Halloween costumes and rookie mistakes

I understand that being a dad requires learning on-the-job. I guess that's why I sometimes get frustrated with myself for making rookie mistakes.

Case in point: my kindergartener decided a while back that he wanted to be a skeleton for Halloween. Well, about two weeks ago, I happened to pass a big Halloween store. Went in, looked around at the many, many costumes for sale (spoiler alert: Star Wars and ninja are going to be big again this year) and found a skeleton mask and gloves that are perfect for him. Paid about $15 for both and went on my way.

Then, later that day, I made my mistake. I gave it to him.

He loved his costume. Played with it over the next several days.

Now, a few days before Halloween, the thrill is gone. He wants to be something else.

How could I make this classic blunder? How could I not see that this was going to happen? After all, it happened last year, when he wanted to be Obi Wan Kenobi, and my wife made him a robe, and he played with it for the week before Halloween, and then wound up wanting to be something else (a hobo? half-Batman/half-Jedi? I can't remember) on the big day.

Someday I may learn...

The Great Peanut Butter Debate

As much as I want it to be, this is NOT about Crunchy vs. Creamy. Although if it were it would be very short and consist of one word, writ in all caps: CRUNCHY

Instead this is a post about the kind with the oil on top vs. the other (prefab) kind. This is a tricky one, to be sure. And one I've participated in many times.

Now let me start out by saying that I have a clear and stated preference for the oil kind. I think it tastes more like actual peanuts and less like some sort of light brown sugar paste which had a peanut somewhere in the next room when it was manufactured. Plus I like seeing the simple ingredients list on a jar of the oil kind: peanuts, salt. Beautiful.

Usually at this point in the discussion someone on the OTHER side will say something about what a pain the oil kind is to stir and how it gets all dried out when you keep it in the fridge. OK, I'VE GOT AN ANSWER FOR BOTH!

First the oil-stirring thing. I will admit that this is a pain. However not only is it well worth it, I will also give you a little hint regarding how to minimize this. When you buy a jar, before opening it store it UPSIDE DOWN. This gives the oil time to mix in naturally using the miracle of GRAVITY! (note that after opening and stirring you should store it right-side-up.)

Next the drying-out business. Here's the thing. I know it says "refrigerate after opening" on the jar but DON'T DO IT. I repeat: DON'T DO IT. I am somewhere in the neighborhood of 40 years old and my mom NEVER refrigerated the peanut butter, + I don't do so in our house for my kids. And none of us has ever suffered from any sort of "spoiled peanut butter" related virus. Ever.

I welcome any sort of response you might have. However I am warning you that I am right on this one. So if you must respond I would really urge you to simply agree w/ me.

P.S. I know no one asked but here are a couple more PB-related items. PB & apple slices is a favorite snack of mine, followed closely by PB & pretzel rods, + PB & banana slices.