HALLOWEEN FESTIVITIES

We had a very busy two days.

Today, I was at Derek's school, helping with the class party.  I made 24 white cupcakes with orange icing (with pumpkin faces on top).  There are sixteen kids in the class, but there were no cupcakes left over.  They were a big hit.  I had made Halloween spice cookies (A Martha Stewart recipe), but I decided that maybe it would be a little too spicy for the kids.

Last night, there was a Halloween parade at the park.  The kids walked around the baseball fields a few times.  It was dark, and a little cold.  I was not thrilled about that, since it started at five, and we usually have dinner at 5:30.  It screwed up my whole schedule, but Derek had a good time, and that is what was important.

After dinner yesterday, Philip and Derek carved the pumpkin and displayed it in the bay window.  Afterwards, we watched “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” on DVD.

Today(Halloween), Derek dressed as a pilot, in a brown jumper with Air Force logo and white helmet.  I do not know where he got the idea, but he has wanted to be a pilot for the past year.  Unfortunately, it was so cold and windy outside today that Derek had to wear his winter jacket.  He was not happy, but I did not want him to be sick for a week.  There were not many kids out there today; meanwhile, Philip, Derek and I were out for two hours.

Once home, I made apple cider for the three of us, then we went through Derek’s bag.  I was so happy to be home and done with Halloween for this year. 

It is time to start planning for Thanksgiving.

WHEN FRIENDS MOVE AWAY

Philip, Derek and I went to dinner last night at our next door neighbor's house on the left side, the Girardi's (Roberta is on the other side).  they said that they had something to tell us, and since it was a school night, I thought that it was a little out of the ordinary.  While we were there, they told us that they are moving to Texas because Bob has been transferred.  They will be gone within the month.

I am heartbroken for Derek.  The news hit him especially hard because he is friends with their two children, Jackie 10, and Curtis 8.  He and Curtis are like two peas in a pod, and Derek plays with him just about every day.  He doesn't seem to understand why things like this happen, and both Philip and I spent a lot of time talking to him about it.

I'm not looking forward to that day.

THE NOT SO NATURAL

Well, I've come to realize that Derek is not a natural soccer player.  He barely runs to the ball and spends most of his time twirling to see his shadow.  He does like that shadow.  It's hard to believe that it was his last game.  I'm going to miss watching him play :(

After the game, I drove Derek to the mall and we went to Sprinkle City. I was going to take him to see a movie, but I didn't know what time Philip was going to be home from work.  Had to get dinner ready, etc.  The lasagna came out great as usual.  Love that stuff.

After ice cream and lasagna today, I can safely say that I'm off the diet until Monday.