So - I did it.
I wish I could feel more excitement but I'm just so thankful that the whole silly project is finally over.
I am not crafty. Not in the slightest. However, I am fairly stubborn which worked in my favor when it came to completing this costume.
My procrastination started me off on the wrong foot - hello - who hordes boxes in the corner of their kitchen for a month - but ultimately my stubborn desire to finish this thing won out in the end.
There were late nights - early mornings - and wasted afternoons. Craft paint in yellow, orange and watered down version of black. Who knew that craft paint goes bad? I certainly didn't - and when I opened the bottle of black (which sat in my closet for 6 years) it plopped out in weird, gross clumps.
Shit.
That was all I could think - both literally and figuratively. It was the day before Halloween (okay - the night before Halloween) and there was no way I was haulin' bootie to Michael's for more. I had to make it work. So 5 coats later we had success - kinda.
Come to find out - Hayden hated the costume. Go figure, right? He actually cried (real, full crocodile tears) when I told him it was ready for him. He said he'd look stupid. He couldn't reach his hands around the box to hold his candy bucket. He was horribly off balance.
I was pissed. Real, hard core angry. I totally did something I thought I would NEVER do as a parent. I guilt tripped his little butt.
"What? You don't want to wear this costume? Are you kidding me? I spent the last week and a half working on it."
Hayden, through tears, didn't seem swayed.
"Everyone will think I'm a nerd."
Sigh.
I know I should have been a better Mom. I know I should have talked to him calmly - had him explain what he didn't like about the costume - see if we could figure out a way to make it better for him. Instead, I looked him in the eye and said fine.
Not the fine you say when things are REALLY fine - but the fine that really means NOT FINE AT ALL.
He knew. He started to back peddle like crazy.
"It's fine. I'll wear it. It will be okay."
I wasn't having any part of it. I remained firm in my "angry mom" stance. I told him he could go without a costume tonight and explain to everyone that asked why he wasn't wearing one. I called my Mom, in New York, and told her that Hayden hated his costume and refused to wear it. That he didn't appreciate all my hard efforts. That I finally understood why parents think their children are ungrateful.
It's because they are.
In the end - he is just a child - and I needed to remember that and put it into perspective. Maybe the costume WAS over the top. It was big, and bulky, and hard for him to move around it. But I was attached, dammit! I'd put hours of time into that bugger and, if I do say so myself, it turned out alright.
So - despite the tears and silent treatment - the night went on. He wore the costume and EVERYONE loved it. He got lots of compliments and even more candy. It was a good night.
I doubt I will attempt a home made costume again. However, thanks to the Internet and this blog - I'll always have photo-proof of my attempt at costume craftiness. Someday - when Hayden is older - he'll see this blog and hopefully remember the costume fondly - finally realizing all that went into making it a reality.
I can hope. :-)
Positively,
Kim
 |
| My Lego Mini-Figure Man! |
I wish I could feel more excitement but I'm just so thankful that the whole silly project is finally over.
I am not crafty. Not in the slightest. However, I am fairly stubborn which worked in my favor when it came to completing this costume.
My procrastination started me off on the wrong foot - hello - who hordes boxes in the corner of their kitchen for a month - but ultimately my stubborn desire to finish this thing won out in the end.
There were late nights - early mornings - and wasted afternoons. Craft paint in yellow, orange and watered down version of black. Who knew that craft paint goes bad? I certainly didn't - and when I opened the bottle of black (which sat in my closet for 6 years) it plopped out in weird, gross clumps.
Shit.
That was all I could think - both literally and figuratively. It was the day before Halloween (okay - the night before Halloween) and there was no way I was haulin' bootie to Michael's for more. I had to make it work. So 5 coats later we had success - kinda.
 |
| Black courtesy of Sharpie! |
Come to find out - Hayden hated the costume. Go figure, right? He actually cried (real, full crocodile tears) when I told him it was ready for him. He said he'd look stupid. He couldn't reach his hands around the box to hold his candy bucket. He was horribly off balance.
I was pissed. Real, hard core angry. I totally did something I thought I would NEVER do as a parent. I guilt tripped his little butt.
"What? You don't want to wear this costume? Are you kidding me? I spent the last week and a half working on it."
Hayden, through tears, didn't seem swayed.
"Everyone will think I'm a nerd."
Sigh.
I know I should have been a better Mom. I know I should have talked to him calmly - had him explain what he didn't like about the costume - see if we could figure out a way to make it better for him. Instead, I looked him in the eye and said fine.
Not the fine you say when things are REALLY fine - but the fine that really means NOT FINE AT ALL.
He knew. He started to back peddle like crazy.
"It's fine. I'll wear it. It will be okay."
I wasn't having any part of it. I remained firm in my "angry mom" stance. I told him he could go without a costume tonight and explain to everyone that asked why he wasn't wearing one. I called my Mom, in New York, and told her that Hayden hated his costume and refused to wear it. That he didn't appreciate all my hard efforts. That I finally understood why parents think their children are ungrateful.
It's because they are.
In the end - he is just a child - and I needed to remember that and put it into perspective. Maybe the costume WAS over the top. It was big, and bulky, and hard for him to move around it. But I was attached, dammit! I'd put hours of time into that bugger and, if I do say so myself, it turned out alright.
So - despite the tears and silent treatment - the night went on. He wore the costume and EVERYONE loved it. He got lots of compliments and even more candy. It was a good night.
 |
| My cute kiddos! |
I can hope. :-)
Positively,
Kim
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