The Great Costume Debate

As some may remember, the little munchkin won the costume contest last year for her representation of a pink octopus.


She selected the costume herself and it was a big hit at the parties. So we sort of set the bar pretty high in our first "real" year out and now there has been much discussion as to what costume we will display this year.

Since the due date for the next irresistible bundle of joy is scheduled for Halloween day, I feel the need to button down and purchase this year's costume asap. The problem is, in typical kid fashion, the costume choice changes from hour to hour and day to day. Some top choices have been a bunny, Aladdin, Princess Jasmine, Leo from the Little Einsteins, and an elephant.

I took her to several costume stores and there was mild interest in a couple here and there but mostly unimpressed with the selection...on her part. I saw a half dozen adorable costumes to fit the bill but she confidently said, "NO." At our fifth store they had a super selection and impressive Halloween display. She thoroughly enjoyed all the decorations. "Look at that Mommy," she said, and "Oh, look, what's that?" Then she said, "I want to hold you," when we got to the scary, spooky decorations. Then the great wall of costumes. We finally selected two that were try-on worthy and headed to the dressing room. We put the first one on and she refused to take it off. "Are you sure this is the one you want," I asked. "Yes," she responds without hesitation. We head up to the check out counter, still wearing the costume, and pay for the empty packaging. As I was checking out, the lady says, it can be returned up to ten days before Halloween. She is experienced enough to know that the little one is likely to change her mind about 20 times before the actual holiday and God Bless the lady at the counter for her reassurance.

The excitement has already diminished on our selected costume since last week. I am fully prepared to just place this one in the dress up/costume box and pick up one or two more before the big day. That's just the way it goes as I try to plan ahead but it sure is fun to watch her imagination go and think up all the fun things she can pretend to be. I have one or two costumes in mind that I would like for her and I might just put one together and give her a choice of costume displays.