Halloween - One of my favorite neighborhood nights

Submitted by WestCoastMom on October 22, 2007 - 20:45.

play-doh assortmentI have fond memories of trick-or-treating in my neighborhood as a child. The neighbors who left their lights on were always so nice as my brother, friends (East Coast Mom), and I would rush around trying to get as much candy as possible. Now I get to share that excitement with my kids. They get rewarded with treats for ringing doorbells while I get rewarded by a sense of community and a glimpse at the latest remodels. Plus I offer to buy my kids' candy back from them so I'm happy to spend a few hours collecting treats that will later turn into Legos and firetrucks...

Last year I paid 5 cents for each piece of candy they wanted to sell and I ended up with most of it. They each got to eat candy on Halloween night, but it prevented them from eating too much of the things I would prefer they not eat. Plus we later spent their money on toys they really wanted. I don't want to be the crazy mom who doesn't give their kids sugar but I have two very active boys and they really don't need the sugar and caffeine.

Because I buy back candy, last year I started to experiment with giving out a choice of candy or little tubs of PLAY-DOH from Costco. I didn't expect the kids to be very excited about the PLAY-DOH but they were. So this year I will be giving out some of the remaining PLAY-DOH (I checked and it's fine), dark chocolate squares, and mini animals from Oriental Trading Company.

( categories: Holidays/Celebrations )
Great idea!
Submitted by EastCoastMom on October 23, 2007 - 18:34.

What a great idea to buy your kids candy from them....my husband liked it too. I dont want to be that crazy Mom either but certainly hear you about the sugar & caffeine. A little Halloween candy and fun is fine but when the candy stays around for days/weeks....trouble. This will be our 2nd Halloween with our daughter and possibly the 1st with #2....

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Halloween and school
Submitted by WestCoastMom on October 23, 2007 - 21:27.

Our school is closed for autumn break next week. I hear November 1st can be a horrible day in school for the kids since they've been up late and eating sugar for 12 hours straight. This is our first Halloween with a child in a school that celebrates holidays since our preschool downplayed all holidays. B's teacher asked for large sugar cookies for the kids to decorate on Thursday and afterwards they are going to parade around in the their costumes. I'm looking forward to hearing how it goes. I understood not celebrating holidays in preschool because change and excitement can affect younger kids so I'm wondering if the excitement in B's school will lead to meltdowns in the evening.

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school holidays
Submitted by EastCoastMom on October 24, 2007 - 05:43.

Little A's school did a Fall Festival last weekend where they dressed up and did all of the typical Halloween activities-but no sweets were served. On the 31st they are asked to dress in their PJ's and will carve a pumpkin. A's school frowns on all sweets and even says they will not serve candy & soda if it is in the lunch bag. Since I am due the day before, I will ask A's Daddy to handle PJ day and maybe (if I am in the nesting phase) will make some pumpkin spice muffins (or buy them!). I am sure some kids will be out of sorts from the night before.

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