Pilchard the Pumpkin

Last Friday, Sam went on a field trip with his class to the local pumpkin patch.


After his pumpkin spent the weekend at school, waiting for a Monday photo-op, it got to come home with him today. He named the pumpkin Pilchard, after Bob the Builder's cat.


Even though I was EXHAUSTED after our friends left today, I was determined to spend some time tonight carving this pumpkin with my guys. Now Keith will tell you that one of my many flaws is Clark Griswold Syndrome. Whenever special days roll around, I tend to envision these perfect moments with my children sharing the traditions of the season.


The fatal flaw in my plan is that I am sharing these moments with children...very human, very willful children. So even though I began pumpkin carving night with grand ideas, it ended with both children screaming because I refused to let them hack on poor Pilchard with sharp knives. So there you go....


Even though the carving experience was no fun, they were pretty excited about Pilchard when we were done. Here he is in all his glory...

Pilchard on the front porch with his "Dad" Jack o'Lantrin--it is a non-negotiable point with Sam that this is a Jack o' Lantrin, not a Jack o' Lantern