Halloween festivities got off to a rocky start around here. You may remember that each child took great care in selecting his or her pumpkin. Last Saturday the kiddos designed their pumpkins and around the kitchen table we embarked on the adventure all parents both love and dread – the annual pumpkin carving event. Something about huge knives and excited kids is scarier than any Halloween ghost or zombie I’ve encountered. We carved our way through our family of pumpkins and immediately displayed them on the front porch with tremendous pride.
Dawn came early and the kiddos quickly discovered that our pumpkins had been abducted. Once the tears dried and the melt-downs ceased, the bigger kids went into private investigator mode. With walkie-talkies in hand, they began to case the neighbourhood for clues.
They discovered some evidence at the local park. At first there were some identification issues, but short of having dental records, we felt confident in making a positive ID – they were indeed our family of victim pumpkins. Of course I was left to field the unanswerable question: “Mama, WHY would someone do this to our pumpkins??”
Hmmmm….. good question. I did a re-enactment of how I thought it went down, playing the role of several bored teenagers out on the suburban streets looking for action, daring and double-dog daring each other. While it provided some entertainment, it occurred to me that I was on my computer until after midnight on crime night and from my home office I have a clear view of the front porch. So assuming my stereo-type is correct and teenagers were the culprits, it means they were hanging in the streets of my ‘hood in the very wee hours of the morning.
Has the word “curfew” fallen out of the English language? I predict that in a few short years I will earn the label of “uncool mama” when my five teens are required to hang out with each other (this is what siblings in big families do) and then must also return home at a time set by me. I predict I will embrace my uncool mama status without a second thought or an ounce of hesitation.
I have put some thought into the teenage years and have devised a sneaky plan. I’m going to create that house where all the teenagers hang out. It will be a house equipped with things that draw them in – a heated swimming pool, a pool table, a teenager-friendly basement with a freezer full of microwavable pizzas and a fridge full of coke. Ah, teenage wasteland right under my nose – AND my watchful eye. I understand there will be drawbacks like outrageous noise levels and even the occasional liquor cabinet raid. It will all be worth it when I can sleep soundly at night during the Halloween season knowing that no teenager under my watch is thieving pumpkins from innocent neighbourhood children!
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Cute story! We are all about have a house that other kids will want to hang out too so we can make sure they stay out of trouble when they’re older.
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great pic!
What a shame your kids had to learn such an awful lesson about people.
If you’re looking for someone to test drive that basement you’re planning, let me know!