It was the night before Halloween and all the little kids are snug in their beds dreaming of jack-o-lanterns and all of the candy that they are going to scam out of our poor unsuspecting neighbors.  We spent the evening carving jack-o-lanterns and cooking pumpkin seeds.  I haven't done either of those in years and years and years.  Michael hasn't been all that interested in carving pumpkins up to this point and so far has preferred to keep his pumpkins intact and uncut.  However, this year he decided he wanted jack-o-lanterns, so Super Mega Mom and I carved one pumpkin each while the kids cleared out the seeds.

The pumpkins actually turned out quite well.  Super Mega Mom's better then mine, but in my defense, Michael and I were going for the classic look.  Below is a snap shot of our pumpkin carving adventures.

The pumpkin seeds turned out quite interesting.  I think the last time I had anything like this, I was 8 years old.  I had to check on the Internet to see how to cook them, and we had to call Grandpa as well.  After they were cooked came the question regarding eating them with or without shells.  We decided the best course of action was to eat them with the shells on.

After our pumpkin adventure, it was Kailynn's bedtime and we decided since Michael doesn't have school tomorrow, he could stay up and watch the yearly classic "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown".  I think I've watched this cartoon, with or without kids, every year since I was a kid.  It's just a part of Halloween.  Same with the Charlie Brown and other Christmas specials during the Christmas season.

Tomorrow is Halloween and Michael is off from school.  I think he's a little disappointed, because he keeps telling me that no, there IS school tomorrow and all the kids are going to wear their costumes.  Personally, I'm a little disappointed for him too.  I remember as a kid that that was one of the most fun parts of school:  Going to school wearing our cool costumes and having a costume parade around the school, and generally a Halloween Carnival after school.  It was always a lot of fun during Halloween.  I'm not sure if the schools are trying to be PC and not have kids so the other non-celebrating kids don't feel bad or what...or maybe there's just some other more innocent reason.   Who knows.

So, Michael gets to hang out with me at home again tomorrow while I work.  He still has fun, regardless.  He has so many toys here, he can intertain himself forever if need be.  And I'm sure they'll be tons of Halloween themed cartoons on all day.  He'll probably want to dance around in his blue Power Rangers costume all day just so that he's ready to go out Trick-Or-Treating.

So, wish us luck for tomorrow.  We'll have a 5 year old and a 2 year old wanting every little bit of candy that the neighborhood can offer up.  Once again, I will get a really great workout climbing those hills. :)