Trick-or-Treat

This past August I was talking with my sister. It was a few days before Dustin, Jaden and I were going to trek 9+ hours in a car to go and visit her family for a week. We were discussing things we could do during our visit (as if caring for 4 children wouldn't be enough.) At some point the conversation went like something like this:

Ali: "I think I'm going to make Jaden a lion costume for Halloween."

Teresa: "That sounds good, maybe I'll do the same for Caleb. Let me look up some patterns on-line."

We then had a web-conference (the stay-at-home-mom kind) and found the "perfect" costume. Within three days, Teresa had secured the patterns and all of the materials necessary for the creation of the costumes. She was prepared for my visit.

I would like to let everyone know that I used to be able to sew. When I was in 4-H. When I was twelve. Those skills are more than a little rusty at this point. But, thankfully, my sister and mother are pretty much professional seamstresses. With their assistance at every turn, the costume was constructed in August and September. The last month and a half have been spent making the lion's mane. It seemed an exercise in futility. As I glued each of the four thousand ribbons on the lion's hood, I knew he'd never wear it. Each time we had a trial run he ripped the head off within three seconds. Then, I had an idea.

We live in the frozen tundra. Since September, Jaden has had to wear a hat each time he goes outside for safety reasons. So, when we got ready to trick-or-treat last night I matter-of-factly told him that he had to wear a hat outside. I broke out the lion's hood, and promptly secured it under his chin. He didn't look back. He wore the blessed costume.

I question what Jaden's opinion of this costume will be when he is eighteen. But, I couldn't imagine anything more adorable at eighteen-months. Thank you, Teresa. Thank you, mom. Thank you, Jaden.

Happy Halloween.