Carving Pumpkins and What It's REALLY Like

With Halloween in just a few (5) short days, I wanted to share what pumpkin carving is like as a parent in case you weren't aware.

I am always looking for fun new things to try and do with my kids especially because every year they get older and I know the day is coming where they may not want to participate in our silly shenanigans.

I always try to find something challenging to carve on their pumpkins. Nothing is more exhilarating than doing something they have a preconceived notion of not being able to do. 100% transparency, I have this preconceived notion at times too! Once I start, it's similar to cleaning out a closet. Once everything is out and laying around ,the "what did I get myself into" happens. But that's okay! It'll be fun right?

This year, my 9 year old Braydon has been super into football. More than ever before. Like die hard, wants to be an NFL player. We're talking football at all times of the day. Football at 6:00 AM where he is literally tackling himself onto the couch while catching the football, instant replays are live on our television until he steps foot outside the door for school. He walks in from school, turns on the previous night's game so he can further tackle himself on the couch before starting homework. I can't make this stuff up. He then goes to football practice at 5:00 PM, comes home, eats dinner and continues on his tackling journey. We even take family walks every single night and he's throwing the football. That being said, this year he chose to do a San Francisco 49er symbol on his pumpkin.

Parents, you know how carving pumpkins is? Generally it starts as a really "fun idea." You all know how long it takes to clean and prep as well. It generally ends with a glass of wine and exhaustion yet also feeling accomplished because you didn't give up. Parenting life! I was literally sweating and removing my sweatshirt layers as I was carving.

Brooklyn, my 5 year old couldn't decide between carving Tinker Bell (which definitely would've been the easier route) or Minnie Mouse. After cleaning the pumpkins and gearing them up to be ready to carve, stencil is fully taped and prepped, she of course decides she wants the option that is not taped to the pumpkin, which is Minnie Mouse. I told myself hell yeah! Let's do this! We are going to have the best pumpkin you've ever seen! Little to my knowledge, I'd be sitting there for hours.

THREE HOURS later folks... THREE hours, we were successful, but let me tell you, the kids only lasted about 45 minutes into this journey. Braydon ended up in the living room while in a tackling frenzy (surprise), and Brooklyn ended up in her room playing with her Barbies. Meanwhile, I was still carving away. But I am also a perfectionist and had to get it just right.

I had moments of doubt, literally looking back and forth at the photo/stencil I am comparing my carving to. I was staring and carving for so long I started getting confused about having to carve the gray areas or the white ones. This is where a glass of wine came in handy! In the end, the kids got to carve (for 25 minutes) and they were super excited about the end game. This got them in the spirit and they felt proud about doing a project together. However, as a parent - carving pumpkins with the kids always ends up as carving the pumpkins yourselves. But hey! at least we get some fresh pumpkin seeds to bake and that accomplishment is set!

The kids are always watching. They are watching your every move and see that you finished what you started. They see that although it was difficult and very time-consuming you persevered through it. They also see that although it's not perfect - it doesn't HAVE to be because nothing is perfect. We are perfect to them in their eyes.

I'm sure carving pumpkins will become a bigger project for th

e kids as they grow older and their creativity will surely shine through but until then - this is a parent's project that may or may not last all day.

What did you carve on your pumpkins this year?