Pumpkin carvings

This past Saturday we (Daddy) carved the kids pumpkins. He actually went and bought a Dremel pumpkin carving tool. Seemed to make things a lot easier and quicker. K actually helped dig the guts out; C did not "want to touch that stuff." Oh the difference in my kids. I actually tried to toast the pumpkin seeds too. They didn't taste bad but for some reason really upset my stomach. C wanted a football helmet or the NFL logo. He settled for the Colts horseshoe. Simple but I think it turned out really good. K picked Cinderella. I think she's cute. A fun but messy project.

Pumpkin Patch

The day of my birthday we were going to go to the apple orchard just down the street. But the kids weren't very cooperative, so we skipped it that day. Instead, we met Daddy there one night after he got after work. There are always some beautiful places to take pictures there. In fact, we saw a professional photographer there taking pictures (with a really really nice camera) of a family. Anyways. All that to say, Daddy was able to get some really good pictures of the kiddies while we were there.

Before we met him there, the kids and I stopped along side the rode where there was a beautiful tree. I love, love, love this picture that I got of the kids. As Daddy said "only thing that would have made it better was if they were holding hands."

Carving pumpkins

Daddy and I spent about 4 hours Monday night carving pumpkins for the kids. This year's choices were a little bit more detailed than last years. C picked Jango Fett (or Bubba; I can't tell the difference between the two) and K picked Minnie Mouse. I always get stuck diggin out the guts. Once the kids get old enough, I'll pass that job onto them. Daddy did all the carving. Then I rubbed them all down with Vaseline; supposedly that will help them not decay as fast. That was GROSS! We didn't get done until almost 11 that night so the kids didn't even see them til the next morning. I think they turned out really good! It was fun but very messy.

So here are "their" pumpkin creations.

Jack 'o lanterns

We usually don't do Halloween with the kids (dress up or trick or treat). We don't have a major reason--we just don't do it. I don't have the money to buy candy to give out and I don't have the money to buy costumes every year (although I'll buy them on sale after Halloween to use for dress up). Anyway. All that to say, this year I wanted to carve pumpkins. I would call it more of a fall or harvest activity. So Saturday afternoon, Daddy went to the store and got 2 pumpkins and a little carving knife. We let the kids draw what they wanted cut out. K had alot of help, but I let C go for it on his own. Thus the hair on the front of his pumpkin. He thought we would be able to carve out the hair. Daddy then carved the tops off and I scooped everything out and then Daddy carved the faces. I think they turned out cute. C said he didn't like his and he should have let me do it. But I told him, "But that's what's fun about doing this--everyone's is different just like everyone is different." I think he felt a little better but not totally. Poor guy. I think it's cute. It's unique, just like he is. Later that night I put candles in them and we put them on the front porch. I think they look so cute! The kids were so proud of them. And we had so much fun doing them! Maybe something we will try to do every year. Here are some pictures to help you visualize the story.