Tigers and Heros

Yesterday the little guys at the nursery school had their annual costume parade.  I was pumped, but maybe not as excited as Matt, who thinks kids in costumes are hilarious.  There were some very funny moments, as these kids are 2-5 years old and unpredictable and adorable.  

Plenty of Buzz, Woodies, and Jessies. . . 

 

This Oompa Loompa won first prize in my book.  Amazing. 

But I was there to watch the littlest class walk in a slow circle around the parking lot, clutching their rings and looking bewildered.  Specifically for the Tiger, who in this picture looks a little upset that they put him so close to Tigger.  

He was by far the most realistic of his costumed classmates.  (Although I must point out the rolly-polly Tigger, who is especially awesome because his twin rolly-polly sister was Pooh Bear.)

"I'm a Tiger!  Rarr!"

"I've got a TAIL!" It's back here somewhere . . . 

Found it!

It was a wonderful way to start my morning, full of adorableness.  And Matt caught the tail end of it and proclaimed that our kids will always wear costumes. No need for clothes, just funny costumes with a hole cut out for the head. 

Now I must relay this hilarious story, because although it isn't mine, it bares repeating.  Two nights ago I got a phone call from #2, the 7-yr-old, who was out with his mom and the afore mentioned Tiger child.  He had a terrifying tale.  His GREATEST FEAR, the thing that keeps him crawling into his parents' bed, the big bad monster of the night . . . is raccoons.  The kid HATES raccoons.  This is unfortunate, as their house backs up to a forest preserve and the critters have been seen around their house numerous times and left evidence of their visits.  So, keep this in mind as I proceed.

The kids' mom had strapped #2 and Tiger into the van and gone in to grab something before they took off.  Through the open van door crawled a . . . RACCOON.  Into the van with the kids!  According to the retelling of a 7 and 2-yr-old, they were scared, but they just sat there for a second.  Then Tiger, with all of his 2-yr-old strength and reasoning, KICKED the raccoon with his little foot clad in the corduroy slip-ons I'd put him in that morning.  Kicked it good, right in it's face!  And the raccoon hissed at the kids and then took off out of the van.  Tiger saved the day!

And then he got on the phone and told me in his little Elmo voice, "I kicked it in the FACE!"