How to Make a Halloween Costume in Bosnia, II

Isaac knew exactly what he wanted to be, a character from the computer game that is his current obsession: Starcraft. Since I have never played Starcraft and have no desire ever to do so, I told him he would have to draw me detailed pictures of what he had in mind.

He went one better and made it himself. This is his Starcraft Marine costume.



I believe wholeheartedly that the best costumes are kid-made ones, and I was really proud of him for doing it all himself. But.




But I also couldn't stand it. It looks so thrown-together. So much like his mother neglects him.

David wisely counseled me that it doesn't really matter what other people think as long as Isaac liked it. And he did. He loved it. So I metaphorically sat on my hands for days.

Finally, the day of our first Halloween party, I suggested to him that I buy some tin foil and cover it with tin foil so it would look metallic. "No," he said. "I don't want that. The only thing I would want is for it to be brightly colored."

I seized upon that idea. "Do you want me to paint it?"

He shrugged. "You can if you want." And I wanted, so I did. (And then used the paint water for Eleanor's face.)It's a compromise I'm very happy with: kid-made costume without his looking like a neglected child.


Nobody at the party knew what he was, but he didn't mind. And I decided I kind of like his costume.