I’m tempted to give Seagull Fountain a ten in the Halloween stakes, merely because it is the first place we have lived where people walk around with small children asking for candy. Well, people might have done that on our street in Florida, but since it was the drug-dealing capital of the world (after Wasilla), it was hard to tell.
But no place is perfect, and even with nary a princess in sight (we had a witch, a Heffalump, and a ladybug), the coveted 10 of Halloweens is yet to be experienced.
So how did Seagull Fountain do on the individual measures?
(On a Scale of 1 to 10):
Ease of Collection: 7. It was safe; drizzly but not cold. We could use some more streetlights out here in the SF, but the stars are nice in a pinch (and on a clear night).
Friendliness of Fellow Parents: 8. One lady asked who we were, and we started our spiel about being new in the neighborhood. No, she interrupted, who are you supposed to be? Another lady asked if I was a Ninja. No, I said, I’m Michelle Obama. (JUST KIDDING. I DIDN’T SAY THAT. NOT EVEN IN A JON STEWART SORT OF WAY). Dick and I were Egyptians, because we’ve had those costumes forever and they don’t require hair-brushing or makeup.
Appeal of Candy (ratio of name brand chocolate to generic crap): 5. I bought mini candy bars to set out in case my Costco-bulk stuff was bringing down the whole neighborhood. It was not.
Presentation: 7. One family invited us in for a haunted house. Sally was the only one who made it through, and she didn’t like it. Spiders, mummies, witches, and skeletons are okay, but the mist-maker is going too far for an almost-8 year-old.
Also, I don’t know where I was when they passed out patterns for the jack-o’lanterns. Our pumpkins definitely were letting the neighborhood down.
Comparing to Trunk-r-Treat: 6. Spot refused to dress up at the Trunk-r-Treat, but since she looks fairly orphan-like in her daily life, she made a passable Annie.
Dick thinks we shouldn’t make the candy such a taboo that the kids crave it even more. Instead, we should let them eat what they want and eventually they’ll get sick and learn that too much candy isn’t a great thing. Only, THAT STRATEGY HASN’T WORKED ON ME IN 31 YEARS.
How was your Halloween? Does your neighborhood score a 10?
Tags: candy, childhood, costumes, halloween, trick-or-treating
Subscribe by email
Shannon (4)
Emily H. (3)
memarie lane (2)
Beth (1)
gurrbonzo (1)
Srsly cute pix.
Feeling you on the, “Yeah, we’re new to the neighborhood,” spiel. Feel like you’re trying to upsell yourselves.
LOL on the candy rating. I can neither confirm nor deny that I sorted all the candy and noted the ratio of chocolate to fruity.
[Reply]
If there’s one thing I have learned in my 17 years of child rearing, it is that kids never get sick of eating candy. I am amazed at how much they eat before I get sick of watching them and I make them put it away. My 12 year old did mention today that eating a lot of candy makes you tired. So, there’s some progress in the “improving your diet” program.
[Reply]
I ate enough candy the other day to get a canker sore. Dumb.
[Reply]
My neighborhood is great for trick-or-treating (just ask Tara; I live across the street from her parents). We get 9s and 10s on all of these. My son was even bragging how he went back to the same house four times because they were handing out king size candy bars. Me–I do the Costco bulk cheap-o stuff.
Rebeccas last blog post..New Month, New Theme
[Reply]
Great pics!
We used to have a 10 neighborhood, but our town has things at the schools and downtown now, so last year we had 2 kids, this year we had one – all from our street. It’s sad because I LOVE Halloween! I dress up to hand out the candy. Oh well. I guess it’s safer for the kids in other neighborhoods around town.
[Reply]
some dentist in our area is doing a candy buy-back. i’m with dick, but i have no personal experience as i grew up sans halloween. our easter baskets and christmas stockings were full of peanuts, no candy. and here’s where you say “no wonder you’re so skinny!”
Memarie Lanes last blog post..Another Anniversaween
[Reply]
I’d say a good 9 in my neighborhood. We have a house that converts their backyard into a haunted trail, complete with a graveyard and a chainsaw guy. Even my 3 year old liked it!
traceys last blog post..Ok, so I kinda get the whole "video game" thing, now…
[Reply]
Love the costumes? Could there be anything cuter than a 2yo dressed up as a ladybird. The dress-up aspect makes me wish we had Halloween. I’m so waiting for Miss M to want to wear her fairy wings or whatever to the supermarket.
Kirstys last blog post..The Colouring Pens were Yummy
[Reply]
Found this great Christmas site and want to share it with you… has recipes, videos of christmas houses and lights, cooking how to videos for the holidays and a great selection of Christmas decorations and gifts for everyone.
The place is [url=]“http://www.christmas2you.com”[/url]
Again that address is http://www.christmas2you.com
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did… got most of my shopping knocked out in one night this year.
[Reply]