1986 Halloween (10/31/1986)

Friday, October 31, 1986

At 17:45 went to Modena Avenue to see the Mummy (Kyle) and Ninja (Erich).

Erich, Ben, and Kyle

Kyle as the Mummy

Erich as a Ninja

1986 Skiing? in NH (10/21-23/1986)

Friday, November 21, 1986

I found out I had a 15:13 appointment at Allstate in Lincoln and hurried home, as Kent had wanted to leave for NH at 16:00. We were only tying the skis on the roof at that time, and Donna P came later to drop off the condo keys and give us her turkey to take. We left about 16:40 and it got dark as we headed up I-95. Took I-495 to avoid most (but not all) Boston traffic. It snowed more the farther north we went, and sometimes the wind got gusty. At the 100-mile marker in NH, we knew Exit 32 was next. Drove through Lincoln and found the Clearbrook section of Loon Mountain Village. The condo was up on a hill, and we had to walk through 6” of snow to the front door. Things warmed up quickly as we put the lasagna in the oven and unpacked. After dinner it was almost time for bed.

Saturday, November 22, 1986

After a breakfast of scrapple and eggs with petite croissants, we shoveled the front walk. Kent found P boots and skis that fit him, and we got in the car to drive over to Loon Mountain. Found a parking spot at the foot of the bunny hill. Some guy asked if we were here for lessons. Nope! We had learned lessons would cost $15/person for two hours. We trekked up the hill and I had my own boots and skis to don. We had some used boots and kids’ skis for Kyle and Erich. I tried to give them a couple pointers, but they were just anxious to head downhill! Without great success. Kyle seemed to have the basic idea, and Erich managed if coached through step by step. Kent wanted to try the rope tow, but the kids couldn’t get the hang of it. Frustration levels were high, so we quit to go back to the condo for a chicken pot pie lunch.

Decided to try a couple prep activities that I do with kids with disabilities, and the boys didn’t seem to have the flexibility to stand up from the ground with the skis on. We tried snowplowing down the side yard of the condo, but it was just too narrow.

Kyle and Tamiko (KSS)

Erich

We got in the car and went to look for a slope. Drove towards Lincoln and took a right turn at the Common Man restaurant. Another right brought us to the Lincoln-Woodstock Recreation Area with a ski slope and an inoperative ski lift. No one was around, so the kids tried skiing, which wasn’t easy on the icy crust of the snow. Kent practiced skiing as the kids sledded, and everyone was happy, I think.

Kent and Erich sled down, as Kyle heads up

Erich, Kent, and Kyle on the hill

Kyle on skis

Kent on skis

We left about 16:00 to return to the condo and build a fire in the fireplace. Roasted some chestnuts and a couple really exploded! Had dinner of roasted chicken, potato wedges, and steamed broccoli. Played music cassettes in the background as we played Po-Ke-No. Had pumpkin pie and whipped cream for dessert. The Celtics were on TV.

Sunday, November 23, 1986

After breakfast we cleaned up, then headed to the Recreation Area again. The crusty snow made learning to ski too difficult. Saw a couple boys snow/ice surfing on boards that attached to their feet. Kyle and Erich decided just to go sledding. A man was there teaching his kid to shoot a BB gun, and he said the slope and tow would open on December 6th.
We returned to the condo to snack and do the final clean-up. Packed the car and closed up the condo, making sure to turn off the hot water heater, close the flue, set the thermostat at 50 degrees, and close the blinds. Final potty break and we locked up, leaving at 13:15, ahead of schedule. Drove on clear roads, and stopped in Lawrence, MA for a late Burger King lunch. They had several dining rooms and two drive-up windows. Got home about 17:00, and took the kids to their mom’s.

1986 Bill Walton (10/18/1986)

Saturday, October 18, 1986

Took the meat from the rest of the crabs from Christopher’s Deli yesterday. We had eaten only 6 of 14. You pulled off all the legs and used the nutcracker to get meat out of the upper and lower parts of the fore-claws, and the upper parts of the other legs. You took a mallet to the area that looks like a tail tucked under the body, pulled that up and lift the top shell. What was left you broke in half and scraped out all the guts, before digging out the meat. A lot of work, but fun.

After lunch we went to Roger Williams Park Zoo by 13:00 to meet Erich’s Tiger Cub Pack. After walking through the zoo, leaving out the tapir corner, we left at 14:30 and went straight to Uno Pizzeria in Warwick. Bill Walton of the Boston Celtics was there signing autographs. We joined the slow-moving line, and finally reached Bill Walton sitting at a table. We took his picture and he gave us autographs on Uno menus.

Bill Walton, Erich, and Kyle

Autographed menu

Back at home we made apple pie and baked apples, and Kent made tacos for dinner. We all sat down to watch the first World Series game of the Red Sox vs the NY Mets. One by one we fell asleep. But they won!

1986 Osamequin Bird Sanctuary (10/11/1986)

Saturday, October 11, 1986

Kent’s parents arrived yesterday and had to stay with us, since the hotels were booked for Parents weekend at all the colleges. This morning Kent took Kyle to a Cub Scouts clean-up at 9:00. Afterwards they came to pick up the rest of us to go watch soccer practice. After lunch Kent’s parents were able to check into the Susse Chalet in Seekonk, MA.

We went to Osamequin Bird Sanctuary in Barrington, RI.

(Erich), Ada, Bert, Kyle, and Kent

Lots of grasshoppers and big fuzzy black and red-orange caterpillars (Pyrrharctia Isabella/Woolly Bear caterpillars).

Erich shows Kyle the Woolly Bear caterpillar (photo by Ada)

Saw bayberry bushes, interesting trees, stagnant ponds, and picked over pine cones.

Bayberry bushes

Thick underbrush

Kyle spotted a rabbit and a chipmunk.

We drove through Barrington, seeing a funny car that looked like a mini-rocketship, with two people in a cockpit. We went out on Rumstick Point. Nice properties! Went to Colt State Park where lots of people were flying kites. There was an Irish setter that kept jumping into the water to swim, then he’d come out and shake himself, and dash at us for fun.

Bert, Ada, Erich, Irish setter, unknown, and Kyle

He kept us entertained for a while. Drove home via the Susse Chalet to get the Stumpes’ car, to bake an apple pie and have homemade Cincinnati Chili.

Sunday, October 12, 1986

When the boys and I returned from Mass, Kent’s parents were at the house for a big breakfast.

Kyle and Erich "masquerading (photo by Ada)

We went to Kyle and Erich’s soccer game, where they finally scored, with the help of the opposition! Tied 2-2.

Kyle and Erich in soccer uniforms (photo by Ada)

After lunch, Kent’s mom started trimming plants, which got everyone doing chores. Kent and the boys washed his car. Then there was the Red Sox playoff game vs the Angels.

Erich and Kyle play a game with Grandma

Erich working (photo by Ada)

Kyle setting the table (photo by Ada)

After a ham dinner, Kent’s parents left to ready for their drive back to Cleveland tomorrow.

Kyle and Erich ready for bed (photo by Ada)

1986 Soccer (10/5/1986)

Sunday, October 5, 1986

Mary Jane decided to go to Mass with the kids. We picked them up after CCD and after a quick lunch, went to their soccer game, which was quite exciting. The team was much closer to scoring a goal, although the game ended in a 0-0 tie.

Kyle handles the ball

Kyle in the action

Kyle and Erich

Here comes Erich
(is Adam okay?)

Kyle watches Erich in action