Ninja and a...????

Nearly every child I run into at the boys' school or a friend's house says something along the lines of: "Guess what I'm going to be for Halloweeeeeennnnn????!!" And of course all adults play along because it's fun to see how excited the kids get.

My friend's daughter is going to be a tiger--because they say "RARRRRR" she told me. My other friend's son is going as "Handy Manny"...because he's, uh, handy, I guess? Or a cool Spanish guy? ;) Regardless, it's a riot to hear all of the stories right now.

And, in turn, kids and adults ask me what Rhys and Cole are going to be. This is where it gets fun.

My sweet, but full-of-energy Cole, shouts at every chance that he's going to be a NIN-JJAA! "Hiy-ya!" He originally was going to be a tiger, but a man can change his mind, you know.

Then there's Rhysie, my shyer, more artistic son, who in a quiet voice tells everyone he can that he is going to be a.....PRINCESS. And no, I'm not joking. Why? "Because they are so bee-u-ti-ful, mommy." This is the kid who is glued to Star Wars, but is wearing a bow in his hair as he watches. His favorite colors are pink and purple--in that order--but his favorite clothes are sports warm-ups.

So, there you have it, the quandry: do we make a big deal of it or just let him be happy as a pretty princess among a sea of ninjas, Diegos and otherwise "RARRRing" boy-like creatures?

Oh, what the heck, he's only 4, right? He's going to be a princess, dammit. Bring on the wand, the tiara, the earrings...thespian life, here we come.

Thankfully, I've got a great hubby who's cool (pretty much) with it. But man, you should see some of the funny reactions I get when I tell folks the costume of choice.

Most know my stories about Rhys, but I think they can't help but put themselves in my/our shoes and think what they'd do...and it's tough! Everything about our society says boys = manly and blue and girls = pretty and pink, so what do you do when you have a son who would much rather carry around a pink, Barbie fishing rod and a box of "treasures," including various barrettes borrowed from girls at school, ponytail holders, "gemstones," and My Little Ponies?

You crack the heck up, that's what you do! I laugh--not sure what else to do--and have to celebrate his adorable, cute self, because he just likes what he does. I have to admit, though, it does make me laugh to see all of the boys playing on the soccer field and there is Rhys, sitting on the lap of the coach's wife instead of playing.

What's a mom to do eh, but do his hair--he's got to look fab!
;)