The Boys' Pumpkin!

Just before bedtime last night, Arthur made the alarming observations that we had not carved our pumpkin!  I'm not exactly sure how it happened, but somehow we made it to the night before Halloween without carving our pumpkin.
I, of course felt terrible, and went to bed stressing about how we were going to fit it in today.  Between a Halloween breakfast with friends (pictures to follow) and violin practice filling our afternoon, I was feeling a little nervous.  But I was determined that we would have our beautiful pumpkin transformed into a jack-o-lantern before Halloween night.

And so we did!  And I am happy to report that it was a real "we" experience this year (minus Daddy, who was at work), with all little hands on deck...or should I say, in the pumpkin?

No one was shy about pumpkin guts this year!

Jake and James miraculously agreed on a pattern...

Then Jake and I took care of the pattern transfer (while James diligently painted his little pumpkin)...

When it came to handing little pumpkin carving knives to my boys, I did get a little nervous that someone (more than likely, me) would need to get stitches before we had completed carving our creation.  But they were both carefully committed to the task at hand.  So other than a few squabbles over who's turn it was and a fall from the bench, things went very smoothly.

I think we may even graduate to each boy carving his own pumpkin next year.  :-)

PS Due to weather, Trick-or Treating has been postponed until tomorrow evening.  So costume and jack-o-lantern photos have been too.

Halloween crafting 2013!

If you follow this blog (or if you have known me longer than 5 minutes), you may have figured out that my favorite part of a holiday is making kid/family crafts.  Of course there is the obvious "fun factor" of getting out the paints and spending creative time as a family.  But I think I am driven to the craft isles of Michel's and Hobby Lobby, with a deeper purpose.  I am in love with, and perhaps slightly obsessed with, the idea of making "permanent" memories (this also explains my obsession with photography).  

This year, as I pulled out the Halloween box, the memories of past Halloweens filled my mind.  Then, as the boys helped me place each craft around the house, we were able to share the stories of when each one was made.  It is precious the things they remember, and the excitement they have at looking at  the masterpieces they made when they were "little."   Our house is far from the spookiest and you would probably never see anyone on HGTV trying to steal our ideas, but when I overhear the boys showing off our decorations and proudly sharing their stories, I feel great that my little plan is working. 

And now for the photo documentation of Halloween crafting 2013. :-)

James took the "H" and the "A"

Daddy took the first "L"

Jake took the last "E" and the "N"

And I got the "O" and an "E"

As for that extra "L" and "W," well, Miss Laura Barlow took care of those!
This year, James also painted a spider and Jake added a "pumpkin graveyard" painting to our collection!

Playing at the Pumpkin Patch

There are few mistakes as grievous, in the eyes of a five year old, as loading him into a car, driving for an hour, and getting him all excited for a fun day with friends at the pumpkin patch only to get there and realize that the day is a bust because, somehow, Mommy and Daddy both forgot their wallets.  Needless to say, our drive home was filled with lots of disappointment and tears.  And while James took it much better than his brother, 3 weeks later, neither one will quite let us forget it.
However, as promised, we did return to the pumpkin patch (with adequate funds) and had a great (and slightly frigid) afternoon, complete with selecting the "perfect" pumpkin.

Due to the cold wet weather, there were several things that we opted out of (aka Mommy and Daddy vetoed playing tractors in wet sand), but Jake still had a great time showing Daddy around!  And James had a great time participating in many of the activities he had been to little for just a year a go.

(yes, I am still finding stay corn kernels throughout the house and in my car)

Daddy even got cotton candy and kettle corn to share.  But if I had to pick my favorite part of the day, it would be that this year we were able to go as a complete family...and we even got a picture to prove it.

Jake's "Kindergarten" Pictures

  

The end of September marked 5 and a half for our oldest boy!  I know mommies say it all the time, but time sure does fly!  And even though we are homeschooling, I can't help but become nostalgic that our Jacob William is old enough that he could be joining the "big kids" on the school bus each day.

Each morning, as we hear the rumble of the school bus pull up in front, I am grateful to see this face looking back at me, from across the counter, as I make breakfast.  And each afternoon, when we see the kids arrive home, I reflect on all the things we have been able to do together that day.  I know homeschool isn't for everyone, but it definitely for us.

Jake, it is a blessing to learn and grow with you each day!  I love you more than you could ever imagine!