Saturday, October 17, 2020

Kids and Halloween

My little friend P is ready for Halloween. He keeps changing his mind about the costume he wants to wear for trick or treating. At first, he planned to be a superhero that I'd never heard of (the Flash?) but since then he spotted a Ninja costume for sale somewhere and that's what his heart is set on. At least for now, anyway. His mom reports that he's also obsessed with the idea of carving a pumpkin this year. She's never carved a pumpkin in her life (oh the horror!) so she had no idea where to even begin. When I told her that I've carved plenty of pumpkins in my time, we hatched a plan to surprise little P a couple of nights before Halloween. Mom invited me over for a little pumpkin carving party....she's supplying the pumpkins, I'll bring along some safe carving tools and the knowledge of how to proceed. Oh, and candles. There's something magical about lighting a candle and putting it inside of a jack o' lantern to glow! I'm also planning to pick up a pizza on the way over to share. Little P. is going to be so surprised when I show up at his house to carve pumpkins with him and his momma! 

“First of all, it was October, a rare month for boys.”
― Ray Bradbury, Something Wicked This Way Comes

Here's a piece of Halloween art he made for me at school the other day. His mom said, "See? What did I tell you? He's obsessed with pumpkins this year!" when he presented it to me.




Of course, good manners meant a thank you note and reciprocal gift the next day:





That silly boy sat himself down at my desk one afternoon this week, put my reading glasses on, and said: "I'm MISTER BARLOW. Do not bother me, I am working!" Hahaha. That kid is a riot. The next day he rang the front door buzzer and when I looked at the camera, he was grinning up at it with a fake moustache and sunglasses on. I laughed so hard! Seeing this little guy is often the best part of my workday. I'm sure we'll have a blast carving pumpkins and eating pizza when the night comes!


38 comments:

  1. The Flash used to be one of my favorite comics when I was young; he's so fast you can't see him.

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  2. Not much trick and treating in the lockdown world this year

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  3. This child is the greatest! Will you be doing any fantastical carving?

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    1. No, I think I'll stick to simple templates that will be easy for everyone to do. More intricate carvings take more time than I'll be spending there. Plus, O want 8 year old P. to be able to successfully finish his.

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  4. P will remember these moments all his life!

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  5. Lovely post. We have problems pumpkin carving at halloween here. No ripe pumpkins!

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    1. That's right! Your seasons are reversed! What a crazy world. :)

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  6. The extrovert kids are always fun. I hope it follows him through life.

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    1. Yes, he's already got a good sense of humor. That will serve him well.

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  7. He is one special boy! I can see how it would be easy to get attached to him. That pumpkin carving party will be fun for all of you especially P!

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    1. I think his mom is looking forward to it too!

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  8. Sounds like fun! I haven't carved a pumpkin in years -- a kid is the essential ingredient in that process.

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    1. You don't need a kid! Adults can carve and drink wine and that's REALLY fun!

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  9. I'm guessing that the pumpkin carving/pizza party will be something he remembers for the rest of his life. Enjoy! :)

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  10. I carve 2-3 pumpkins one must always be scary as that is their job of course.

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  11. What sweetness that child is! It makes my heart happy to know that you two have each other.

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  12. What memorable fun that will be. For everyone.

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  13. I haven't carved a pumpkin since my kids were little. Your blog post reminded me of the pumpkin guts smell. Halloween sure will be different this year.

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  14. Shouldn't "trick or treating" be banned this year because of COVID-19?

    P's Auntie Jennifer is the best auntie ever but in turn P is a wonderful nephew. By the way, why did his parents call him P? Surely he deserved a full name like Paul, Peregrine or even Pumpkin!

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    1. Trick or treating will be seriously curtailed, but a few places (like the mall) are offering candy with plenty of safety measures in place.

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  15. Jennifer, I'm in stitches here about the "I'm MR Barlow"-scene little P. enacted for you!!!
    All three of you will have a great time when you go over for the pumpkin carving. Three Ps: Pizza, Pumpkin and Little P! :-D

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  16. You are helping to make his Halloween special during COVID! How sweet of you! We haven't figured out how (or if) we will distribute to trick or treaters this year. I think we will see how the weather might be...

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