We have had about 100 or so trick-or-treaters. Lots of them were in groups of 5 or 6, so not too many times opening the door. I have learned that Skittles are WAY more desirable than Starbursts. Spiderman has been the most popular costume, followed by pirates and then princesses of many types.

The kids at my work Halloween party seemed to have a good time, and I'm exhausted. I gave Tim his bday gift from me and Kristen; Wicked tickets. He seems pretty happy.

I made centerpieces out of smallish pumpkins stuffed with sunflowers and dried wildflowers and sparkly pumpkin garland. I picked up pre-Trick-or-Treat supper for the kids: mac and cheese, chicken tenders, and corndogs, which all got happily eaten up. The kids sketched out jack-o-lantern designs on pumpkins and then the scientists had carve whatever they drew, which was hilarious. I sliced up apples and warmed caramel in the microwave for dipping, and set out cheese and crackers.

I got plain black plastic tablecovers and decorated them with sparkly skeleton stickers, and I stuffed a pinata with frozen mini-Milky Way bars and tootsie pops. One of the kids cried and yelled NO! when the bigger kid I lined up for last busted it open, then cried YES! when he saw all the candy hit the ground.

Then I gave all the kids goodie bags (cardboard chinese food box thingies) with a mini-flashlight, bubbles in pumpkin-shaped bottles, spider and bat rings, stickers, little rice crispy treats and little bags of teddy grahams.

Cutest costume: two year old dressed like a lamb carrying a stuffed animal sheepdog.

Now I need to soak in a bath. I'm awful with children who aren't part of me and mine. I'm completely depleted.

Man, Allyson really knows how to throw a party. Maybe that could be your third book? How to throw a party that is cool, cheap and hip.

Seriously! I had a budget of $200, but I spent $250, which I think is pretty excellent for decorations, food for 16 adults and a gaggle of children, activities (I made a Halloween pictionary game but we didn't have time to play), and an assload of pumpkins.

I totally wasn't kidding. I think it'd make a great book or essay inl ike Readymade magazine. I think you have a real genius for events and a totally fab sensibility.

(x-posted with Bitches, because I told the story here)

What I wore to work today: [link]

When she got to my building, I, being the classy kinda dame I am, when people asked about Jilli's costume, was quick to pipe up with, "Oh, she's from [Division of our Company]."

The funny part is how often people were all like, "Yeah. Well, that explains it."

I didn't dress up.

I kind of regret it.

Allyson, that sounds like such fun.

Jilli, you look fabulous.

Plei, there's always another day to dress up. I am still laughing at the Mombie comment, and that could totally be me today.

I have to go to work tomorrow (at UCLA) in character of a historical figure I know well. Which sucks because I don't know anyone well enough to remain in character for more than 10 seconds. Thoughts? Ideas?

I thought I might wikipedia Isadora Duncan and just wear a long scarf.

We had about nine tricker treaters total all night. I greeted them at the door in my evil clown (from It) mask combined with leprechaun hat and green shirt. That made me a lepreclown - got a shriek or two. Not from the kid, but from the parents.

We had no trick-or treaters, but our house is kind of set back from the street, and while our porch light is working, the light closer to the street needs a new bulb, so we probably looked not home.

In previous years Annabel was overwhelmed by trick-or-treating and always wanted to go home after just the immediate neighbors' houses, but tonight we went all the way around the block, with her declaring, "I want to go to another house," each time we were walking away. She used her pirate sword to knock on doors. It was extremely cute.

Once I got her home, I had to run straight to choir practice, where we started work on Advent music. Trick or treating to "Comfort, Comfort Ye My People" and "Of the Father's Love Begotten" with no segue is a bit...jarring.