Pumpkin Carving

I do not like to carve pumpkins. I think it is gross and nasty. I think it is very little payoff for very much work. I don't much care for holidays in general, and I especially don't like to decorate for them. The jack 'o lantern is very similar to a vase of flowers in my book--the sentiment is nice, but it is a lot of money and work for something that is going to smell and rot in a day or two.

Anyway--S is pretty in to the whole carving thing. He lets the kids pick a design (any design--not necessarily Halloween themed) and carves them each their own pumpkin. He generally does some sort of TCU themed pumpkin as well (by the way--WHAT'S UP with Kirk Herbstreit doubting my Frogs???? Did they show him OR WHAT??)

Back to the grossness of pumpkins. . . Since S is not here, I have been frightened that I would indeed have to carve pumpkins this year. I knew I couldn't shirk it entirely, since the boys LOVE IT, but I thought I would force them to do the traditional three triangle, snaggletooth design and be done with it...

But guess what we have?? A teenage boy who is WONDERFUL. I mean it when I use those capital letters. (When I say "Guess what we have?" I don't mean like he lives here or anything...we just borrow him periodically. He lives with his own very nice family.) He is truly awesome. He is a senior in high school, quarterback of the football team, sometimes babysitter, full time role model/idol for my kids. If they had a choice of hanging out with W or hanging out with a rock star, W would win, hands down.

Anyway--this is the kind of boy that you pray that your boy will grow up to be. If anyone ever says "Hey, your boy kinda reminds me of WW..." I would consider that a true compliment.

So, guess what? He came over this evening and carved pumpkins!! I am so very grateful that W is here! I did help, because we got a late start due to the TCU/BYU game (check out that score, Herbstreit!!!) But, I just did the quick parts and got out of the room in time for him to do the frustratingly complicated tiny cutting involved in R's chosen design.

I also did not have to touch the inside of the pumpkin guts. He did that too. He even shamed the boys into doing it as well. Awesome. I love having a role model/idol living a few blocks away. He is wonderful...my kids have carved pumpkins, I have clean hands, and I DO NOT have mommy guilt!

R's pumpkin

N's pumpkin...two face...1/2 jack o' lantern, 1/2 what? Dracula? I don't know...

J's pumpkin...on the porch it will be throwing up pumpkin guts. . .Great!!

All in all, the perfect day!

PS--W even cleaned it up. He made the boys help, too. I actually heard him say "Don't leave all that mess for your mom!" Don't you want him to marry your daughter, OR WHAT???"

PPS--W just convinced J to have his pumpkin throw up candy instead of guts! This just keeps getting better!