Pumpkin Carving

One of the weekly themes at L.J.’s school recently was all about pumpkins. Shocking given the season, I know. His teacher took the top off a small pumpkin so the kids could see inside. L.J. was hooked! He came home that day chattering about pumpkins and telling us that you could take the top off and stick your hand inside. The following day we went to get a requested tiny pumpkin for school, and I let L.J. pick out a big pumpkin, too. We didn’t even get in the door before L.J. was yelling up the steps to daddy about carving a pumpkin. Dinner? Nope, pumpkin first. We literally delayed dinner because L.J. was so intent on opening up his pumpkin to see what was inside. He and daddy did a great job! (Blue lips courtesy of a lollipop, L.J.’s other newest favorite thing.)

This past weekend we were invited to dinner and a pumpkin carving contest, hosted by my friend Abby and her fiancé. I was really looking forward to it! My friend and I lived in the same apartment complex for years and saw each other constantly, but life has changed quite a bit for both of us. I’m now married with kid(s) and living in the suburbs; she’s still in the city and finishing up her final year of nursing school. Carving out time to hang out has been really tough, so I always look forward to the chance to visit with her!

L.J. was pretty excited that this event was going to involve pumpkins, too. L.J. and daddy picked out a stegosaurus stencil for the pumpkin and it turned out great!

Everyone had a good time and carved creative pumpkins. The Yoda pumpkin? The guy did that free-hand! We actually didn’t know very many people there and were the only ones with a child. No big deal, but it was interesting to listen to the conversations – talking about trips, parties and nights out. We’re so far removed from all of that now!