I've always enjoyed Halloween as a kid, and even more so as a parent, creatively concocting costumes. Yet, in choosing halloween costumes this year, it is quite a conundrum.
Quite Frankly what goes with a mask?
“Mommy,” my little girl questioned, “did Cinderella wear a mask? How about Snow White?”
“Not exactly,” I thoughtfully answered. “That might not look very, well ,princessy," was the best I could do.
“Let’s think…..”
What costume could incorporate a mask?
"How about an early pioneer, coming on a covered wagon through a dust storm." was the best I could do.
“No mom, that’s not pretty,” she emphatically stated.
"Okay,” brainstorming , “a pirate that wears big earrings?”
“Mommmm,” she replied quite frustrated, ‘that’s a boy!’
Never realizing how hard a simple halloween outfit would be, I was at wit’s end.
“Okay, hold on. How about a princess bandit, wearing a beautiful dress like Snow White?”
“But why is this princess bandit wearing a mask,” she questioned.
“Well, because,” now really pulling things out of my arsenal, “because this princess bandit is being chased by the witch, so she’s wearing a disguise,” I kept speaking like I was trying to talk my way out of a ticket, wondering if she was buying this bologna sandwich.
“Mom, that’s a great costume!’ A Princess Bandit!”she announced suddenly excited.
Relieved I was selling her on my scenario , I added, “Then I’ll go super scary!”
“What mom!” She excitedly jumped, ‘what are you going to be?”
“I am going as a mom without a mask. When they answer the door, if they get scared and drop the candy, you grab it, remember your manners, say thank-you, and run!”
“Just like a princess bandit!” She enthusiastically replied.
“Exactly,” finally relieved that I had resolved the Halloween conundrum.