Halloween

Halloween is big here. At least in the American/British/International school. Danny and Issy were out of their skins in anticipation for the Halloween party that was held at Danny's school today. Poor Issy. They didn't have a party at her Turkish nursery school and she felt somewhat left out. No wonder she sometimes says: "When I grow up to be aboy like Daniel..." Daniel is wonderful and included her in all the planning, also for his upcoming birthday party (December), for which he has been planning for the last six months. It will be a Monster Party - not like the Monster Parties we had at Chris Froelich's house as students - but it will feature monsters of all descriptions. Daniel offered to Isabella that she could be a ghost. She started wailing, and through the tears and sobs she said: "But I want to be a 'Walking Dead'". A frightening thought, this congruous image!

This morning on the way to school I had to tell the usual Batman story. I am running out of ideas because, as you know, Batman is not the most versatile in terms of plot lines. I decided to combine it with the theme of Halloween. The story went something like this:

Batman was driving through the streets of Gotham City one Saturday morning when he realized that there was no one about. Suddenly, rising up in front of his car was a hideous creature that said: "My name is Nosferatu!" Batman looked around and saw a motley crew of monsters all around the car. There were zombies, the walking dead, skeletons, witches, vampires, and ... HEFFALUMPS! Issy interjected. Now how does one keep a straight face? I did suggest that Batman an Winnie the Pooh join forces in the fight against evil and crime, but Danny rejected the idea in a flash.

I wonder why!

At the end of today, Danny had a great party at school. They had tea in the Dungeon and Slime, Puss and Mud Jelly. He said he passed on the Spider Cakes! He won a prize for his ugly costume. Being a very courteous boy he greeted me with: "Thank you daddy for making me so ugly". I wanted to say it's in the genes but the joke would have been lost. Anyway, he is a beautiful child. He also won another prize - a bangle and brought it home to his troubled sister. She was delighted!

Well, enough about our little family. Just a last bit of news. I hear that Frankenstein was a bit bothered by the fact that he wouldn't be scary enough for Halloween anymore. Too many Frankensteins around. He decided to dress as Jacob Zuma and now he is happy again. Scary thought...

Have a fun Halloween

Gerhard