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Unfashionable Children
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A Hush Falls On Pumping Time
But I Waaaaant It
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The Shame of Store Bought
About a month ago, Felix started saying that he wanted to be a pumpkin for Halloween. Naturally I didn't take him seriously. He's not yet three. Anyone who makes any kind of investment of time or money or energy based on the fluctuating whims of a small child is some kind of masochist.
But I did mention his interest to a friend, saying that I was pleased he wasn't yet under the sway of cartoon characters (I have nothing against them, particularly, but I happen to like non-character costumes better). Anyway, my friend immediately told me that I was lucky because "pumpkin" is an easy costume to make, and she told me how.
And I forgot everything she said because I figured he would change his mind anyway.
As it turns out, he didn't change his mind. I have a pumpkin on my hands. And a store bought costume. This is a matter of some controversy, as Emily Bazelon writes in Slate (she's pro-store bought). I know many people who, for reasons of politics or craftiness or tradition or philosophy refuse to buy costumes and they give me pause. You see, I am from a home-made costume family. My mother was not one of those people who would spend weeks measuring and sewing. Her talent lay in making a good costume out of things that were handy and pulling it all together with a minimum of fuss and wasted time. I recall a fantastic mask made of construction paper and cotton balls, paired with a sheerling jacket turned inside-out to become a sheep (not a rain-proof one), and a really great Catwoman getup (also featuring construction paper). But I am harried and not so handy.
So I turned a blind eye. I told my husband that Felix wanted to be a pumpkin (after waiting long enough to be sure that this wasn't some passing fancy) and let him deal with it. It arrived in the mail. Sebastian is doing what I suppose a fair number of second children whose parents didn't make an outfit out of construction paper do: he is wearing his brother's first Halloween costume. I'm short on time, high on sugar... remember that bucket o' treats left at my door? It's been my nighttime companion.
posted by Elise at 6:17 AM
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