Friday, October 3, 2008

The Halloween Game Plan

So I mentioned that I do love Halloween(if only for all the cute scrapbook stuff, but hey whatever) But there is always the issue of the costumes. Teagen is easy(so far) she wears whatever Summer wore at that age, and I just tweak it a bit to make it her own. And last year we had costumes from my Aunt Julie that she still had from her girls. Summer was Minnie Mouse and Tea was the sweetest clown. This year Teagen will be wearing the woodland Fairy outfit, all I have to do is make her a head wreath of ivy and dried hydrangea blossoms from the yard. And we still have the elephant costume that Grady can wear. So that's good. Summer on the other hand is a different story. What she wants is to be a Native American girl. NO clue where this came from(we have not watched Pochontas in years)And of course I found the most BEAUTIFUL costume online for $40! I cant help but to think of all the other "regular" clothes I could buy her with $40, and with me not working...I try to skimp where I can. But I have a bit of a soft spot for dressing as an Indian girl. Allow me to explain.


When I was in the 2nd grade, my class was to have a Thanksgiving Program. The teacher was assigning parts and there were several for Indian Girls. Even though my mom had recently cut my hair short, I wanted to be a little Indian Girl with braids so bad! When it was my turn to be assigned a part I was told I would be a yam. Yes, a yam. OK so at 7 years old, I had no clue what a yam was and actually believed it was some kind of animal, like a ram, and though that it was cool that I was at least an animal of sorts. My mother later cleared that up for me. I was fully informed that a yam was indeed a sweet potato from the traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Well, I was not going to be any kind of potato, sweet or otherwise! My gawky, toothless self went to the teacher the next day and asked for a different part. A few kids had 2 parts and I knew that Jocelyn had 2 parts one of which was an Indian girl. She of course was perfect in every way, with the long dark hair and the works. A stunning girl. But I was after her Indian girl part. Instead I got her other part which was a child of the world and I had to dance around with a smelly boy in my class. I got to wear a dress, but I was not happy. And Jocelyn was quite happy to play a yam as her 2nd part. Who knew a 2nd grade teacher could make such damaging decisions? So my dreams of being a little Native American girl have gone unfulfilled. I, of course, cannot have Summer live through such devastation.( I am going to stop here so as to not risk sounding like a complete pageant mom living precariously through her daughter)

Lucky for me that if I do decide to forgo the store-bought costume, Summer is highly suggestible. Last night, I think I talked her into being a farmer and all I would need to find is a straw hat! I also like the idea of a gypsy, and I believe I could wrap that one up at a thrift store. I am again cursing myself for not being able to sew(well).

Oh, but could you imagine the photo ops for an Indian Princess and a Woodland Fairy? That's like Heaven to me;)

7 comments:

Jennifer Witham Buck / Graceful Expressions said...

I cannot wait to see pictures and the pages yet to be scrapped!
I really enjoyed your post - but had to laugh because I think I was in second grade when I was a Native American girl, and my mom made the best costume, complete with headwrap and feathers. I think I was Sacajewea (who led Lewis and Clark - remember, I was living in St. Louis at this time and that was part of our "Missouri History" lesson.) Plus I was obsessed with Little House on the Prarie and I am sure that played into it. I will have to ask my mom to dig out a picture...Lord, she may even have the costume! Let me know if you want me to keep my eye out in GR for anything (the Disney store is at Rivertown) Or, if you want a costume made - we can always ask my mom or my brother-in-law's mom (in Chicago) runs a doll clothing company for American Girl Doll Clothes so I would not mind asking...
My niece, Emma (Annie's little girl who is 2 and 1/2) is going to be a Flamingo, and my mom is helping with that costume... I think that she will be the only Flamingo in Grandville!

Jennifer Witham Buck / Graceful Expressions said...

PS - A sewing machine is on my list for Christmas and my mother-in-law already spilled it that she bought me one... so we may just have to spend a Saturday afternoon at my mom's house in NM for a sewing lesson. She promised she would teach me - she would probably love to teach both of us!

Theresa said...

I have 3 with a mind of their own. I am not even sure yet what they want to be for Halloween!!! I guess I'd better find out RIGHT? But last year we just went through my Mom's Halloween wardrob(yeah i know, I cannot spell!!!) We found 2 outfits (one boy, one girl) for indian (wasn't for a princess or anything like that) or cowboy or something like that ( a vest and skirt and some head things! and they just wore jeans!!!)...I'll have to search my pics from last year. and Mandy is going to let me borrow a Kangaroo for Ben...I hope he wants to be one!!!

well good luck on your search for your costumes!

Mandy said...

I am totally voting for the farmer! Sounds soo cool, and I can picture summer as a farmer! Whatever happens I am sure it will be fabulous!!

Kristin said...

I am so not laughing at you right now, I promise, it is just a smile:)! I think she should be the indian and I think you should just buy the costume. It is what she wants, it would "fill" your void, and Teagen can wear it in a few years. Money WELL spent!!! Besides, who says a pale blonde hair girl can't be the best indian ever??? Ashley and Isaac (both very pale with RED hair) are 18% indian. Yes, my father-in-law has it down to a percentage...crazy!!!

Halloween should be a fun time (one fo your favorite holidays, remember:)!) don't stress out...enjoy!

For the record, do I need to beat up a girl from 25 years ago or a teacher?...I so will:)!

Jodi said...

I am laughing! Not at you or your damaged youth, but I have to be honest and tell you the yam thing is funny. I can relate, but again, it isn't at you, it is your interpretation of the scenario. I am inclined to believe you can do a cute Indian Girl costume on your own without the sewing machine for under 40.00. This, coming from the mom with your beliefs, who is still buying an internet costume for her middle child this year!!

Jodi said...

FYI...I love your new header!