Each Fall we host our annual Pumpkin Painting party for friends and neighbors. This year marks our fifth one (you can see past years here, here and here, plus party throwing tips here)! Each year I find myself wondering whether maybe we should just skip it because, let's face it, October is such a busy month for everyone! But, then, each year Violet and Henry start excitedly chatting about it and planning for it...and so we toss it on the calendar and send out invitations, and then I think...how the heck am I going to get Halloween costumes, school parties and this pumpkin painting party all done in time?
And then, somehow it just works!
We decorate...
And paint, of course...
And eat... There is a feast of pumpkin to eat...pumpkin muffins, pumpkin handpies (my favorite!), pumpkin spiced rice krispie treats, pumpkin spiced pretzels, pumpkin macaroni and cheese (a huge hit!), butternut squash soup, butternut squash lasagna, chicken and butternut squash chili and then apple crisp and apples and jack o' clementines...and more...
We play games like pumpkin bean bag toss...
Pumpkin Patch Balloon pop...
And bobbing for apples...which is always a hoot! These kids are not at all afraid of dunking their entire head into that bucket for an apple! It's so much fun to watch!
It was such a fun day, as it always is! And, I thought, how could I have even considered not having this party! So many of our friends have been coming to our pumpkin painting party since the very beginning and they know exactly what to expect (it doesn't change much from year to year) and those who are new to the games and paint and food don't hesitate to jump right it!
Yes, October is busy...but, the fun with friends both young and old is so worth the effort! We are already looking forward to next year's party!
(ps. chalkboard pumpkin tees here...)
