My Ghetto-Fabulous George Washington

Steven's teacher, Mrs. Rush gave her 5th grade class a book report due this last Tuesday, Feb. 3rd. Steven had to read a biographical book and report on it. But, instead of writing the usual report, he had to dress up like the character and pretend he was that person. 

Mrs. Rush instructed the students that she did not want them spending enormous amounts of money on a costume but to use items from home to make the costume. Steven decided to read about George Washington. On one of our last few visits with my Grampa, he told Steven that we are distantly related to George Washington. 

On the day the assignment was due, Steven would have to change into his costume at school and pretend to be George Washington. The class would ask him some questions and he would answer them. He had to prepare 10 questions and the answers ahead of time.

So, I asked myself, what could I do to help Steven look like George Washington? Wigs are hard to come by. Moreover, I don't think thrift stores will even carry them for hygienic reasons. Plus, I don't have scads of time to travel around to the "good" thrift store and scour the aisles. So, we made do with what we had at home. 

We sacrificed a jacket a neighbor gave me for Bekkah that she refused to wear. I called it the "Pimpin" jacket. It was long sleeved and short waisted. I thought maybe one of the kids could use it for a part of a Halloween costume. So, I cut the back out of the jacket. Then sewed a seam making the square piece into a open topped hat. I even cut out spots for his ears to fit thru. I didn't sew a seam for top of the hat. I just showed Steven how to fold it all in so his head was covered.

Next we had to have him appear like a general. I purchased a women's black pin-striped jacket on super duper clearance at Marshall's the Friday before. I showed it to him. But, he wouldn't wear it because it was too girly. So, he dug out his suit jacket that is 2 sizes too small. 

Continuing with the costume, I had to figure out what to do about the ruffled tie that peeks out the top of his suit jacket. When I was at Marshall's, I found this women's georgette backless shirt that was comprised of tiers of ruffles. I cut the the back strap apart and showed Steven how to tie it around his neck underneath his jacket. 

To top it off, Steven wore his blue church pants underneath it. And this time he truly did borrow Bekkah's cowboy boots on top of it. Desperation and common-sense sometimes can overcome the fear of being "girly." 

And there you have the making of my Ghetto-Fabulous George. Here's my cute summary:

Wig....................................................................................... Free

Jacket................................................................................... Free

Tie........................................................................................ $7

Pants...................................................................................... Free

Boots...................................................................................... Free

Pictures of my Steven George posing as Ghetto-Fabulous George........ Priceless!!!

Useless factoid of the day:  

In all the pictures you will see of George Washington, you will never see him smiling. Why? Because he had false teeth. Early in life, George Washington had poor dental health. Back then, they didn't mess around with fillings, crowns, bridges and implants. They just pulled your teeth out. He had a set of rhinoceros wooden false teeth constructed for him. "The upper and lower plates were connected by springs which pushed the upper and lower plates against the upper and lower ridges of his mouth to hold them in place. Washington actually had to actively close his jaws together to make his teeth bite together. If he relaxed, his mouth would pop open exposing the poor fit of his dentures. There is speculation that this is part of the reason he always looks so stern in his portraits". So, when you see him on your dollar bill next time, remember he's not upset, he's just trying to keep his teeth in and his mouth closed! Thanks to goodteeth.com for the info.