It all started in early September when we happened to be at Old Navy when they put out their halloween costumes (that place has the greatest costumes remember this one, and this one - love that place). It was late and julian was a zombie in the stroller and anxious to go home so in retrospect it probably wasn't the best time to introduce the concept of a costume. We thought we'd let him pick, but he was cranky and tired and didn't want any of it so dada and I picked them out and brought them home.
The next morning, while we were having breakfast, I excitedly remembered the costumes in the bag by the door and went to get the fireman costume to show it to him. The look on his face was of total shock and horror and he burst into tears and started pushing the costume back in the bag. He really didn't want to wear it. Heck, he didn't even want to look at it and quite frankly didn't understand why we brought it home from the store. That's when we knew it would be a hard sell ;0)
So we've been building up the costume since, trying to make it cool little by little. First it was all about how much fun it it to pretend and wear costumes -- it's just like on the Backyardigans! Then it was about how cool firemen are and how they spray water from hoses. Then grandma brought some books about firemen from he class (she teaches first grade). And this week it was all of the above everyday! And it worked because as soon as he woke up this morning and told him it was actually today, he couldn't wait to get on his get up :0)
Grandma and grampa came over for supper and to man the fort and give out our candy while we went trick or treating with our neighbours and their kids. Julian was so delighted, the sheer look of joy on his face was so heart-warming as he came down the steps with his bag of candy. I don't even think it was about the candy for him (he didn't even ask for any), it was about the decorations and walking around outside at night with his friends Patrick and Emily!
We hadn't gone half a block when what do we see at the corner of the street but a firetruck with real life firemen! They noticed Julian right away and came over to talk to him about how great his costume was and about how he had good boots to put out fires. They noticed his hat had a fire chief symbol on it and told him how special that was. They let him see their helmets. And then they even let him stand on the truck! It was the perfect ending to a perfect evening.
And what a bout Lolo? Well he didn't mind his hotdog costume at all so it took less convincing ;0)
Next time: Peace Baby, Baby! Dada needs another weekend to finish the site to host it and I need to go over the pattern a few more times...I don't want any errata in there. But Monday November 5th it is ;0)
