Pumpkin Party
October 16, 2010
Pumpkin Fun
Last year I had said that I wouldn't do the lunch thing anymore so that I would spend less time in the kitchen and more time outside with everybody. But the kids always have so much fun with the spider dogs, and the jack-o-lantern oranges and bats were such a hit last year, and I had to bring back the ever-so-popular pumpkin cake from 2 years ago... and before I knew it I was doing the full-blown lunch again. I have to admit, I had fun with it, and this year pretty much everything was prepared in advance so it went pretty smoothly. I was particularly happy to see all the kids empty plates afterwards. I guess all that pumpkin hunting made them hungry!
After we ate the kids we did the pumpkin carving where the kids decided what they wanted on their pumpkins and the parents attempted to oblige. There was also lots of free play and the kids had a blast on our new "play structure" which was actually the manitoba maple that had fallen over during the summer and which the kids love to climb and play on. (A free, self-assembled play structure that accomodates more than a dozen children at a time... you can't beat that!)
Cadence and Gavin take advantage of the toys and swings while the other kids head straight for the food.
I think we need a bigger sand box!
Christopher's swing is still popular with kids of all ages.
It's not often our driveway is this full!
Natasha is checking things out.
Rubby makes a friend. (At this age the kids still laugh at his jokes!)
Joe filling up his "wand" with "magic potion".
Tante Silly enjoying a cup of coffee.
The carving fun begins as the parents cut and the kids supervise.
Some kids are tasked with putting their designs on paper
while others get the job of sorting out the seeds to be roasted later.
Amelia and Hannah start carving with their moms while Sam patiently waits for one of her parents to come help her. (Where are those slackers anyway?!)
And Christopher... is still eating!
All this hard work makes Solanne thirsty.
Helena making sure her dad is doing everything correctly.
Dominique roasting some marshmallows for Sophie and Alexandre (what a nice auntie!)
Oh dear! They're a little overcooked Dominique! ;-)
When Solanne saw the pumpkin cake her eyes opened wide and she exclaimed "Sugar!".
Smart choice to go with the orange instead Solanne!
Derek cutting up the pumpkin cake for the kids.
Jenn is busy faithfully cutting out Amelia's design.
The kids playing on the swings and slide.
Khalil and Theresa working hard on the pumpkins.
Amelia mixes up some dough to make cinnamon twists over the fire.
Once the pumpkin carving is done and the kids are off playing, the parents can take some time to grab a bite and relax.
The kids enjoying our new "play structure".
Natasha checking out the pumpkins.
Wait a minute, we have a pumpkin thief! And is Christopher tossing around a pumpkin back there?!
The kids are playing, the weather is beautiful and the pumpkins are smiling... what a great day!
There's nothing like good old fashioned tree climbing!
Samantha went "fishing" with her corn stalk rod.
Giddy-up horsey!
The kids riding on the tree with "Boo-ey" leading the way.
Maia is a natural born rider and Solanne shows us her climbing skills.
A little walk in our woods.
Gavin and Christopher are having truckery fun.
We haven't had many days like today to play outside this fall!
everyone smile for the cameras!
menu Lunch, Pumpkin Carving and Lots of Playing Outdoors
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