Costumes

We always had cool costumes. I was Lucy from Charlie Brown one year. Another year my mom made us Raggedy Ann and Andy (these were ridiculously cute). Mom made me a gypsy costume when I was 7 or 8. Mo was really crafty like that (she was the ONLY one who could do our hair too). When we lived in NY we used to go trick or treating right after school, around 4 or 5, before it got dark. I didn't think this was bizarre since I was young. Only later did I wonder why the little ones went candy hunting so early. Mom said these were the rules. I thought she made that up, but apparently townships can dictate the hours kids (and teens) can trick or treat. Mom hated Halloween but she was a trooper back in the day and took us all around the neighborhood.

The Haunted House

Maybe it's Halloween that makes me remember this one. Summer 1982 (or 1983) and we were at the Jersey shore and my dad takes me and my sister to the Wildwood Boardwalk. I was likely 5 years old so not more than three feet tall. Everyone around me looked like giants. I remember one girl in spiked stilettos and fishnet stockings. We went on tons of rides that evening. Then we came upon a Haunted House - not the kind you walk through but the kind that has a little train that guides you through the spook fest. We were on line - and pretty close to the front - when my sister, scared by the ghosts and goblins and eerie sounds, flakes out. I was livid. All I wanted was to go on this cool ride. Well this nice lady in front of us offers my dad to let me ride with next to her - you know since my sister ruined the experience for everyone. So dad agrees and I sit on the train next to this lady and off we go into the haunted house. Being 5, it was definitely creepy, but in a fun way. I knew it was fake. When the ride ended, we got off and there were dad and Bethann waiting to hear all about my adventure. We didn't get back to our beach house that night until 10 p.m. In these pre-cell phone days, mom was a wreck wondering where on earth we were, if one of us had gotten lost. She never let dad live that one down.

Of course now I wonder why my dad let me ride with a stranger.

Update: My sister has this to say in her defense:
"I was 3...JUST turned 3 because Brian was a baby. I want you to try to convince your 3 year old someday to go on a ride which a smoke breathing goblin with glowing eyes glares down at him. OKAY? THEN claim that I was scared and YOU were brave."

Atari vs. Nintendo

We had Atari first and I think it may have come by way of my uncle. The cool joystick had my Mr. Pacman going in every direction to gobble all the dots and escape the little ghosts. Then in 1989 dad got us Nintendo with Duck Hunt and Super Mario Bros. It was hooked up to the TV in the parent's bedroom (why on earth did they do that?) but eventually it became obvious that my brother spent more time on it than anyone else and wouldn't give anyone a turn so Betty and Ed intervened and set up rules. You play and when you die, your game and turn are over. Next kid, please. This is how it worked for some time. As far as I know only Brian and I ever saved the princess.

To this day, the original Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario Bros. 3 are my favorite video games.

Chipmunks Concert

I must have been about 6 years old and the Chipmunks came to the Spectrum. My dad took me and my sister and we were pretty high up in the stands but nonetheless, seeing Alvin, Simon and Theodore belt out their many tunes was a treat. When I consider it now, dad had to have been about 30 or 31. WOW. He was so young. How many 30 year old men do I know that take their kids to see the Chipmunks? For whatever reason, dad thought he had $20 but actually did not so this nice lady next to us wrote him a check so he could buy us snacks. I remember that gesture to this day.

Strawberry Shortcake

I was 5 or 6, in kindergarten at Holy Rosary in North Wilmington. My teacher, Mrs. Carroll had this big strawberry that when opened had little compartments for each of your Strawberry Shortcake dolls. A carry all strawberry. Well, all the girls names were entered into a hat and Ron (who coincidently went to Archmere with me many moons later - after I moved and come back to the area) was in charge of drawing the winning girl. Well, all I remember was hearing "Christina" and I could not believe I won the fabulous strawberry. At the end of the day, I packed my little Snoopy backpack and ran out to to my mom who was waiting in the parking lot. The strawberry swayed to and fro in my left hand as I ran screaming, "Look what I won!" and told her all about the contest. I went right home and put Strawberry Shortcake, Lemon Meringue, Huckleberry Pie, Blueberry Muffin, the Purple Pie Man and several others into their new home.

I wonder if that strawberry is still in my parents basement?

I found it listed on eBay with this photo.

Old School Cartoons

My personal favorite (love the heavy metal)...1985 and I was in 2nd grade and would come home from school to watch this show every day at 4:30 p.m.


Another favorite - I wanted to be the Princess.


This one was late 80s...I was sort of past the cartoon infatuation, but nonetheless, who doesn't love this theme song?