Pumpkin Carving Year 6!

We hosted the 6th Annual Pumpkin Carving with the Anstines this weekend.  We have carved with them since the little girls were in the NICU.  Things have certainly changed since then.  This year, the girls had lots of opinions and offered up lots of help.

My girls had been talking about their pumpkins for a full week with vivid imagery.  Due to the pumpkin shortage and our illnesses delay, we were left with very few pumpkins to choose from and forked over a hefty amount of cash for the chosen three. This year, Adeline was set on a happy pumpkin.  In fact, she didn't want to give him a name but requested we all just refer to him as a happy pumpkin.  She tried very hard to carve some of the pieces.

Lila caught onto Savannah's idea of carving a kitty and wouldn't let go of it.  At first, she was going to have three pumpkins - Bert, Ernie and a rubber duck.  Luckily, Daddy worked hard to carve out a cat to Lila's liking.  I believe Lila caved one of the ears all by herself.  It took a very long time.  Her pumpkin evolved into a cat named Erika and then into a princess kitty. Only one person in this family would put a crown on a pumpkin!

Savannah came up with another original design for a cat.  I didn't help her at all except for carving out the whiskers and the tough part of the mouth.  Everything else was done by her mind and hand.  I think it was our best pumpkin this year.  It fits my big girl!

After the first few pumpkins were carved, the parents were left the remaining few. 

Here is the final product.  Not shabby. . .

Even better. . .

4" Later

I can't even light the pumpkins we carved last night! I don't know about you, but I am not ready for gloves, hats, snow pants, boots and melted puddles of snow cluttering up my house.  Apparently my girls are. . .