HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL - For weeks, 9-year-old Mason Reed has been looking forward to Halloween so he could finally show off his adorable cowboy costume. However, low temperatures, snow, and his mother's concern dictated that his outfit be buried beneath several layers of winter clothing.

"I know he's bummed that no one will see him as a cowboy," said the boy's mother, Tonya Reed. "But if he doesn't wear at least four layers of winter clothing, he will LITERALLY freeze to death."

From inside of his puffy snow pants and heavy coat, Reed explained to neighbors that he really was wearing a cute costume and if they could see it they would be so impressed.

Young Mason didn't like the decision to hide his costume under the cold-weather gear, but was surprisingly understanding, saying, "In one sense, it's kind of better. Now I can describe the outfit and let people imagine it for themselves. It's like the theater of the mind."

Despite the costume issue, having to shovel the driveway, and getting kale chips from one neighbor and a Chick tract from another, Mason still took in a huge haul of candy and is considering the evening a success.