Casperina the Friendly Ghost......or Not

This year Emily told me she wanted to be a ghost for Halloween. I thought that would be cute and googled how to make ghost costumes, printed out pictures, went to Wal-Mart and bought white remnants, and made what I thought was a really cute ghost costume. (white dress up dress for the base, top with a hood and hugs arms stitched with fabric that drooped way down cut into strips) I was crushed when Emily informed me that she didn't really want to wear it. This was on a Thursday night when she was going to a halloween party with her cousin, Esther. So I told her she could wear something else that night, but I had spent time and money on that ghost costume so she was going to wear it on Halloween! She went as Snow White to Thursday's party, and I tried to figure out what to do with the ghost costume that would help her want to wear it, since I didn't want her totally miserable on Halloween. Kind of defeats the purpose of celebrating.... I took another piece of white material, cut a whole in the middle, and put it over the original costume, making the whole thing more flowing.

Friday morning when she put it on, she liked it! I was happy that she was okay about wearing it to her class party at school. I didn't take pictures of her yet because I was waiting until Halloween night when she would have face paint on. But Friday afternoon when it was time to get ready for the ward trunk-or-treat, Emily informed me she didn't want to be a ghost and was going to be something else. I couldn't believe it!!! I guess girls start early changing their minds! She HAD already worn the ghost costume that day, so I decided not to make too big of an issue out of it, but I let her know I was hurt that she didn't want to wear the costume I made and wasn't going to help her with another one (that was childish.....and unkind) She came downstairs in an awful, too small old dress-up dress with shoes and no socks (and some fairy wings). She looked like, what I think my mom would call a rag-a-muffin. Anyway, I ate my words, went upstairs with her, and talked up this gorgeous pink dress she had that would go so nice with the fairy wings. (actually from her cousin, Abby) She thought and thought, and finally said, "O-KAY, I Guess that's alright." Whew! I whipped the pink dress out so fast and helped her put it on before she changed her mind. I couldn't believe she said okay, since she usually wants the opposite of what I suggest! Anyway, after a hairdo & some glitter sprinkled on she was magically transformed into a beautiful fairy, and we were on our way to trunk or treat!



After trunk-or-treat I took Emily trick-or-treating to the ward members on our street who hadn't been at the trunk-or-treat. Here she is with her stash.

We found out Justin didn't have candy at his place, so Emily picked out a bunch of her candy for him. We put it in a cute halloween bag and made a quick delivery to him, right before he headed out with some friends. That was fun, and I was so proud that she was caring and willing to share. We came home and watched "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium" with Emily, then after she was in bed, Dave and I watched a scary movie together, "The Invisible." It turned out to be a great day after all!