To say that our family has a flair for the dramatic is an understatement. Halloween allows us the opportunity to indulge our theatrical side. Costumes, make up and attitude conjures up good spirits. Off we go to Raleigh, North Carolina to haunt our grand kids! This weekend is the culmination of Daniel and Zachary’s football seasons and we have a day of bowl games before we go trick or treat.
A late night arrival on Friday doesn’t get us in bed until past midnight. We are up at 6:00 a.m. prepping for a day that will have us traverse half way across North Carolina. Why can’t these kids play ball in their own neighborhoods? Daniel’s game is 45 minutes away and it’s a crisp 41 degrees. Steve coaches Dan’s flag football team and is primed for a big bowl win.
Steve runs a unique offense based on the fact that 6 & 7 year olds can barely pay attention long enough to stop picking dandelions. It’s anyone’s guess who has the ball as 3 backs line up under the center and all fake that they have the ball. By the time the opposition figures it out we’ve scored a touchdown.
Dan’s team doesn’t disappoint and comes home with the trophy. We get to see Dan have a great 25 yard run and Steve’s in a good mood for the remainder of the day.
The first carload exits and heads another hour away to get Zachary to weigh-ins on time. It warms up significantly and we shed a few layers of clothing while waiting for Zach’s team to take the field. These games are running about 30 minutes behind. This team makes a sharp impression with their custom pink jerseys.
Zachary makes good tackles and his team’s offense carries them to a 38-0 trouncing of their opponent. Bowl games provide great success and it’s back in the car for the hour trek home.
A quick dinner gets inhaled by the hungry hordes and then it’s time for make up and wardrobe.
It seems that we are not the only ones embracing the spirit of Halloween this evening.
No house with a lit jack o’lantern was safe as the Russo’s candy bags became heavier and heavier.
All the boys and ghouls creeped back to their graves as the witching hour approached. One little goblin had the biggest haul of all!
As dutiful parents and grandparents we began the arduous task of inspecting the candy piece by piece. It seemed some of the larger Hershey’s chocolates were suspect and as a service to the children we took on the burden of tasting those pieces. Fortunately, no one died.