We were headed to a halloween party at our church and, unlike some of you perfect parents out there, I haven't purchased the pieces for the kids' "real" costumes, yet. Since Peanut and Bean have enough costumes to transform every child within a two mile radius, I felt confident that they would find something fantastic in the Ikea bins, upstairs.
Before I continue, let me mention that after a lifetime of being involved in theater - I have a true love for costumes. Seeing people turned into a plant, animal, or mythical creature is akin to some kind of crazy magic. I, myself, have been hired to design and/or costume children's theater productions for many years (okay- OKAY! Those who really know me will want me to mention-in full disclosure- that a lot of those costumes were sewn with a glue gun. In all fairness, it's really hard to sew foam!).
MacG and I were sitting on the couch, when we heard, "We're ready for the costume party!" My daughter's sweet little munchkin voice was proceeded by her appearance, as Elphaba - that's the Wicked Witch of the West, for those of you who haven't been acquainted with the musical, "Wicked".
"You have to paint me green!" She cackled. I agreed.
Then came Bean. We could hear him thumping uncertainly down the stairs and craned our necks to see what fabulous character he had chosen.
My son had decided to attend the church costume party, as a Cardboard Box.
Peanut had "designed" the getup. It had a large box with armholes for the suit and a smaller box with eyeholes for the mask. She had drawn a mustache on the front of it.
A Cardboard Box?!
I am ashamed to admit the next part:
I said, "Wow, guys. Really...uh...creative. You couldn't find a real costume to wear?"
*Ouch* I feel awful for having said that. Thank goodness Peanut responded with:
"This IS a real costume, Mom. I worked really hard on it." Bean nodded his square head.
Well, okay, then.
I painted Peanut's face (and the inside of her ears and back of her neck: it had to be right. It was really hard to remove.) green and off we went. My children had been thinking outside of the box, while creating this recycled facade. My son was now, literally, thinking inside of the box - and I had to deliver him to the party in his new, square state.
Bean was disturbed that people kept mistaking him for a robot. "I. AmaBOX!" He would correct them.
After some spooky fizzy punch and carnival games, came the costume parade. Ian donned his mask - it's pretty difficult walking around with a box on your head - and joined the circle.
The kids walked around in circles and a microphone voice called, "And now, the judges will tell you what they've decided."
You mean the costumes were being judged? *Sigh*
"For funniest costume: The Box!"
Bean went to accept his award and I was flooded with pride (and guilt for having tried to talk him out of wearing it). Peanut spent the remainder of the evening bitterly telling anyone who would listen, that the concept was hers, dammit (all right, she didn't say "dammit" - she's only eight - but you could hear it in her voice)! Bean agreed to share the chocolate bar that he had won and all was well.
This was my latest lesson on not trying to stop my kids from being creative and unique. Sometimes it's a hard lesson to learn...
Luckily, my children are very persistent and persuasive.
And creative and unique.
Then came Bean. We could hear him thumping uncertainly down the stairs and craned our necks to see what fabulous character he had chosen.
My son had decided to attend the church costume party, as a Cardboard Box.
Peanut had "designed" the getup. It had a large box with armholes for the suit and a smaller box with eyeholes for the mask. She had drawn a mustache on the front of it.
A Cardboard Box?!
I am ashamed to admit the next part:
I said, "Wow, guys. Really...uh...creative. You couldn't find a real costume to wear?"
*Ouch* I feel awful for having said that. Thank goodness Peanut responded with:
"This IS a real costume, Mom. I worked really hard on it." Bean nodded his square head.
Well, okay, then.
I painted Peanut's face (and the inside of her ears and back of her neck: it had to be right. It was really hard to remove.) green and off we went. My children had been thinking outside of the box, while creating this recycled facade. My son was now, literally, thinking inside of the box - and I had to deliver him to the party in his new, square state.
Bean was disturbed that people kept mistaking him for a robot. "I. AmaBOX!" He would correct them.
After some spooky fizzy punch and carnival games, came the costume parade. Ian donned his mask - it's pretty difficult walking around with a box on your head - and joined the circle.
The kids walked around in circles and a microphone voice called, "And now, the judges will tell you what they've decided."
You mean the costumes were being judged? *Sigh*
"For funniest costume: The Box!"
Bean went to accept his award and I was flooded with pride (and guilt for having tried to talk him out of wearing it). Peanut spent the remainder of the evening bitterly telling anyone who would listen, that the concept was hers, dammit (all right, she didn't say "dammit" - she's only eight - but you could hear it in her voice)! Bean agreed to share the chocolate bar that he had won and all was well.
This was my latest lesson on not trying to stop my kids from being creative and unique. Sometimes it's a hard lesson to learn...
Luckily, my children are very persistent and persuasive.
And creative and unique.
No comments:
Post a Comment