Phase 2 of our Halloween extravaganza started at right around 5 pm on Saturday. It was pretty cold by then, so we bundled up and headed out to trick or treat with Charlie’s good friends Emilyn and Olivia. To say that we and the girls had a blast would be a huge understatement. Our little Dorothy was grinning from ear to ear the entire night.

For being just 2 years old, the girls hung in there like champs. We ended up walking west on Eastwood and came across the most charming neighborhood I think I’ve seen here in the city. It’s called Ravenswood Manor, and if you live in Chicago, you probably know where I’m talking about. It was like we stepped into a family time warp. The hood is filled with bungalows, sweet single family homes that boast big craftsman-style porches and all kinds of refurbished details. If we were planning on buying in Chicago, this neighborhood would be at the very top of our list.

There were kids everywhere. Every house was decorated and parents/adults were posted outside each home with huge bowls of candy. Everyone smiled when we passed and there were even dogs dressed up and loving on the kids as they passed. The fallen leaves were everywhere and it really was such a magical night. For Charlie’s first “real” round of trick or treating (last year I think she was sick and the year before she was only 2 months old!) it was definitely one for the books.

And can I just mention how much these three little girls love each other?? Granted, they are 2, so there is always the requisite issues with sharing and shoving (mostly on the part of Charlie), but after the second hour of trick or treating came to a close, none of them wanted back in their strollers. They definitely did not want the fun to end. And you should have seen the “take”. Coupled with our stash at home that was (ahem) supposed to go to kids on our block, we’ve got quite the stash which I will absolutely have to get rid of, and fast…