Happy Halloween!

After the whole day of talking about trick-or-treating and putting his costume on and waiting ... Espen almost blew it. (Or maybe mommy did). 



still mad at mommy & wouldn't smile



I decided we should eat dinner first.  I was home all day and would have been delighted to cook something.  But my little guy decided he wanted HOT DOGS.  Well since I wanted him to actually eat before we went in search of a pile of junk food, I made hot dogs.  Spruced it up with green beans & applesauce & tater tots!  Healthy!!  Then Espen decided there was not a chance in hell he was going to eat.  He wanted water or candy.  I told him we were NOT going out nor were we answering the door if he didn't eat 3 flipping bites of hot dog.  I made it very very clear that 3 bites would be necessary before we went anywhere.  And he cried.  He threw some stuff.  He stormed off.  He slammed a door.  He got a time out.  He tried again.  He refused to eat.  I refused to budge. 



ready to rock & get some candy!



This drama went on for 20 minutes.  He spent some time in his room because I was not negotiating and tired of the screaming.  He was determined to not eat.  I was as bull headed that he would.  So finally I felt like we could move away from the hot dog and have 3 bites of something high in protein.  And still he wouldn't eat.  A trick-or-treater came to the door & he was so excited that he wanted to see what was happening.  He couldn't go to the door (part of the self inflicted punishment).  He finally decided 3 bites was worth it.  And what I got him to eat was Norwegian Brown Cheese.  3 HARDY bites of that... and then he hurried up and got his costume on and we went.  I stick to my word... And the subject was dropped. 

 So he went dressed as an airplane...and he wore his ice helmet to top it off!!  He cracks me up... He was able to say "trick-or-treat" and "thank you"... and only once did he embarrass me... he grabbed a few to many pieces from the guy across the street... but he did say "thanks!"... And then he was limited to 1 piece when we got home... I don't need a child on a sugar rush at bed time!!  And now he is asleep and I've picked out the stuff he can't have (those with artificial color) and I've eaten the one I wanted... he can have it tomorrow!!