing Coop in blue pin stripped overalls, an engineer cap and red bandana for effect. Total costume cost in dollars (including engineer clothes) - $42. Total cost in time - 37 hours. Look on my son's face when he saw Puffer Pete in the living room - priceless.