The Pumpkin and the Cat

This year we got two pumpkins, which was sort of by accident, as there was a lack of coordination in who was buying what, but it did mean that Mole and Hedgehog got one each. Not that Hedgehog knew or cared much, being one.

I don’t much care for the trick or treating, but I do like a well carved pumpkin, and all the delicious things you can make with the scooped out flesh. This year I attempted a Pumpkin Pie from a Sarah Raven recipe, which included cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, syrup and dark brown sugar, and it was fantastic. It was also the first time I’ve ever made pastry, which is a new breakthrough in my culinary skills.

Our Halloween went something like this.

On the Friday I took Mole and Hedgehog to their regular playgroup which was doing a huge Halloween bash, complete with costumes, prizes, and plenty of sugar. We looked in the dressing up box and I presented Mole with the ‘witch outfit’ that has been waiting to be worn for over a year, and she picks her regular favourite pink fairy outfit. She peels it off half way through the playgroup session. I don’t have the energy to dress up Hedgehog too.

At the end of the session all the kiddies got presents of candy, which I pocketed with promises of having it later, since Mole had already wolfed down about four cupcakes. A major paddy followed with screaming protests on the floor and the plank of wood position every time I tried picking her up. Hedgehog looked on bemused.

I staggered back to the car with a wriggling Mole and Hedgehog under each arm, to pin them into their car seats and get the hell out of there. Once in their beds they slept off the sugar crash and normality was restored.

The rest of the day involved staying indoors in the warm, doing pumpkin scooping and watching ‘Aladdin’. I’d forgotten how good Aladdin is. Disney is really coming into its own now, especially in the late afternoon when everyone is a bit tired. It’s top of the list of ‘things to do with your toddler that don’t involve moving’.

Hedgehog prefers books to Disney, so she spent the afternoon toddling between the sofa and the toy cupboard, bringing me endless books to read, pointing and saying ‘Doggy’ every time the page was turned.

In the evening we went on some ‘spooky train rides’ at the local pub. This time Mole opted for a cat outfit, while I put Hedgehog in a Pumpkin dress. On the way round the track some live actors jump out at you, which I was prepared for, but Mole was not impressed and buried her face in my lap until the ride was over.

On the Sunday we went to a Samhain Festival at a place called Celtic Harmony, which is a Saxon Village that does different Iron age things like drumming, archery, flour milling, round house building and storytelling. Mole took archery lessons and proudly came home with a bow and arrow, which she likes to carry about. As long as she doesn’t shoot Hedgehog with it. Hedgehog on the other hand was obsessed by the owls and falcons, so we spent quite a long time with them, oh and jumping on bales of straw.

To round things off, Mr M&H took Mole out trick or treating on Monday, in her cat outfit. She stayed mute, holding the bucket while he did the talking, and quietly took the sweets, coming home with a big grin on her face.

Meanwhile I put Hedgehog to bed, sat with a big glass of wine and relaxed after all the festivities. Thank goodness that’s over.

Oh wait, it’s bonfire night this weekend.

Oh god.