We love you, Sammy! Happy birthday! xoxo

REAL McRollers thanks for being fabulous!

Happy, healthy Halloween to everyone celebrating!

Winning Halloween

On the day of the party, Tutor Time was ready to be transformed into a spooktacular wonderland. Elizabeth, sans costume but decked out in orange and black with a beaming smile, welcomed all the volunteers with open arms, commenting on everyone's costumes and greeting their children by name.

She had divided up the volunteers into groups that would be decorating, helping with food, and setting up the games and activities. Grace was heading up the decorating group along with Kendra and Linda. The three had decorated white t-shirts to look like Rummikub tiles, a large colored number in the center, much to Grandma Ang's delight. Kaitlyn, dressed very much like Steve Irwin the crocodile hunter, was in charge of the food group, and Jacob in a red and white striped Where's Waldo costume was directing the setup of all the activities.

In the activity area, Angie and DJ were buzzing with excitement, ready to assist Jacob with the games. Angie dressed as a mini-Catherine from her task force days, complete with her badge and Mommy's ROLLINS nametag velcroed on her tac vest, while DJ looked very handsome and dapper in a navy captain's uniform in honor of his grandpa.

With Elizabeth overseeing the entire production, it only took a little over an hour to set up the party, with fifteen minutes to spare before families would start to arrive.

"Well, Jacob," she asked. "Do you think we're ready?"

He grinned. "Bring on the Halloween fun!"

Those fifteen minutes flew by and it wasn't long before the party was in full swing with nearly all the Tutor Time kids in attendance along with their families.

As kids flocked to the Marshmallow Ghost Stacking table, Jacob gave DJ and Angie their official name tags - a clever touch added by Elizabeth. "Okay you guys, time to show off your marshmallow stacking skills."

DJ grinned. "No problem, Jacob. We're ready."

"I'm reporting for marshmallow duty!" Angie said with a little salute.

The music kicked in as the kids began stacking the marshmallows and laughter floated throughout the room.

Elizabeth stood nearby, assisting with the game as Danny approached, dressed as a Jersey Devils hockey player. He clapped DJ on the back, grinning. "I hope Jacob didn't plan any climbing in these games. I've had enough of that, today." The team had once again been on the news as he and Steve chased a suspect up a water tower.

Jacob chuckled. "Not even one, Uncle Danny. Only marshmallowy stuff here. Although," he stage-whispered, "I can't promise the Ghostbusters won't make an appearance later."

Danny rolled his eyes while hiding a grin. "As long as they don't ectoplasm my car…""

Steve, overhearing them, said, "Maybe don't park it in front of the ectoplasm containment unit..." and Jacob barked a laugh at their familiar banter.

The detective looked up as Gabby and Catherine approached. Gabby was also dressed as a Devils player while Catherine had her hair curled, wore a SEALs T-shirt and gymnastic's shorts. She was carrying a stuffed goat and sported a Felix tattoo on her arm.

"That is outstanding!" Danny said with a laugh of delight that she had dressed as Angie. He turned towards his partner who wore a Cubbie's shirt, ballcap and carried a glove as a prop. "And you, again with pretty much street clothes. Although, maybe dressing as your son some of his good sense will rub off on you and you'll be more sane."

"Angie," Catherine said, "show Uncle Danno how you stop a bad guy if they're running."

Angie nodded eagerly, taking a stance with her feet shoulder-width apart, she said, "Five-0! Stop, you're under arrest!" When her parents, Aunt Gabby and Uncle Danno smiled, she glanced at her daddy. When he nodded, she added, "Book 'em, Uncle Danno," causing everyone to burst into laughter.

Danny scooped her up into a hug. "For you, I'd book anyone," he said after kissing her cheek and setting her down.

Once confident that all the games and activities were well under way, Jacob took charge of the Pumpkin Tic Tac Toe Table, where kids formed lines to challenge each other.

DJ approached Jacob, eyeing the tic tac toe board with determination. "Can I call dibs on a game with you?"

Jacob grinned. "Absolutely!" They stood on opposite ends of the table and each grabbed a mini pumpkin, one with an X painted on it and the other with an O. "Good luck, Captain DJ. May the tic tac toe odds be in your favor."

Steve strode up to the table. "Hey, Jacob, you better not go easy on him. DJ knows the art of tactical tic tac toe."

Jacob raised an eyebrow. "Uncle Steve, is that even a thing?"

Catherine shook her head. "Everything is a thing when it comes to tactical discussions with your uncle."

Steve smiled. "That's right. Tactical strategies are in place. Let the games begin."

While Elizabeth was smiling at how much everyone was enjoying the event, a parent approached her, expressing his gratitude for the incredible party.

"Thank you so much for organizing this, Elizabeth. Tutor Time always goes above and beyond."

She smiled. "We try our best. And Halloween is special, it's not every day we get to play dress-up and compete in marshmallow engineering challenges while enjoying delicious treats." She motioned to the large board behind her. "And don't forget to put in your vote for the best candy on our bar graph here." She handed him a sticker. "You know we're going to sneak a little learning in, even at our Halloween party."

He grinned. "Maya was telling me all about bar graphs the other day. Jacob has really helped her learn to love math. Well, maybe not love it, but at least not hate it."

"Jacob is a fabulous tutor," she said, beaming at the compliment of one of her most reliable tutors. "And I think someday he's going to be a fabulous teacher."

The father smiled. "Any kid who has him will be extremely lucky."

"I couldn't agree more."

Later in the evening, Steve circled back to the table of Pumpkin Tic Tac Toe, seeing Angie beating DJ at the game. "Angie's on fire, Daddy!" his son exclaimed. "She beat me and Michael and a whole bunch of other kids."

Steve bent to kiss her head. "Looks like you're a tic tac toe champ."

She grinned, her eyes alight with a familiar-looking competitive spirit. "Daddy, you should try to beat me!"

Steve laughed, taking a seat. "Okay, baby girl, let's see if I can win."

She lined up the pumpkins with a serious expression. "I'm gonna beat Daddy," she sing-songed, making her brother laugh.

Danny stepped up and nudged his best friend. "Yesterday you were teaching her how to use a spoon, today she's using your crazily intense competitive streak against you."

Angie giggled, "Mommy says I like to win almost as much as Daddy," she said while placing her pumpkin dead center.

Steve smirked, ready to embrace the challenge. "The McGarrett tactical expertise can't be defeated."

Catherine came up and chuckled. "Except by another McGarrett?"

Angie giggled, giving Catherine a high-five. "I got this, Mommy!"

Kamekona made his way to the buffet table with a tray of delicious food. "Aloha, everyone! Da grinds' on me tonight. Make sure you all visit the food and cupcake trucks to enjoy more of our delicious fare!"

Elizabeth greeted him with a hug. "Thank you for your generosity, Kamekona. Everything looks absolutely delicious."

He grinned. "Anything for you, Elizabeth. And besides, it's Halloween, which means it's all about the treats."

The crowd began lining up to the buffet area and he smiled. "Those keikis are future customers," he said with a wink at Grandma Ang.

"And you're a sweetheart who likes kids," she offered.

"Almost as much as you, but that's our little secret."

"I think your secret was out a long time ago, but whatever you say." She patted his arm. "Now I'm going to have a shrimp wrap while they're nice and hot."

"All your desserts are a big hit, honey!" Jenna said, wrapping Kaitlyn in a quick hug. She had been helping Grandma Ang with bingo but took a break to check on her daughter who was keeping the dessert tables well stocked. "Even the carrot sticks," she added with a chuckle.

Kaitlyn grinned. "Who doesn't love a little crunch, right?"

"I'm so proud of you for taking this on. It took a lot of organization and creativity, but I had no doubt you could pull it off."

"Well, Esther and her sister helped a lot with the baking. I couldn't have done it without them."

Jenna nodded. "And that's the mark of a good manager. Knowing what help you need, arranging it, and showing them the appreciation they deserve."

Kaitlyn hugged her. "That means even more coming from the best manager I know."

"Now, are there any more of those chocolate peanut butter spider cookies?"

As the party reached its peak, Elizabeth spotted Joseph at a game table, engaging in a lively conversation with a group of kids, sharing stories of his days in the Navy.

Joseph laughed, loving the attentiveness of the children. "And then the captain called for my help, and I said, 'I'm on it, sir!' "

The kids hung on every word, their eyes filled with awe. Elizabeth approached, joining the circle of fascinated children. "Regaling them with sea stories?"

He chuckled, taking Elizabeth's hand in his. "Once a captain, always a captain, even if I'm telling stories to a bunch of future sailors."

Elizabeth squeezed his hand, a soft look in her eyes. "And you're the best sea-story teller there is."

Meanwhile, Jacob took a break from overseeing the games to help Grace, Linda, and Kendra pass out goodie bags filled with treats. "Okay, everyone, it's treat time!"

The kids cheered as they received their bags of treats.

Angie rummaged through her bag, finding two pieces of chocolate. She held them up triumphantly, her eyes sparkling. "Look, DJ, I got two Snickers. You can have one."

DJ smiled, holding a red package. "And I have Twizzlers for you."

"You guys are too cute." Grace grinned at them as Angie hugged her brother, saying, "We won at Halloween!"

Catherine knelt down, wrapping her arms around both kids. "You're definitely winners, because you share so beautifully and you helped out with the desserts and games."

DJ beamed up at his mother. "Thanks, Mommy. We make a good team."

As the night drew to a close, Elizabeth approached Jacob and Kaitlyn, a happy smile on her face. "Well, you two have outdone yourselves. The Halloween party was a huge success."

Jacob blushed. "Thanks, Aunt Elizabeth. We couldn't have done it without your support and all the great volunteers."

Kaitlyn nodded. "Definitely."

Catherine approached, holding Angie's hand. "I have to say, you all did a great job. The kids had a blast and I know everyone loved the desserts."

"Thanks, Aunt Catherine!" Kaitlyn said.

Jacob bowed with a flourish. "Thanks! And thank you for your help."

Steve joined the group, raising an eyebrow playfully. "Be careful, Jacob, with great power comes great responsibility."

Jacob grinned at him. "Don't worry, Uncle Steve. I'll always remember to stay humble…" he pointed to Angie, "the marshmallow ghost stacking champion will keep me in my place."

Elizabeth put an arm around Jacob and Kaitlyn, hugging them to her. "Thank you for helping to make this an unforgettable Halloween party for everyone."

Jacob blushed again, his voice filled with sincerity. "Thanks. It really was fun."

"Totally," Kaitlyn agreed. "And guess what …?"

"What?" Elizabeth asked as the siblings exchanged conspiratorial looks.

"We've already got ideas for next year."

# End thanks for reading

Find all our stories (in chronological order!) on our website: marirealmcroll dot wixsite dot com backslash real-mcroll

Or in the McRoll in the REAL World community here on fanfiction dot net Find us on Tumblr: mcrollintherealworld dot tumblr dot com

You can join our mailing list by emailing us realmcroll at yahoo dot com with: Add me, please! in the subject line. Or just drop us a line to say hi! We love hearing from our readers