Tonight was the big night. Costumes, candy, and of course trick or treating. The night went rather smoothly, which is good because after the morning we had I was afraid for the rest of the day.
This year Riley's daycare opted to not allow the children to wear their halloween costumes, instead they were to come dressed as a storybook character. This was further restricted with a statement somewhere along the lines of "please do not let your child wear anything that might be troublesome to deal with or is a costume." Now, try explaining to your four year old that they cannot wear their butterfly costume to school, but that they need to dress up as a storybook character. As you can imagine, the idea was not well received. To add to the mix, dance class (which asked for costumes to be worn- a great compromise) was canceled after bedtime.
Riley awoke in her normal fashion, head buried under anything that will keep the light away with communication being downgraded to grunts and grumbling. I gently told her that she would not have dance class today; immediate tears ensued. Every idea I pitched to her for a character was shot down. "No, those are real clothes--not a costume." It was a calgon moment, I wanted to be taken away. I went to the guest bedroom closet hoping to find a compromise. I opened the door and like the lights shining down from heaven there it hung. Riley's red dog sweater, the snyapses started firing and the idea came quickly. "Riley, what about going as Emily Elizabeth and you carry your puppy as Clifford the Big Red Dog?" I hit pay dirt. Hallelujah! One red sweater, one blue skirt, and a comprimise of a pink sequin shirt and voila! Emily Elizabeth went to school.
This year Riley's daycare opted to not allow the children to wear their halloween costumes, instead they were to come dressed as a storybook character. This was further restricted with a statement somewhere along the lines of "please do not let your child wear anything that might be troublesome to deal with or is a costume." Now, try explaining to your four year old that they cannot wear their butterfly costume to school, but that they need to dress up as a storybook character. As you can imagine, the idea was not well received. To add to the mix, dance class (which asked for costumes to be worn- a great compromise) was canceled after bedtime.
Riley awoke in her normal fashion, head buried under anything that will keep the light away with communication being downgraded to grunts and grumbling. I gently told her that she would not have dance class today; immediate tears ensued. Every idea I pitched to her for a character was shot down. "No, those are real clothes--not a costume." It was a calgon moment, I wanted to be taken away. I went to the guest bedroom closet hoping to find a compromise. I opened the door and like the lights shining down from heaven there it hung. Riley's red dog sweater, the snyapses started firing and the idea came quickly. "Riley, what about going as Emily Elizabeth and you carry your puppy as Clifford the Big Red Dog?" I hit pay dirt. Hallelujah! One red sweater, one blue skirt, and a comprimise of a pink sequin shirt and voila! Emily Elizabeth went to school.
Following a long day of work, Tim and I met at home to execute "Operation Trick or Treat." By 6:45 pm both girls were fed and suited up. Tim had his Halloween Trick or Treating cigar and I was in these ridiculous purple wings Riley asked me to wear. Around the block we went. Trick or Treat!
