Fun with Pumpkins

Another one of those fun fall traditions that Jackie and I have done ever since we got married is to spend a night carving pumpkins.  Jackie is much more responsible for this tradition than I, as, to be honest, doing something that I consider "crafty" or "artistic" isn't my first choice.  I always do it, because I believe in doing things I wouldn't normally do, so that I can experience things I would normally experience.  If I only do what I think of, or like (or only read what I think of, or like), there's so much to be missed.  The pumpkin carving tradition in our household is one of those.  I seemingly rarely look forward to it; but always have fun with the experience.  Ultimately, I guess, its because, for me, its not about carving pumpkins, its about having an activity or experience that is shared together.

 

Though Maia was obviously around last year, this feels like the first year to share this tradition and ritual with her. I would have thought that Maia would be somewhat hesitant once we opened up the pumpkin and it was time to get the "guts" out.  Not. At. All.  She dived right in, wanting, even demanding, to take the insides out of each of the four pumpkins we had.

[caption id="attachment_720" align="alignleft" width="300"] No hesitation.[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_723" align="alignright" width="300"] "I got its guts!"[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maia kept taking the guts out of pumpkins while I worked on my pumpkin and Jackie finished both hers and Ellie's.

[caption id="attachment_724" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Perhaps realizing that all that gunk is all over her hands now.[/caption]

 

I said it before, but it was fun to be able to share this ritual with Maia for the first time.  Jackie and I are both, I think, very fond of our traditions.  We enjoy trying to create experiences and memories, even in simple moments like pumpkin carving.  For a long time we waited to be able to share the family traditions we were creating with someone.  And its been the best experience in our lives to be able to work to create worthy experiences and traditions to share with Maia.

[caption id="attachment_726" align="aligncenter" width="705"] Glowing in the night and ready for Halloween.[/caption]