It was Halloween 2005 and my oldest daughter was three. It was the first time she was really able to understand the concept of the "holiday," decide for herself what costume she wanted, and articulate those wishes.
The first time someone asked her in that sing-song voice people often use to speak to children, "And what are you going to be for Halloween?" she responded clearly and emphatically. "A frog," she answered.
I really have no clue where she got the idea. Perhaps it was a precursor to her love of animals that is so very prevalent now. Perhaps it was just something she had seen on TV or read in a book. I was certain, however, that when the question was asked again, she would reply with some new, imaginative answer. I was wrong.
For at least two weeks, she gave the same answer every time someone asked the question. She obviously had her heart set on dressing up as a frog for Halloween. I was impressed by her commitment and imagination. Since my degree was in child development, I analyzed her thought processes and dissected her communication skills. I was one proud mama and I was determined that she would have that frog costume.
(I should interject here that I am NOT crafty at all. If a frog costume was to be had, it would have to be purchased - not creatively made by me. I should also state that, as a young mother, I had no idea how ridiculously difficult it would be to find a stinking frog costume!!!)
We were living in Nashville at the time and, over the course of the next week or so, we scoured the city for the elusive costume. I searched online. Then, we visited store after store after store. Finally, we found an adorable frog costume and happily (well, a little begrudgingly but mostly happily) shelled out a whopping $50 for it.
Was it worth it?? You be the judge.
I think she made just about the cutest little froggy anyone has ever seen. (Yes, I am a bit biased, I know.) After all that searching, her little sister got stuck with the hand-me-down, generic, fuzzy jack-o-lantern costume, but she was pretty dang cute, too, huh??
That little frog is now an eleven year old vegetarian who loves animals immensely and plans to be a zoologist when she grows up.
Back then, I/we went to great lengths to find the perfect costume and make our little girl happy. As I've traveled through motherhood, I've realized that I cannot always make them happy. Sometimes, what is best for them is not what makes them happy (or what they think will make them happy). However, I will always go to great lengths to give them everything they need - physically, emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually. I will go to great lengths to keep them safe and to teach them what they need to be successful. I will go to great lengths - to the end of the earth, if necessary - to make sure they know they are loved. Luckily for me, though, sometimes all it takes is a really cute costume.
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Just for kicks, here's what they looked like last year. Obviously, the frog grew up and turned into a witch who highly dislikes having her picture taken. The little pumpkin turned into a butterfly and we added a princess to the family, too! :-)
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Here's to hoping that you and all of your little trick-or-treaters find just the right costumes this year!
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This post was written as part of Finish The Sentence Friday and the prompt was "One Halloween I..." FTSF is hosted by some wonderful blogging ladies. Please give them a visit and check out all the other blogs that participate as well!
Janine at Janine’s Confessions of a Mommyaholic
