Pictures of Halloween's past

It's Halloween Everyone!
Here are some pictures of me and some of my friends enjoying Halloween over the past few years:


Madame Jess, fortune teller:

Paige as a Grecian Princess, Me as an angel, and Lanie as a cowgirl:


Paige and I sorting our loot (2010):


Have a magical and safe Halloween!

Frankly,
Frankie

My Ode to Autumn

I got my Fall poem back from Mr. Reese today. I think he liked it. I got a 99 on it, and a Halloween sticker! Here it is:

My Autumn
By Frankie Schafer

My Autumn is...
Bright leaves falling off the trees.
Raking them into piles up to my knees.

I jump into them with a running start,
because that is the very best part.

My Autumn is...
Up to my elbows in pumpkin goop.
A grinning jack o' lantern on my stoop.


I think he's smiling because it's almost his day
Halloween's when pumpkins go out to play.

My Autumn is...
Setting the Thanksgiving table once again,
while my dad and brothers watch football in the den.

Eating at the kids' table, like every year before,
then clearing the plates while my Grandpa snores.

My Autumn is...
A season of family, food, and fun,
Happy Autumn to everyone!

(This is an original poem. Please do not copy it. Thank you!)

Frankly,
Frankie

Birthday Girl!

Hey everyone!
Yesterday was my birthday! It was really fun. I brought chocolate cupcakes with orange frosting to school, to share with my class. Everyone liked them! (my mom is an excellent cook, so everyone in my class looks forward to my birthday!).

Then, after school, I saw a familiar car in the driveway. My brother Brad was there! He came home to celebrate my birthday. He gave me a hug. I was so glad to see him. I haven't seen him in person in a while. All of my friends who live nearby came to my party (Paige, Beth, Sunny, Rebecca, Kit, Lanie, Mischa, Alexis, and Kanani). This is me at my party:




I'm wearing my special cowgirl-looking outfit. Do I look eleven yet? My dad gave me a cowgirl hat to match, for a birthday gift. It's really cool.

First my friend and I played games. We played hide and seek in my yard, and tag. Then we pushed each other on the tire swing. When we got tired and cold, we went inside, and ate homemade chili and cornbread. It was delicious. Next it was present opening time. Besides the cowgirl hat, I got some neat things. Brad gave me a sweatshirt from his school. It's sort of big on me, but I like it. My brother Charlie gave me socks with horses on them. Mischa and Alexis gave me a spy kit. Lanie gave me a neat book of ghost stories. Paige gave me an art kit. I got lots of other great gifts too.

Then mom brought out the cake and ice cream! The ice cream was French vanilla, and the cake was an apple cake with caramel frosting! It had eleven candles. I blew them all out, but I can't tell you what a wished for, or else it won't come true. Everyone loved the cake. As I said, my mom is an excellent cook. While we were eating, dad passed out our goody bags. We looked in the bags. They had lots of fun Halloween things in them, like ghost shaped erasers, little notepads with Halloween pictures on them, and candy. The funniest thing in the treat bags were fake mustaches! They are sticky on the back, and you can put them on your face! my friends and I tried them on. We looked so silly. It was funny!

Then, it was time for my friends to leave. After all, it was a school night. I was sorry to see them go. But the best part of my birthday is that Halloween is just around the corner, so there is lot's more fun to come!

Frankly,
Frankie

How it went

Hey everyone!
This is sort of part 2 from my last post. Paige's mom has been busy, so Paige didn't talk to her until Monday. This is how it went (according to Paige). It contains some heavy stuff, just to warn you, in case you don't like reading this sort of thing. But I think it's worth reading...

Paige's mom was not happy about how Paige acted at the dinner party, and told her she needs to be more respectful toward Mr. Reese, because not only is an adult, but Paige's teacher. Paige said she was sorry, and she would try to be more respectful, but there were some things she wanted to talk about. She told her mom what was bothering her. About how she didn't want her family to change, and her worries about her real father. Paige's mom told her that no matter who come into their lives, her love for Paige would never change. She also threw in that she and Bill (Mr. Reese) have no plans to get married or anything, but if they did, Paige would be the first to know. Then she said that Paige doesn't have to worry about her father, because she and Paige's father are living separate lives. She said she would be glad if Paige's father chose to take an interest in his daughter and get in touch with Paige, but she has no interest in getting back together with him, and she's sure the feelings are mutual. It's the sad truth, but it's true.

She asked Paige if she wouldn't mind if she talked about what they were discussing with Bill. Paige asked why, and she said because he would understand what Paige is going through better than anyone. Paige shrugged and said she "guessed so."

So, the next day Mr. Reese (Bill) came over to visit, and asked Paige if he could talk with her, not as her teacher, but a friend. He told her about when he was Paige's age, and his parents got divorced. He told her how sad he and his little brother were, and how they wished their dad would just come back so they could feel like a real family again. He asked Paige if she ever felt that way too. She said she feels that way all the time. Mr. Reese said his dad wrote him and his little brother often at first, then he sent fewer letters, than none at all, and he hasn't heard from him since. Paige said her dad left when she was a baby, and she's never gotten a card or letter from him. She told him how she wishes she'd get even just a card from him every Christmas and Birthday, but one never comes. Bill told her he's sorry things turned out that way, but she is very lucky to have a mom who loves her so much. He promised her that even though he was dating her mom, it would never change she and Paige's relationship. Then he told her how his mom got remarried when he was thirteen, to a nice man. He told her how he eventually accepted his stepfather, and came to love him as if he were his real father. He said his stepfather was the missing piece to his family. He said although he and Paige's mom are not married, they do care for each other, and he hopes he and Paige could at least be friends.

"See," he said. "I do understand how you feel. And I'm here for you if you ever want to talk about things."

Paige asked him if he was mad about how she treated him at the dinner party.

"Nah," he said. "I would have done the same thing when I was your age. It's cool."

So, that's how it went. Things may not be completely solved, but I think Paige and Mr. Reese are off to a better start now.

Well, I better go start my homework. Mr. Reese gave us a fun homework assignment. We have to write a poem about Autumn. Also... tomorrow is my birthday! I can't believe another year has passed. Tomorrow will be a busy day. I'm having a party after school, and Brad is coming home to celebrate. I'll be sure to let everyone know how the party goes.

Frankly,
Frankie

Dinner party

Hey everyone!
A lot has been going on around here. Love is in the air (much to Paige's dismay). You see, it all started with some big news. Paige's mom is dating Mr. Reese (our teacher)! Paige's parents are separated. Paige doesn't really know her Dad. She was too little when he left, and he has never gotten in touch with her. This is really hard on Paige sometimes, and she hates talking about it.

But last Tuesday, Paige told me the "big news." Apparently, Paige's mom and Mr. Reese have gotten to know each other through school, and really hit it off. Paige told me not to tell anyone. I asked 'why not,' and she said because it's embarrassing. I told her I don't think it's embarrassing at all! Mr. Reese is so cool and nice (and cute). I think Mr. Reese and Ms. Shepherd make a good couple. They both have dark hair, and they're both teachers. But I promised I wouldn't tell anyone. Paige has been acting sort of odd ever since. She doesn't look at Mr. Reese or raise her hand in class much. When he talks to her, she blushes. I feel bad that she's embarrassed, but I'm sort of happy about the news. If Mr. Reese and Paige's mom got married, it would be like having Booth for a Dad! (not that I mentioned this to Paige).

Then, last Friday, Paige told me Mr. Reese was coming to her house for dinner on Saturday. I know it's impolite to invite yourself to places, but I admit I did just this once. I begged Paige to let me come for dinner too, mostly because I wanted to see what Mr. Reese is like in real life (meaning, outside school). Paige asked her Mom, and she said it would be okay if I came. So, Saturday night came, and I dressed in a nice outfit and went to Paige's house. Paige was waiting for me, and pulled me into the house before I could even ring the bell. Mr. Reese hadn't arrived yet. Ms. Shepherd was cooking dinner. She looked really pretty. She was wearing a blue skirt and a pretty blouse. She had the sides of her hair pulled back. Paige was wearing her new corduroy jumper. Paige and I set the table. As we were finishing, Mr. Reese arrived. He has a shiny silver car. He rang the bell, and Ms. Shepherd asked Paige to answer it. Paige groaned about it, but she did (me following close behind). Mr. Reese looked so handsome. He was wearing a light blue button up shirt, and black pants. He was carrying a bouquet of flowers.

He patted Paige on the shoulder and said; "Hello Paige! Don't you like nice this evening!" Paige's mom called from the kitchen that she'd be out in a minute. Mr. Reese said he was glad to see me. He tried to chat with us, but Paige wasn't very talkative. Poor Mr. Reese. He was trying. Luckily, I can hold up a conversation.

Finally, Paige's mom walked in. Mr. Reese stood up, and handed her the flowers. Paige's mom said they were beautiful, which they were. Then, Mr. Reese kissed Paige's mom on the cheek! That was enough to set me and Paige giggling, even though she was acting like a grump that night. Mr. Reese (who's real name, I learned, is Bill), and Paige's mom (who's real name is Julia, but I already knew that) talked for a while. They both seemed really happy. Then it was time to sit down to dinner. Paige's mom made lasagna. My favorite! Bill (Mr. Reese) asked Paige and I how we like school this year. I said I love it.

Paige shrugged and said; "It's okay." Her mom gave her a raised eyebrow look and asked her to please stop being impolite to Mr. Reese. Mr. Reese gave Paige a knowing look. I think he gets it.

The grown-ups lingered around talking long after dessert (cheesecake), so Paige and I went into the living room to play a game. Paige was still in a mood. I asked her why she doesn't like Mr. Reese anymore.

She said; "I do like him. I just liked him better before he was dating my Mom."

"But why?" I asked. "He's so nice!"

Paige said she doesn't want Mr. Reese to marry her mom, because it's always been just the two of them, and she likes it that way. Then she said she's worried her Dad might come back, and if her mom is dating someone else, he might go away again.

I put my hand on Paige's arm. "Have you told your Mom what you're worried about?" I asked. She said no, she hasn't. I told her she should because it might help. Paige said she'd think about it. I had to go home at 8:00, so my visit ended there. Mr. Reese said goodbye to me. He said he'd see me Monday. Paige's Mom hugged me and said she was glad I could come. Before I left, I hugged Paige (does anyone else feel like this story is turning into an episode of Full House?) and told her I hoped she felt better. She whispered to me that she decided she'd talk to her mom tomorrow. Then, I left my first grown-up dinner party, glad to spend some time with my own family.

Frankly,
Frankie

I love Fall!

Hey everyone!
Yesterday when I stepped outside, it felt like Fall! I just love Fall. It's my favorite season, and October is my favorite month. It has that special feeling to it. I think it feels warm and cold at the same time. Cold, because the weather is cooling down, and Fall makes you think of spooky things like Halloween, but warm, because you finally get to use warm blankets, and everything feels cozy.

The leaves are starting to change, and everything looks so pretty. I love to hear the brown leaves crunch under my feet. When there are enough on the ground, I like to play in them. The air also smells just right, too. It smells crisp, and kind of smoky from people's chimneys. And the nights just feel like Halloween. Dark, with a bright moon in a clear sky, and chilly breezes shaking the bare tree branches. Perfect trick or treating weather.

And... October is also my birthday month! My birthday is October 13th... 11 more days to go!

Frankly,
Frankie