HAPPY HALLOWEEN

What a cute shot of Evan and his Mom! We knew Evan was going to be a fireman for weeks, but Steph decided Saturday to create costumes for us as well. We'll talk about mine in a minute. Without a theme or a particular person in mind, Steph just threw together some items she had from previous Halloweens, and looked cute and quite festive. One of our neighbors even asked her if she was Beyonce! But when we got home and looked at the pictures, it suddenly hit Stephanie....the costume she put together for herself made her look like Mrs. Roper from Three's Company!

The family shot. Since Evan was a fireman, Stephanie made me a fireman's best friend - a dalmation.

Somebody needs to teach this kid about pacing. When we came out of the house to start our trick or treating, we first talked to our neighbors Brandon and Stephanie, who started Evan off right with extra candy. We literally walked down our steps, turned right and took three steps when Evan said "Mommy, I want some candy!" Here he is searching for a Reese's peanut butter cup.

Have you ever seen a fireman with a better smile than this?

Here is Evan making a decision about what to pick from a bowl of treats. Evan has not yet developed "favorites" yet, and it's always very interesting to see what he will pick from a bowl. His favorite treat this year, however, was from the woman around the corner handing out quarters. He held that quarter in his hand the whole night!

Mrs. Roper's back hurts...

Did I forget to mention that Steph created and made me wear a tail as part of my costume too?

Evan has a Halloween book that we read him a lot this time of year called The Witch's Ball. Evan's been hearing so much about witches, he was thrilled to see one in our neighborhood, handing out candy!

A picture that looks good to take on the street. Then you get home and realize your neighbor's pumpkin's are very moldy.

Just another reason we love Roxborough. This is our neighbor, who lives just a few houses up the street, handing out candy with his mother, dressed in a Beer Pong costume. Wait, what was that last part?? One of the best parts of this costume is that he actually has a door knob on, replicating the fraternity experience of ripping a door off its hinges to set up as a beer pong table.

Eagles Kids Club Halloween Partaaaay

I signed Evan up for the Eagle's Kids Club this year. He received a nice membership package, with a bookbag, hat, membership card with his name on it, etc... But the main reason I signed him up was for their Halloween Party held each year at Lincoln Financial Field. We had a great time!

Here is the scoreboard on the field welcoming us. The Eagles go all out with this party.

Evan showing off his Eagles Face Tatoo!

Evan was off to an early start to his trick or treating, and actually came home with a pretty heavy bag of candy. Although you can't see them here, the Eagle's Cheerleaders were set up all along the concourse handing out candy to the children.

They even gave us a tour of the Eagles locker room. This room was MUCH nicer than the NFL visiting team locker room, which we had to walk through in order to get to the Eagle's locker room. I literally thought the visiting team's locker room was the one they use for college teams that play here. I guess they don't want them too comfortable.


Quarterback row. Here, from left to right, are Kolb's, Vick's and McNabb's lockers.

Evan on the field

Evan watching the Eagles Pep Band.

He seemed to really enjoy them, and was dancing up a storm, but would not get any closer than this for the shot.

Evan seemed to like this Wizzard, but again, would not get any closer than this to take this picture.

The Eagles had a pumpkin painting station set up, and we had a good time there. Is that kid talented, or what?!

THE LAST STROLL

The Spectrum is closing on October 31, 2009 and will be demolished to make way for an entertainment development. The Spectrum, site of my first concert (Bruce Springsteen in 1980) opened on September 30, 1967 and hosted championships, all-star games, Final Fours, and thousands of concerts. Some of the most memorable sporting events in the Spectrum include the Philadelphia Flyers winning the Stanley Cup against the Boston Bruins on May 19, 1974, to win the first of their back-to-back Stanley Cup titles; the Flyers defeating the Soviet Red Army Team on January 11, 1976; Julius Erving and the Philadelphia 76ers run to the 1983 NBA Championship, Indiana University capping off an undefeated men’s basketball season and winning the 1976 NCAA National Championship; and Christian Laettner’s “shot heard ‘round the world,” scoring a buzzer beater against Kentucky to launch the Duke Blue Devils in the Final Four on March 28, 1992.

I've attended countless events at the Spectrum, even a few with Stephanie and Evan. I'm sad to see it go, and wish they would not demolish it. The Spectrum opened its doors for one last time Saturday for fans to take a stroll through, and Evan and I took full advantage of it.

Evan in the corner of the Boards on the legendary ice surface

Evan on Stage. Bruce Sprinsteen was on this stage just a few nights ago, and Pearl Jam will be on this stage to close out the Spectrum this weekend...

Evan with Joe Watson and his 1975 Flyer championship ring!

Evan and Bill Barber. Barber was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1990, and the Flyers retired his number 7 the same year. He won the Stanley Cup with the Flyers in 1974 and in 1975!

Evan with Dave "The Hammer" Schultz. Schultz is renowned as one of hockey's greatest "enforcers" on the Broad Street Bullies. He was also won the Stanley Cup with the Flyers in 1974 and 1975, and STILL holds the NHL record for most penalty minutes in a single season, at 472. And yes, that is the local news filming us in the background.

Evan with Bernie Parent. Parent was the goalie that led the Flyers to two Stanley Cups in '74 and '75. He won the Vezina Trophy and Conn Smythe Trophy both seasons. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1984. Parent was rated number 63 on The Hockey News' list of The Top 100 NHL Players of All-Time.

Fall is Here...

After touring the Navy's newest Destroyer (see below) Evan and I went to Franklin Square in the city to have lunch and play. Here is our first Fall photo of the season.

He's eating lunch with me, but clearly his thoughts and spirit are on that playground off in the distance. We cut lunch short to go play!

Here are a few photos that I should have posted up here earlier. First up, Evan's first day of school!

Evan wearing a Dragon costume at his friend Mikey's birthday party.

And finally, Evan just being cute on our front porch!

Visit To The WAYNE E. MEYER

On a very cold Columbus Day last Monday, Evan and I decided to take a tour of the Navy's newest Destroyer, the WAYNE E. MEYER. The ship was commissioned here in Philadelphia last Saturday, and remained in port through the holiday to give the public tours. We only had to wait in line, initially, for about 20 minutes, and Evan was a trooper. You can see here that it was quite a cold morning...

After we passed through security, we had to wait just a little while longer to board the ship. As you can see in this picture, I wasn't sure Evan was going to make it.

But as we got closer to the ship, Evan's spirits lifted, even mustering enough energy to give a salute. I think it had something to do with the fact that I just remembered to give him the snacks Steph packed for him!

Yes, Evan is sitting on the missle launch system on the bow of the ship.

Chow Time in the WAYNE E. MEYER'S enlisted mess.

Evan says....can I bring it home? The sailor behind him says No!

This fascinated Evan, as he is going to be a Fireman for Halloween. And he loves spraying water on people.


Officers get piped aboard, but when you are as cute as Evan, protocol dictates that you get hugged aboard. The two hangars on the stern, in the back of this picture, one with its door open, house two helicopters.