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.

Jane

How was your Halloween? Does your neighborhood score a 10?