Purim was coming (see next post for explanation). It's a holiday that involves dress-up. Chispa made herself a set of bunny ears early in the week and announced she was going to be a bunny. However, her teacher requested the kids be characters from the Book of Esther, they made crowns and such in class, and this avoided the penchant of some classmates to engage in fighting/warring/super-hero behavior.
Chispa was OK with this, she has plenty of inherited dress-up dresses, all those benighted princess ones that all little girls have presently. To make myself feel better, I cut off the little Disney insignia plastic doohickey on each one before they got into our house, as if that fooled Chispa. Anticipating that this could drag on in the morning, I suggested to Chispa she pick out her costume the night before. She informed me "I'll only know in the morning, I can't choose yet." I gave up and figured we'd just hope for the best.
However, that morning, it became clear that Chispa will only wear the one that is from her Cousin A (who is now 16). Why? Because it's the only one that isn't itchy. Chispa has a point. Have you FELT some of that polyester? Only problem is, the chosen dress is so long Chispa trips on it. It is not school-worthy. Her teachers would kill me, if Chispa didn't kill herself tripping.
As you'll recall, all change is bad. So hemming is really not an option. It involves change. We were at a total impasse. Brave mother that I am, I informed her we were hemming it, period. Naturally this was at 8:40am when school starts at 9am. I got out my thread and needle, measured it against the tantruming, screaming Chispa, and got to work. 6.5" basting hem, coming up. Chispa had to go have a fit in her room. Mr. H was wondering why on earth I was bothering. I explained that eventually, Chispa would see it worked better, and she was right, all the other dresses DO itch. So Chispa screamed. Changa played cheerfully. I sewed.
It came out really well, if I do say so myself, for a lightning fast basting effort. Chispa grudgingly announced that she would wear it. Clearly she saw her options were poor. However, she also announced she did not plan on having any fun. I know my Chispa. I agreed with her. I told her it was imperative she not have a moment of fun, not eat any treats, and be certain not to smile, all day at school. When she asked why I did such a terrible thing, I explained that it was my job to do horrible horrible things, like keep my daughter from killing herself tripping on her own dress. She admitted that maybe my parenting wasn't totally flawed. We all finally got in the car. I got Chispa laughing about how she REALLY HAD BETTER NOT HAVE ANY FUN. She got sulky at school again, so I told her teachers loudly that they should make sure she have no fun, no treats etc. Which also made her laugh. Oddly, she had fun all day, and was cheerful when I picked her up. I didn't get photos of this costume, so you'll just have to imagine. It's blue, it's the Cinderella one, it's kind of shiny nighgown material. And now Chispa can walk.
While Chispa was at school, we hosted playgroup, and a fun time was had by the few non-sick available playmates.
During it, I repaired Changa's most favored purple tutu (also from Cousin A). I brilliantly realized I needed elastic thread to avoid permanent repair jobs, and we had some, so I got to work as I chatted and we chased 2 year olds. It's a good thing my Mom made me take a year of sewing in High School. I don't sew whole outfits, but at least I know how to do basic repairs quickly, right?
That night was the rest of Purim, (see next post). And I was prepared for the bunny. I'd washed all the white clothes I knew she'd want to wear to be the bunny. You have to keep a few steps ahead of these people.
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