trick or treat

I am in Hoover, Alabama (Birmingham suburb) and I had about 50 or so, mostly neighbors. I had candy and gave every kid a glow bracelet (pack of 50 at CVS for $5... and this afternoon were buy one get one free) Interestingly, the Hispanic kids that came only got one piece of candy each, a bracelet, and were one some of a few who said thank you. Most kids get two or three at a time, which is fine since most were bite/fun size pieces. The only AA family that came took handfuls of candy, took several bracelets each, all while the parents were talking to me about how nice the neighborhood is (clever distraction, I thought). Then across the street, the Baker family who had left their candy in a basket got cleaned out on that visit (actually, one piece was left). It was over 1/2 full just before that (a minute or so before, because I had just asked the neighbor's kid down the street who had just been to the Baker's how full it was since the Baker's left me a bag to keep it full while they went out with their 3 year old). The parents were divvying it up into their kid's bags. Sad. Then when they finished at the end of the cul-de-sac, on their way out they started back up my sidewalk. I said "Uh, oh. You've already been here. Y'all be careful. Bye"


We got about 50 kids last night and all those accompanied by parents and/or older siblings at the door were polite, which I liked. All said "thank you" and "Happy Halloween." A few who didn't have adults in sight took the candy and ran, but I chalk that up to what I usually do in the stores with the same kids: can't expect the kids to be polite when the parents are rude, too. I got 'em by saying "you're welcome" to their backs. Which usually elicited a weak "thank you" back over a shoulder at me.
My neighbor had her porch dressed out and was mindful of her bucket: "take one!" While her late teen son hid behind the furniture and jumped out at the older trick or treaters. What a blast watching the kids running down the street screaming and laughing!