“Those who matter don’t mind, and those who mind don’t matter.” Dr. Seuss
The mornings after Halloween are the only days of the year my kids get a hall pass to eat caramel apples for breakfast. The apples are healthy, which offsets the caramel, and the peanuts have protein, so the menu is justifiable. It amuses me to watch them peel sugar mats from their teeth. Their distraction also gives me time to raid what’s left of the Halloween candy.
Kate, my high-school junior, has out grown trick-or-treating but Maggie still wanted to go. She’s in eighth-grade and borders on the fringes of aging out. I’ve always accompanied my kids Halloween night. When the kids were toddlers my wife and I masqueraded as bee-keepers, hockey players, and clowns, fun stuff. Halloween is the one day when you aren’t expected to be yourself. Then again, maybe one’s true self comes out.
Maggie is almost a big kid and I knew my window of opportunity to trick-or-treat with her was closing. She invited me to chaperone, but only if I dressed up.
I wore speedos and cowboy boots.
HER: What?!? You can’t go like that!!
ME: I’m Michael Phelps.
HER: Eww…You don’t look like him. You’re TOO flabby.
ME: It’s muscle. Besides, I need to be with you in case there are weirdo’s out there.
HER: [Silence]
She usually talks a mile a minute but was dumbfounded. Parenting sure is fun. My costume was a hit though the after-effects may facilitate my neighbors’ visits to counseling sessions.
Dad’s, here’s how I created an awesome Halloween costume:
Hat = $2. Found one at a garage sale
Speedos = $15 (Bought a new pair, not used speedos. C’mon, I have standards.)
Tony Llama boots = FREE, found buried in closet
Time spent laughing with daughters = PRICELESS
I posted this photo on the Etc. Guy Facebook page yesterday morning. So far I’ve had about 300 views an hour and it’s still early in the weekend. There is power in the speedo. Please share my page if it makes a friend laugh. If I’m teased that’s okay. It’s the price I’m willing to pay to have a complete blast with my kids. They’re growing up fast and I just can’t get enough of them.
As for my wife, she thinks I’m a royal knucklehead and is afraid we won’t be invited anywhere for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
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Readers, you can share this below by clicking “share,” or also visit the Etc. Guy Facebook page at www.etcguy.com.
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Yep, I’ve been getting a ton of spam. Wish I had some answers for you. I try to filter like mad, then when I have a chance I review to see which comments are worthy of posting. I have thousands of ’em…bummer. Sorry I’m not much help. Good luck. Eric
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As a matter of fact I’m in the process of compiling and e-book on Kindle and hard copy (via Amazon). I’m pretty tied up at the moment but thanks, I’ll consider guest authoring. Eric
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Hi back, yes, you may follow me on twitter by visiting http://www.etcguy.com and clicking on the Twitter icon. Thanks for reading. Eric
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Hi back, I’m happy you enjoyed that story. My kids were traumatized but got over it. Visit my facebook page too via the link at http://www.etcguy.com. Thanks for commenting. Eric
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Thanks, sure appreciate your comments. Eric
Do you have any video of that? I’d want to find out some additional information.
Hah, no video available…my kids freaked out enough as it was. Must admit I didn’t make it very far. Sure was fun though. Eric
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Many thanks, I will. Sorry for the delayed response…been spammed. Eric
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Hey, many thanks. At this time I can’t afford to hire myself, so nope, not hiring any writers. Maybe some day? Eric
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Thanks, that’s why my dad calls me son…. Eric
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Hey thanks Michael. It’s a theme provided by the local newspaper, without modification. Appreciate your comment. Eric
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Don, thanks. If norcalblogs.com doesn’t work, try my site at http://www.etcguy.com and click on the RSS feed. Hope that works. Eric
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