Themselves

Once again, we have made it through a busy October, finishing off with a day that so many associate with candy and costumes. And we are now no exception to the rule, we just choose to participate in a quite un-traditional manner.

Queen Elsa (Disney's Frozen) and Captain Kenway (pirate/adventurer) made appearances in classroom parties, then got freshened up for our Second-Annual Halloweaster Pinata Party.

Joined by their cousins, Super Spy Co2 and Queen Elsa the Second, they donned headlamps and sought treasures in the darkened front yard.

And thence traversed to the shop to hit at a dangling birthday present until it burst and let its contents fly about the room for gathering up.

And finally, before the grand counting of the loot commenced in the warmth of the fireside room, there were sparklers by the light of the moon, with remembrances of the festivities of July months past.

And once again, both sets of kids were so satisfied with the silly-fun-ness of our make-do holiday that they never once asked why they don't get to go door-to-door asking strangers for candy. And I call that a giant win for everyone.

Please know that I hold none of your traditions against you if you celebrate Halloween in the traditional manner. I might feel differently about it if we lived in a neighborhood of our own, but we don't, so this is what we do.

And now the story of the costumes... It was July, the day my girl and I were wandering the back aisle at our local Goodwill store. The day I heard her gasp so hard I thought she would suck all the air out of the room. The day she squealed in a not-very-her way "ELSA'S DRESS!!!". And sure enough, there it was, tucked into a section of passed-over prom dresses. Just my size, too, and at half price, only $7. Maybe I would be Elsa this year and let her dress up as Olaf... "Mama!" Okay, no... I guess not.

It sat in a pile on the floor of my sewing room for months before I finally brought myself to get out the scissors and cut all the extra length of satin from the bottom, but leaving the overlay of sparkly gauze to be her train. Then all it took was a few added hooks and eyes to cinch the back more tightly around her. Piece of cake.

The boy-child's costume was a bit more of a challenge, until I went back to the same Goodwill store and found the really ugly 1980's men's black leather coat for just $12. Out came the scissors again, cutting away sleeves and length to create his leather long-vest, and making him look much more tough than any 8 year old ought to look, who just dressed up as Sir Topham Hatt two years ago.

They were both thrilled completely with their costumes, and I was thrilled with the price tag. And the fact that they were two of the few represented in their classrooms that weren't wearing off-the rack getups. Score one more point for creativity!