Test drive: Halloween version 1.0

We took Maribelle's Halloween costume for a test-drive today at a party thrown by a local mom's group I see regularly. We fell in love with the costume when we saw it in the store, but the success of its cuteness depends on Maribelle actually letting the little gnome's hat sit upon her head for more than 10 minutes. So, in the brief 10 minutes she actually looked like a full-fledge gnome, we snapped some pics.

We had a great time at the party, letting the kids make their own pizzas and gnosh on Halloween cupcakes. The only bad part is that Maribelle pretty much whined the entire time, either to be picked up or to go "bye-byes." This is becoming a regular thing these days when she feels uncomfortable in a room full of people she doesn't know all that well. A few days ago she full-on threw a fit to go "bye-byes" when I took her to story hour at the library. And it's not like she's never been there before; library story time is something we've done a million times with no problem. I think we're getting into some separation anxiety territory here, and it's no fun, people. No. Fun.

We've got two additional Halloween events this weekend, so I'm thinking I may run out and get a back-up costume for Belle. Maybe something without a hat, so people can actually tell what she's dressed as once she's ditched the head gear.