make peace... not war

alex wakes up-- moaning.

me- 'alex, what's wrong?'
a- 'it's hippie day and my principal says i have to dress up.'
me- 'alex. if you don't want to, no big deal. it's optional.'
a- 'nope. she said we must.'
he is not one to dress up. he dislikes anything itchy, bumpy, scratchy, tight, loose, pokey, etc.
the fit must be perfect. the socks must be just right. no collared t's, or shorts with any elastic/button waistbands.

hence the moaning.
he really believed it was a requirement.
so, we spent all morning finding articles of clothing
he would wear. we went through granny's costume bin. most
things he would say 'no' to, then start whimpering and rolling on the
bed. i told him i would write a note to the principal excusing him from
dressing up.
no dice.
we continued the process. he would veto the item, and i would
say, 'then don't dress up.'
finally, he agreed to a wig and bandanna. (which was hilarious- but i was out of ideas)
and sandals, 'cuz hippies don't like closed shoes'. i knew he'd go for that.
i told him he could just wear the wig for 5 min. while they voted, then ditch it in his back pack.
to make it more real i made the picketing sign. signs don't scratch.

bailey looked cute in her tie-dyed dress and we put peace signs and a heart on each cheek.
hair straightened, and parted down the middle.

we pulled up as the bell was ringing.
i giggled, watching them making their way up the sidewalk.
what a sight.

i thought about alex's reaction to what he was feeling this morning.
he wanted to follow the 'rules' he just didn't feel like he could pull
it off. bless his heart. i *hoped* they would both have a pleasant day of school.

**after school, alex walked to the car smiling and wigless.
he won for his kindergarten class! he got candy and
got to stand in the winner's circle. phew! no childhood damage done.
bailey was down. i guess kids told her she looked like she
was going to a ball. (??)
like he always does, alex shared his candy.
all was right.
then we headed
to the halloween superstore to look around.
it was a fun, stress-free afternoon spent with my kiddos.
we ALL needed that!