Since Halloween in NYC is practically a week-long event, we decided that we'd dress Peanut up as an underage Chinese Olympic gymnast for this past weekend's neighborhood festivities. In order to convince her to play her part, all we had to do was tell her that one of her several costumes this week was going to be "Princess Gymnastics." Naturally, the magic word there was "Princess." My four-year-old daughter is a total sucker for anything princess-related.
Needless to say, the Peanut's costume was a huge hit. On the back of her gymnastics outfit, we taped a fake birth certificate stating that she was really 16. However, even without the sign, most people figured out the costume right away and immediately started laughing their asses off. We can't even count how many people came up to us to say that hers was the funniest, most politically incorrect, and ironic costume they'd ever seen.
The only time we worried about possibly offending someone was when we ran into a group of Chinese tourists. As the fifteen of them passed the Peanut, BossLady and I tepidly held our breaths. At first, they seemed very serious and looked at the Peanut very closely. When she turned around and they saw her fake birth certificate for the first time, we were absolutely sure they were going to be offended. So imagine our surprise when they suddenly started laughing hysterically and asked, through their interpreter, whether they could take photos of her. Naturally, we let out a sigh of relief and obliged.
Parenting is hard work. We do it because we love our children more than anything and we want to raise them as best as we possibly can. That's why we endure the sleepless nights, the endless worry, and the relentless tantrums. But really, you've got to have a sense of humor about the whole thing.
Because until they're old enough to run out and buy you beer, being a comedy prop is one of the best things they've got going in their favor, right?
Happy Halloween!
This is seriously HILARIOUS. I am so totally impressed.
Posted by: Hilary | October 27, 2008 at 09:37 PM
I was hoping you'd do that. If only you had video of others' reactions. Perhaps this weekend such an uplink will appear? Lord, I hope so.
Posted by: muskrat | October 27, 2008 at 10:49 PM
that's just goddamn adorable!
Posted by: Jenny | October 27, 2008 at 11:19 PM
Oh. My. God. I don't think I've laughed that hard in a week. Wow. That's fantastic.
Posted by: Courtney | October 28, 2008 at 01:03 AM
Best costume ever!
Posted by: kingsley | October 28, 2008 at 02:25 AM
I LOVE your sense of humor, MD. Peanut must be so happy to have such a fun dad.
Posted by: janelle | October 28, 2008 at 08:50 AM
I'm so happy that you actually went through with it. Where the hell did you find that outfit?!? Well, I guess you live in NYC...You can find anything there! Hilarious!
Posted by: Liberal Banana | October 28, 2008 at 09:03 AM
best. costume. ever.
the end.
Posted by: ali | October 28, 2008 at 09:04 AM
Yet one MORE reason to have children---comedy props! By far, my favorite Halloween costume of the season. Well done!
Posted by: Javo | October 28, 2008 at 09:04 AM
So politically incorrect but so freaking hilarious! Plus, she's completely adorable.
Posted by: Fiona B. | October 28, 2008 at 09:06 AM
LOVE IT!!!
Posted by: Ashley | October 28, 2008 at 09:28 AM
I thought the idea was funny when you first mentioned it but the execution was flawless. Well done! Definitely the best costume I've seen.
Posted by: hapadad | October 28, 2008 at 09:36 AM
Bwahahaha!!! Funniest costume of the year!
Posted by: Nathan | October 28, 2008 at 10:43 AM
Doo-HOOOD!
Posted by: Ka_Jun | October 28, 2008 at 11:14 AM
That's hilarious. Glad the tourists dug it.
Posted by: Holmes | October 28, 2008 at 11:31 AM
I don't what you say, that, there, is funny.
You're funnier than I am!
I hate you.
(But, I did beat you fantasy football this week, so... I got that going for me.)
Posted by: L.A. Daddy | October 28, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Where have you been, man!!
So, the thing you worried about was that Chinese people would get offended about the costume, not the fact that she's actually Korean? Y'know they don't all look alike.
I may have to rethink my son's outfit. It's way too mainstream.
Posted by: Gray Matter | October 28, 2008 at 12:05 PM
I'm so jealous that I didn't think of doing something more subversive with my daughter's costume. Instead I gave into her whining about being a princess. Of course, when we get to the town party last weekend, every single 4-year-old was dressed as a princess. Or a ladybug.
Posted by: Bradley | October 28, 2008 at 12:09 PM
I swear, every single time I read this blog, it makes me glad to know that someone reaffirms that being a parent doesn't mean you got to go all fuddy duddy. Hahahahahaha, it's so wrong and yet so right. (Even if the poor Peanut is being borderline abused as you train her to be a Mets fan. I'm really more an agnostic when it comes to sports, but so be it.)
Posted by: Jae Young | October 28, 2008 at 12:13 PM
that's awesome! thanks for posting the picture.
Posted by: jeramy | October 28, 2008 at 02:36 PM
Your daughter is beautiful (and such a good sport for wearing the costume!)
Posted by: jennifer b | October 28, 2008 at 03:47 PM
That gymnast isn't even Chinese! She's totally Korean.
Posted by: Sarah | October 28, 2008 at 04:14 PM
D'uh, Sarah. That's part of the joke!
Posted by: Leora | October 28, 2008 at 04:19 PM
Best costume of the year!
Posted by: Janet | October 28, 2008 at 05:00 PM
Dude, if my quapa kid didn't have green eyes and dirty blonde curls, I'd totally be stealing your idea.
Posted by: Wendy | October 28, 2008 at 06:14 PM
That's just too wonderful.
Posted by: NG | October 28, 2008 at 07:13 PM
That is too funny! I hope no one yanks your spoils away on the 31st!
http://purplemouth.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Purple Mouth | October 28, 2008 at 08:14 PM
I for one am so glad you love the peanut enough to dress her up with such panache and the perfect shade of eye-shadow. Simply awesome.
Posted by: Erin@bride design | October 28, 2008 at 08:44 PM
I'm pretty sure that you're going to hell, MD. Which is great, because it means I'll have someone interesting to talk to, a la Dorothy Parker.
Awesome costume!
Posted by: landismom | October 28, 2008 at 10:00 PM
Outstanding and I agree, comedy prop is about all they bring to the table.
Posted by: A Free Man | October 28, 2008 at 10:23 PM
Great costume!~ with the gold medal somemore :)
Posted by: lil prince's mum | October 28, 2008 at 11:58 PM
Totally brilliant idea and flawless execution!
Posted by: Kimmy | October 29, 2008 at 08:59 AM
Ha! Love it!
Posted by: ali | October 29, 2008 at 11:32 AM
LMAO! I love it! Great idea!
Posted by: Kila | October 29, 2008 at 05:34 PM
That is brilliant.
Possibly the best costume I've seen all year. (with the exception of my kids', of course) :-)
Posted by: Rachel | October 29, 2008 at 08:32 PM
I told my friends about the Peanut's costume. They saw the photo and thought it was brilliant so they're going to do the same with their Chinese-American daughter. No way it compares to the Peanut. Kudos!
Posted by: Anna | October 29, 2008 at 09:26 PM
That is fantastic!
Posted by: Rina | October 29, 2008 at 11:03 PM
Crikey, you are freakin creative!
Posted by: Maureen | October 29, 2008 at 11:19 PM
You're one lucky dad :)! She's adorable!
Posted by: Pranjal | October 30, 2008 at 06:58 AM
That is absolute comedy GOLD. You are the best parents ever.
Posted by: SouthernBelle | October 30, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Your daughter is incredibly cute! I LOVE the costume.
Posted by: Madge | October 30, 2008 at 12:44 PM
Sheer genius MD!! Happy Halloween to you as well!!
Posted by: Waya | October 30, 2008 at 01:49 PM
HILARIOUS! I was wondering if you were actually going to do this.
Success. Sheer brilliance.
Posted by: Nicole | October 30, 2008 at 02:05 PM
I've been forwarding this photo to my friends and relatives. Everyone agrees that it's hands down the best costume of the year. Thanks for the laughs, Peanut!
Posted by: jamie e. | October 30, 2008 at 02:07 PM
HAH HAH HAH HAH........ upon looking at the picture of your daughter, I thought she was actually involved with gymnastics, that I wondered who was the guilty party to use too much eye shadow on her face.
realizing this is for halloween, THAT IS SOME FUNNY SHIT!
this is why I read your blog. I can read reading tidbits of your life where it's obvious that it is not hindered and you don't delve on this PC trend where people seem to walk as if they are walking on eggshells!!!
Posted by: | October 30, 2008 at 02:11 PM
So original. I love it.
Posted by: Vicky (Secret Mom Thoughts) | October 30, 2008 at 02:14 PM
Awesome, awesome costume! It only makes me wonder if, somewhere in China, there's a tall, goofy guy dressed up as Michael Phelps for Halloween!
Posted by: Rickster | October 30, 2008 at 02:20 PM
Brilliant!!!!!
Posted by: Emily | October 30, 2008 at 03:17 PM
You both deserve gold medals for this.
Posted by: alice, uptown | October 30, 2008 at 07:34 PM
best halloween costume 2008. wow. she REALLY looks like a 15 year old chinese gymnast, i mean, this is what they look like. perfect.
Posted by: beyond | October 30, 2008 at 08:09 PM