Princess Pumpkins...

On the 21st, Emily and I got a pumpkin while we were out and she was insistent that we carve it up. Then, since I am always talking about everything Emily does NOT eat, she decided to taste the outside of the pumpkin.

And to really make me look like a liar, she licked the inside too!
Then, after a little hesitation, she touched some of the gooey insides.

With all of the "work" out of the way, I prepped the pumpkin for carving.
Emily wanted me to carve Belle, but her face was too big for the pumpkin we had, so Emily was happy with Ariel.
If you haven't done this type of pumpkin yet, (specifically the princesses) this is how it goes. First, you tape the stencil on your pumpkin (above). Second, you poke holes, tracing all around the stencil.
Third, you pause to let your daughter take a picture of your progress with her cell phone.
Fourth, you peel off the paper - it is very exciting!
Fifth, you try to regain your composure since you will be on the brink of tears as you stare blankly at the hundreds of little dots that do not in any way resemble a princess.
Sixth, you start sawing while cursing under your breath. You will be cursing anyone who had any part in ever dreaming up these kits, anyone who was involved in advertising the princess pack front and center for all the little girls to see in the Target weekly ad, and when you are at a really low point you might even curse Halloween. But, saw you will...
because at the end you know there will be a REALLY happy little girl!

The seventh and final step is to hand over the tools to your spouse with a smile and a "good luck" pat on the back.
I followed all of these steps and very soon (the next day), Daddy was carving away on his first pumpkin.
It was Cinderella.
Then, without any break, Emily showed him the next princess he was to carve. She had a lot of detail... Daddy was thrilled!
In the middle of the carving process, he needed a little pick me up so he stuck a candle in Cinderella and surprised Emily at the back window.
The first thing she said was, "Daddy, I have to tell you something! You haven't finished Belle yet!!!"

He did eventually finish Belle and by Sunday, the 23rd, he was on his final pumpkin (silly Daddy, he bought 3).
The last one was Tiana, and Emily helped out.
Everett wasn't really helping but he was smiling and kicking so much when the camera came over that I had to get a picture of him too.
That night Daddy lit up his masterpieces and we were all very pleased.
Now, what were we going to do with these pumpkins when we were still a week away from Halloween?!
Well, knowing that it was an uphill battle, we did everything the "pumpkin kit powers that be" told us to...
and had all of our beautiful princesses stored in a cool dry place.
Emily's bathtub that isn't used.
(For some reason Tiana is hanging on. She is moldy but still solid. For now.)

It was a SAD, SAD time when Grandpa helped haul out the mess last night. (Daddy said he couldn't be a part of it after all of his hard work.)
They were liquifying and draining down the tub. THANK GOODNESS they were IN the tub!
And in the end, all three pumpkins (Belle, Ariel who never even had a candle in her, and Cinderella) fit in a regular size trash can. With room to spare.
Obviously we wanted to see all of them lit up on Halloween night, but they did provide the fun and "family time" we were looking for. Farewell dear princesses!