Select Page

wThe things we do for our kids; sheesh…..

If you have kids, you know what I’m talking about.  I haven’t learned to be organized, but I learned to be fast.    Avery asked me just yesterday, what she is going to  wear for Potlatch.   Now, if you don’t know what that is, I’m not surprised.  I have heard about it for years and already had one child go through it and I still don’t get it.  But the concept is quite simple.  It’s a Native American Celebration.

Potlatch is ‘actually’ a gift giving festival.  In this case, potlatch is a luncheon with fry bread, chicken, etc…..  At school the kids have been learning about Native American culture and they have actually had to earn ‘honors’ to attend the potlatch.  After you have achieved all your honors you are gifted this festival.

I got the flyer for donations late from my child; so I didn’t donate.  AND….I didn’t think about a costume.

You would think that having one kid go through this would spark my brain to remember some of the things needed from this day!  But alas, no.  Not my brain.  I’m on a need to know basis and my brain didn’t feel it was necessary to think about this.

I try to tell my kids that if they need something, then I need a heads up.  I’m not going to just ‘produce’ something, or go fetch something at the last minute; they need to be fair to me.

Apparently a costume is in order.  It could be extravagant, like a full indian costume.  Or modest, by simply wearing earth tones.  Unfortunately, my house is black and brightly colored, so now I have to figure something out.  Because Avery wants a costume, and I’m the only one who can make this happen…..  So My brain is scrambling at how to come up with something modest.  I call a friend to see if she has anything and she doesn’t.  But she told me she went and bought fabric and was going to put something together.  I told her I hated her.  Because put something together for her means the full regalia…..  Now the heat is on……

I headed over to the craft store and found some fabric that would be perfect.  Now, I just needed to know what to do with it.

I’m not good without a pattern; but I’m sure youtube will have some inkling for me.

As I’m making the costume, wondering what my child will think, I’m thinking she better just be happy that we have something brown in the house.  I basically made a pillow case and cut out arms holes.  Believe it or not, Avery was perfectly content with that.  And that made me want to try a little harder.  I decided to make actual arms so I sewed a few more lines.  When I cut the shape of the arms and put the dress on her for fitting, she breathed in with excitement and said, “Oh my gosh Mommy, it’s so pretty!!!”  And she ran off into the other room to share with daddy.  I hadn’t even cut the fringes at this point, but I was delighted my child was happy.

This is the same kid, who when I was making the renaissance dress for her and I realized I screwed up royally, she said, “I don’t care if it’s perfect, I’m going to wear it anyway!”

How could you not love a kid like that???  I’m trying to be perfect, and she just wants it to cover her tush…….

In the end, the costume is modest.  But it’s done.

One thing about Avery is she gets something in her mind and she can’t unthink it.  It has to be done on some level or we are in trouble!!!  The bad part about that is it’s rigid.  The good thing about this is her enthusiasm.  If she’s going, she’s going all in.

I appreciate that about her, even though that means more work for me.  Because you if you have to do something, you’d better do it.  But if you can do it with enthusiasm and excitement, it’s bound to be a lot more fun!   I can handle that!

Happy Wednesday!

1 Comment