GainesvilleMoms.com

Did everyone have a good night? We had lots of fun, but I was surprised at how few childen I saw out on the streets! I can remember the streets being full of children when I was young. Or maybe it just seemed like a lot of kids...

We went to Boo at the Zoo and it was packed with adorable kids in costumes. We had such a good time. SFCC does such a great job w/ it. I think my husband and I enjoyed it as much as the kids! We were disappointed we did not see any of our buddies out there though! Afterwards we went to Moes and then to downtown for Gelato. It was a great night! Downtown was practically deserted though and we also did not see any kids out in the neighborhoods. I wonder what was up?

We had the best Halloween, since it was Colin's 3rd one. We went to the Scarecrow Row in Alachua on Mainstreet. Both sets of Colin's grandparents joined us and then we ate dinner at the Beef O Brady's there on the balcony and watched the other trick or treaters go down the street. I think I will do that again.

Lew, I don't know what has happened to the neighborhood trick or treaters anymore- When we first moved in to our neighborhood, which is small but there are quite a few kids, I bought a ton of candy and not one kid came by!
So for the past 3 yrs I just don't buy it anymore. Kind of sad. I guess there is just too much other stuff to do now, and people are afraid of their neighbors?
-Amanda
One holiday over, now on to Thanksgiving and Christmas!

I took the kids over to boo at the zoo and met up with a friend, her husband and kids. That was a lot of fun! Of course my first year going since I've only been in town a few months. They really go all out!

Then, I picked up hubby and we went back to our friends house so we could enjoy pizza and take the kids out. I agree with everyone else that there really aren't as many trick-or-treaters as there used to be. I wonder if it has anything to do with all of the "safe" alternatives? The churches etc. that put on events.

Just a heads up to those of you that might have used Halloween costumes to give away...SFCC is having a Halloween costume drive. I believe costumes can be dropped off starting November 3. I don't have the specific information available right now, but if you are interested in doing this, I'm sure you can call and inquire.

This was Tessas first Halloween and it did not go as planned. My husband got stuck at work late and by the time we got out the door Tessa was already trying to fall asleep (but we kept talking to her to keep her up).

Because we left the house so late we had to go to a place close by, we decided on the mall. She did notice the little girls in dresses and that made her smile. I got some cute pics and some stickers for her scraptbook.

Boo at the Zoo was highly talked about. Thank you moms....Im going to have to make it there next year.

Well, as much as I was excited about taking the kids trick-or-treating with some families from hubby's work, it didn't happen. Macy decided early in the week that she didn't want to go trick or treating and no amount of talking up the fun, free candy and being outside would change her mind. Thus the mermaid costume is in the closet and since it is a size 4, hopefully next year?? We didn't have a single trick or treater at our door! Actually I am not surprised as we don't have much in the way of kids in the neighborhood, mostly retirees. Since we moved here 5 years ago, we went from about 12 the first year to none this year. Good thing I didn't go buy candy - opted to clear out our treat jar (which was full of fun sized candy anyway) in hopes that I could go to the post halloween candy sales and get more, but looks like we will just pour it out of the big bowl back into the big jar.

Colinsmama - Alachua sounds wonderful!! I was there much of my life as my Mom's family lived there so I spent many Halloween's wandering those streets! I used to be so afraid to go up to the door of Ms Leroy's old house (now the Ivy House) which was of course silly as she was the sweetest lady and my cousin used to mow her yard so we knew her. I have so many memories of my Uncle and cousins hiding in the bushes and jumping out to scare people - more parents that kids some Halloweens!!

We did Boo at the Zoo last year, so we decided to do the traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating. We went to the boys' grandparents' neighborhood and met up with a friend that lives there. The boys had so much fun, but we saw NO ONE else out. We went to about five houses -- which was plenty -- got a little candy and headed home. Then my husband and I went out to our adults-only costume party. He was a wizard and I was a witch.

Overall it was a great day. Now today we've got a packed day with football and friends.

Michelle, That is soo funny! I've lived here most of my life and we used to live a street over from the now Ivy House, and we were so afraid of it too. Some boy told us that the man living there was a crazy axe murder- (horrible i know!)

I love what Alachua has become- although it might be getting too big now, ugh. Mainstreet is the cutest little place.
Never in my life did I think I would grow to love living in a small town.