this is halloween this is halloween tra la la la la

Homage to Tim Burton in the title ( for those of you who didn't immediately get it.)

So who owes me $10 ? Bang on 8.15am - as we finish lacing the last leather effect wrist gauntlet - 'but I want to be an all black ninja!'

The school parade made me laugh at some of the great costumes. For me, first prize went to the garbage bin complete with rumaging racoon inside. As anticipated, there were 265 ninja's of various descriptions. Marching alongside the 493 little mexican girls dressed as blonde princesses. Were two little white boys dressed as mexicans in ponchs, sombreros and huge moustaches. Classic non-pc costumes.

At work, one scary clown made me scream out loud when he emerged from behind a door. I was furious for a full 15 minutes until I realised someone else was out at lunch - 'oh get Amy, get Amy!' (which he did).

'Trick or treating' was a blast this year. we ganged up with a crowd of friends and assailed their block with about 14 teeny kids. Our gang included a 3 year-old fluffy pig, a cheetah a teeny tiny superman, a bionicle, 2 ninjas (of course), a flower fairy, a witch, a groovy cowgirl and a pokemon trainer. I was resplendent in my pumpkin beret.

A full 2 hours of 'twick or tweeeeeeehheet', 'daddy, daddy, I got candy' and 'that pumpkin moved' was followed by good ole bobbin for apples and a glass of spiced cider. ( I opted for the mojito though). A wholesome fun evening was had and we learned a whole new halloween custom. The booty trade.

Now although this sounds like an inner city sexual favor, it is in fact completely innocent and entirely fascinating. The kids pour out and count their 'booty' of candy. They then embark on seemingly endless sweetie swap transactions. 2 milk duds for an eyeball. A mini snickers for a full size skittles. A jelly booger for a dismembered finger. etc etc And boy are those older kids ruthless in their rip offs. Since when was a mini starburst roll ( opal fruits to the ancient among us) equivalent to two frankenstein shaped sucker rings????? Never, I tell you. But we're watching the process intently - because believe me, when teen spots and boyfriends start to appear, all those wee brothers will be claiming revenge for those booty trades - big time.