"This party is super fun"

It seems my girls have an infatuation with trick-or-treating.  Long before the holiday was upon us, they would walk around our apartment with their trick-or-treating bags (they call them purses - I know, real shocker) and "practice".  Scarlett would come to the gate blocking off our kitchen, and we would rehearse the right words to say.  She really is a creature of habit.  She likes to know what to expect.

If you watch any Disney, Jr. or Nick, Jr. you will recognize that every single program has a Halloween-themed show worked into the line-up. Even Curious George has a Halloween "movie", of course he and the man in the yellow hat go off to their country home.  Before living here, I never noticed the NYC references in Curious George.  I am positive the man in the yellow hat must have a significantly large inheritance with how little he works, and seems to be quite eccentric to have a pet monkey. 

Are these children's networks in a secret coalition with the costume and candy industries to promote a love of trick-or-treating? Quite possibly.  Either way, it helps us get in the spirit!  I was actually pretty nervous about disappointing them this Halloween, especially because we basically had no idea how to trick-or-treat in New York.  Did we go door to door in our building? No. Did we "drive" around? No. I figured a place like New York must have some sort of system worked out, so we started doing some research.

We found an event online at the Lincoln Center for little ones that started at 11 am.  I figured we couldn't go wrong with so early in the day.  I also thought there was no way we would be the only adults dressed up...OOPS!  There we are, waiting to get on the subway, and we were getting plenty of stares!  Things do start late around here, but I thought we might see a few costumes.  Nope!  This is New York City, right?  Haven't you ever seen two grown adults dressed up like Beauty and the Beast at 10 in the morning waiting for the subway?  How about walking down Broadway? When we got there, it was a little better, but definitely not what I expected.  In a ratio of about 20:1, adults not dressed up versus adults dressed up, most parents were in the standard New York, all black, sunglasses routine.  What was I wearing? A BRIGHT YELLOW DRESS and a CROWN.  So New York, right?

BRIGHT YELLOW DRESS

You know that part in Legally Blonde where Reese Witherspoon is wearing the bunny costume?

Better yet, you can watch it. (See above)...THAT'S HOW IT WAS.

At the very least the fellow kids in attendance appreciated our costumes???  Not to mention, my girls loved seeing their mommy wear a "princess dress".  They sport these things daily; me not so much.  They didn't skip a beat.  Scarlett can literally wear four different dresses in a period of thirty minutes.  She could go toe-to-toe with any professional Broadway performer, changing costumes behind the scenes.  You know those rip-away wind pants?  That is is sort of what these princess dresses are like.  On, off; on, off.  All. Day. Long.

We did leave the scene with some candy for the girls and got a good feel for what the costumes were about this year.  There were a lot of Star Wars characters, head to toe body suits (I believe they are called 2nd skin), TMNT, and Elsa's.  I basically got caught up on my pop culture, which as a stay at home mom is not really my forte anymore. Not to mention, getting to walk around Lincoln Center and get some pictures was pretty cool.  I got a little nostalgic to watch Center Stage.

SUCH a good movie.

After resting for a while at home, embracing the sweat pant look, we changed back into our BATB attire and hit the streets.  We had heard through the grapevine that there are particular blocks in the Upper West Side that have trick-or-treating in the buildings.  We decided to try the area nearest to us (obviously) around 5 o' clock.  I am so glad that we went early, because the streets were already teeming with people.  Just as we had been told, the doormen of the buildings closest to Central Park were handing out candy to the children in the lobbies!  It was such a simple concept, but really worked with young children.  They loved it.  Mommy and Daddy were very relieved the promised candy actually existed!  It was all they could do not to run from building to building collecting the goods.  I would say Halloween was a success - they had fun, and got a little candy on the side. :)

I will leave you with a Halloween poem (because after this, it's ALL CHRISTMAS):

Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate.

The first one said, "Oh my it's getting late."

The second one said, "There are leaves in the air."

The third one said, "But we don't care!"

The fourth one said, "Let's run and run and run."

The fifth one said, "We are ready for some fun!"

Then OOOhh OOOhh went the wind

And out went the lights

And the five little pumpkins rolled out of sight.

*Courtesy of www.lyricsmode.com

This is probably one of my favorite Halloween memories/poems from my childhood.  I think we have may have learned this poem originally in a music class in elementary school?  Regardless, imagine my surprise when the book version of the poem arrived on my doorstep thanks to my sister, also including games and workbooks for her little nieces.  We are finally reaching the point where both of my girls can sit and listen to a story together - at least a short one like this! I can't wait to spoil my own nephew.  

A couple of (well actually November 2nd, haha) days after Halloween, Scarlett, Savannah, and I were ready to get in the Christmas spirit and blasted an amazing iTunes radio station "Christmas Classics" and had a dance party.  Yes, the Christmas season has begun and I cannot wait to see what New York has in store (and in stores).  I mean I can probably window shop on 5th Avenue, right?  Maybe they charge for that too...details, details.