JacobD2

Why do we do it? Surely we aren't the only ones, but it's happenend again. It's got to be one of our built-in parental survival skills of some sort. Whether it's science projects, birthday cakes, pinewood derbys (I can't wait!), or, in our current case, Halloween costumes, we as parents seemed to get sucked up in the momentum of a project that somehow no longer means anything to the kid!!

Jacob has a Star Wars birthday party tonight. The kids are invited to dress up and they'll watch the old Star Wars movies and cut off each others hands etc. A seven year-old's dream come true! So Jacob happens to mention he'd like to be R2D2. With Halloween approaching, we decided we might as well figure out a costume for him that he can wear to both. 120 hours later, half of which have been spent actively creating this darn costume, the birthday party can go on because we are finally finished!! (OK, we didn't spend 60 hours on it, but it seemed like it!) Phil made a very sturdy frame and helmet at work, making various luxuries like arm holes, shoulder straps, and arms that really swing back and forth. He did a great job! I was in charge of decorating, taking special care to follow as closely as I could to R2D2's pattern. We finished last night as we watched the VP debate and felt great satisfaction in our hard work (or maybe that was relief that we were finally done.)

So here's the kicker. We know once he puts it on, Jacob is not going to like the thing. He will try it on and take it off after about 5 minutes, being altogether bored with the idea and wanting to be something else. This isn't the first time it's happened, and it won't be the last...but doesn't this costume look great!!!

You'd better believe one of us will be wearing this costume for Halloween. It might be Phil, but it WILL get used!