a peek inside the fishbowl

When I was a kid I remember collecting Halloween candy in giant pillowcases, making my own costumes (that is, unless you count the time time I wore this costume … although mine was Snow White!), and I remember the candy. Back then people were still handing out the odd apple and handfuls of loose peanuts. I don’t think chips were very common. Chocolate was kind of scarce. There were lots of lollipops, and molasses chews in orange and black wrappers. I loved those, even though I was liable to lose a filling or two.

I always ate the good stuff first, and by the end it was all Dubble Bubble and Thrills gum.

Fast forward to today: I can’t believe how much candy we have in the house. Pictured here is Sarah’s haul. We also have candy left over. Not pictured: a bottle of Chubby soda and a can of apple juice. (Who gives out apple juice at Halloween?)

We’ve always told the girls that Halloween is the Season of Sharing. Makes sense, right? Neighbors share loot with you, and you (meaning the girls) share with your parents. So far that has worked out just fine.

I will be eating my fair share of their candy. The chips will go into lunches and the rest will be partitioned out on a daily basis for WEEKS to come.

Last year I hived off 30-40 pieces of candy, hid it in a grocery bag in the bottom of our china cabinet and didn’t pull it out until the Spring. Chocolate and candy have a long shelf life, so I wasn’t worried. And I was the hero of the day for procuring a fresh supply of rockets and Tootsie Rolls.  

I’d be interested in hearing about your theories on candy distribution.  Do you let your kids eat as much as they want, or do you draw a line somewhere?

Before I get into the details of this post may I pontificate for a moment about children and the arts?

Regular Fishbowl readers will know how important I believe it is to introduce young children to the arts. I’ve written about our visits to the National Gallery before, as well as other galleries here in town. I can’t say enough about it. Exposure to the arts fosters creativity, open mindedness, and joy in the details of life. Thankfully we live in a city in which we can do this fairly easily.

Yet, at the same time I remember my parents dragging me to various art galleries and musical theatre and me feeling rather miserable about the whole experience.

Here’s a free tip: find events that are age-appropriate and engaging!

Parents should avoid foisting cultural events on their kids in a heavy-handed and annoying kind of way. Do not stand over your kids with a wagging finger and use the YOU MUST ENJOY THIS BECAUSE IT’S FOR YOUR OWN GOOD kind of reasoning … as if you were arguing over a bowl of brussel sprouts.

Say it with me now: ART IS NOT A BRUSSEL SPROUT.

Okay?

Speaking of fun and accessible and non-brussel sprouty, the NAC has invited my family to attend the The Listener, part of the TD Canada Trust Family Adventures series. And you have a chance to go too.

Here’s the description of the show:

What happens when a bugle-playing mime who wants to sing opera, and a tap-dancing ballerina pop in on an NAC Orchestra Family Adventures concert? Come see and hear how Maestro Brott solves this comic dilemma, and how our two zany characters – and your children – learn all about the art of listening through humour, drama, and dance.

For more information about this show check out the NAC website or view a summary of the show on YouTube. (!) Sounds fun eh?

There will also be some free learn-and-play activities for kids of all ages 45 minutes prior to the concert. They are totally worth checking out so I recommend arriving in time for extra exploration.

This show is recommended for children age 5 and over.

This giveaway is good for four tickets to NAC’s presentation of The Listener. To enter:

• Add your comment below and let me know if you’re interested in attending.   
• The show takes place on November 21, 2009 at 3:30 p.m. Please make sure you’re available before you add your name into the draw!
• I’ll pick a random name from all the comments on Saturday November 14, 2009 at 12 noon EST.
• The winner will pick the tickets up at the NAC box office on the day of the show.

Over to you, and good luck!

I have another post coming up, but first I had to share a poem that Sarah wrote in class. She’d love to get your feedback.

(My favourite part is “costumes in corners” and the screaming murder of crows!)

–

Halloween Night

Dark and dreary, everyone’s cheery,
so of course it’s Halloween night.
Costumes in corners
and ghouls in the street
everything (everyone) is such a fright!
In and out of the monsters I streak
going to houses for good things to eat!
I walk through the houses around me galore
as creepy monsters come out of the door.
Out of a tree popped a murder of crows screaming
CAW CAW
as people and monsters come in through their doors.