Unfortunately for us and (possibly) fortunately for Isabel, this is probably the last year we will be able to select Isabel’s costume for her. So we picked Dottie Henson (Gina Davis’ character from A League of Their Own). She looked like a true Peach! This is the type of girl who would drop a ball on purpose in the World Series to help her sister.

This year, we traded in our Halloween parties for more wholesome activities like family pumpkin carving. Her favorite part was playing with the slimy seeds in the bowl and drawing on the back of the pumpkins with a sharpie. In past years, we tried to get a cute picture with Isabel in one of the pumpkins and continued despite her less than enthusiastic response. This year, we asked her if she wanted to go in the pumpkin and she said no. But…then she changed her mind after her bath and before bedtime in an attempt to stall. Wisely, Jake and I didn’t take the bait and let her manipulate us into a few more minutes awake as she no doubt would have reneged on wanting to get in the pumpkin. (Note: jake’s pumpking is the one on the far left and was done entirely with a Dremel power tool)

Finally, Halloween day arrived! I woke up happily and put on my Tigger onesie that I would wear to work. When I went upstairs to wake up Isabel, her first words were “No Costume, Dad!” I was crushed. Jake was still home and we dug through and offered her at least 4 different costume options for school - mermaid, soldier, captain america, or astronaut - each was met with the same ‘No’ response. Where was her Halloween spirit??? I thought we instilled a love of costumes.

After school, we had the same problem getting her into her Dottie costume, but this time we were prepared! BRIBERY! We calmly explained that if she wasn’t in costume, no one would give her candy. Soon enough, our Peach was ready to go! She walked (and sometimes ran to catch up to her bff Joss) between houses and got that candy!

When I would ask her “what do you say?” (I meant ‘trick or treat’) she would respond “Please!” and sign please across her chest. While it wasn’t what I was getting at, I couldn’t help but smile. By the end of the night, she was nailing “Trick or treat please” and “thank you”. Such a proud dad.

I had this conversation multiple times:

Me: Isabel, who are you?

Isabel: I’m Isabel! I’m two! (holding up only 1 finger)

Me: yes yes. But who is your costume?

Isabel: Dottie Henson!

Happy Halloween from the Kleinmahons!