Happy Halloween!

As I have written before, Halloween is not a Dutch tradition, but at the girls' school, the American community organizes a trick or treat route.  It just so happens that it is in our neighborhood each year and this year did not disappoint.  There were about 10 houses and 20 'trunks' along the route.  Each child donates 50 pieces of candy at school and then it is distributed to all of the stops along the route before the trick or treating.  Our house was the collection spot for the candy this year, so we had approximately 8000 pieces of candy in our house the week leading up to Halloween!  The girls thought they had hit the jackpot! 



Our front window



 It was a beautiful, warm night to be out and the girls love being able to dress up and trick or treat.  There were no Reese's peanut butter cups given out, but Chris and I are probably better for it.  Much of the candy here is similar to Now and Later's or gummies.  There is also the Dutch favorite, drop, which is like black licorice.  They love this candy and you see it everywhere.  If you are wondering what to do with all of your black jelly beans this Easter, find a Dutchie near you.  I'm not sure what our Dutch neighbors think when they see all these kids and adults dressed up in costumes running from place to place and getting candy.  As one of my Dutch neighbor's commented to me, "Is this what you do in the States on Halloween?"  Yes, strange as it is, we are quite amused by it.