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I went clothes shopping for my four-year-old daughter a few weeks ago. We found some adorable outfits on clearance from Boscov's, which was going out of business. I was so excited when the weather turned colder because she could finally wear them, but was sorely disappointed. The shirts were so skin tight I could hardly get them on, and the jeans were low rise. Every time the poor girl bends over or plays on the floor, the top part of her bum is out there for everyone to see. Even finding dresses that are a decent length are difficult to come across. I realize not all girls are as energetic as mine, but when my four year old gets to running around in church before Sunday School starts, she forgets what she's wearing and the skirt flies up. A lower hemline would certainly help. Thank goodness tights season is upon us. At least her polka-dot undies won't show again until spring! What part of "little girl" are the clothing manufacturers missing? Four-year-olds are not teenagers, for crying out loud, and I have no desire to make mine look like one, but it has become increasingly difficult for me to find decent fitting, modest clothing for her. Must I REALLY whip out my sewing machine and somehow learn overnight how to sew something appropriate for her, or worse, spend big bucks a children's boutique? Okay, enough about that. On to rant #2. It's halloween time again. Now...I am not here to examine whether or not a Christian should participate. There are plenty of websites to go to for that, and I don't want to be one of them. I remember going trick-or-treating as a kid. Kooky Spooks comes to mind (anyone remember those? Perhaps I need to post an old pic)! My dad once wore a sheet and hid behind our bushes on mischief night. Whenever the boys in our neighborhood attempted to soap our car's windows or toss toilet paper over our trees they were met with a surprise that sent them out of their skins! I have lots of good memories, and memories are what I long to make for my kids. Unfortunately, the only halloween memories they've made so far THIS year are images of an eight-foot-long inflatable of the grim reaper riding a carriage pulled by a huge black horse with red eyes. That's on display at the entrance of the local grocery store I won't be able to take my kids to until November. My middle son, in particular, is frightened by it. I'm not quick to blame it on Asperger's, but I'm sure it doesn't help. I just wish that retailers would keep the littler ones in mind when they put up their displays. One house down the street used to be inhabited by a rather eccentric family that went all out for halloween. Their front yard was like an outdoor haunted house complete with Michael Jackson's "Thriller" blasting on outdoor speakers. My little girl, then two, was terrified to even go past the house. During my childhood the scariest thing I think I ever encountered while out begging for candy was a jack-o-lantern. Totally lame by today's standards. I know that the temptation is to up the scare factor in order to achieve new heights of complete and utter terror, but are we as citizens forgetting who the halloween festivities are for? It's for the kids...right? Perhaps, just perhaps, I myself am turning a blind eye to what the whole "holiday" represents. The emphasis on witches, ghosts, goblins, and the glorification of gory killers in the movies...is this honoring to the Lord? But there I go. I wasn't going to bring up a debate. Sigh...I am done now. I feel better. |
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