Wild Halloween on 138th St...

....when for the third year straight, a semi-unruly clutch of kids from 138th and 139th Sts gathered for a semi-organized Halloween romp on our landmark blocks. Considering that as of five years ago, there were literally zero children on the block (the older ladies say that our first son Leo was the first kid born on the block in 20 years), and that until three years ago we got no Halloween visitors at all to our house, it's quite a change. The neighborhood's embraced the new energy, with balloons tied to the railings on the stoop signifying that you're open for business, and the word's out beyond our historic blocks. Here's the neighborhood play group gathered on my next door neighbor's stairs. That's my kid Leo on the far left, in the suit of armor. His brother Eli's hiding behind him.

Here's Sir Leo and Fireman Eli on our stoop

Eli and his next door neighbor/playmate Tre.