| October's big event, Halloween, tends to dominate | | | | Remove seeds from the pulp, and rinse thoroughly. |
| the month. By the time October first rolls around, | | | | Sprinkle with salt, and roast at 350 for about 25 |
| store shelves are stocked with candy and costumes, | | | | minutes. Let cool, and serve. Little children may need |
| and fall has definitely arrived. Consider a few of the | | | | help removing freshly roasted seeds from shells.o |
| following fun activities to enjoy the season:o Plan a | | | | Build scarecrows. Use old clothing and straw to build a |
| "Pumpkin Sunday". Choose one of the Sundays in | | | | scarecrow for the outside of your home, kids will |
| October, and make a family event around it. Make | | | | enjoy both the fun of building and seeing the finished |
| sure all schedules are clear, and plan on spending the | | | | product each time they go outside.o Make Halloween |
| day together. Purchase your pumpkins in advance, | | | | costumes. Halloween costumes you make yourself |
| and pack carving supplies to bring with you to your | | | | are usually more fun then ones you buy. If your child |
| local park or picnic spot. Bring a lunch, and plan on | | | | simply must have a store bought costume, try |
| spending some time together away from the | | | | supplementing it with some homemade accessories. |
| television! By carving your pumpkin away from home, | | | | The key to making a great costume isn't skill, but |
| you can do all of the messy work outdoors, and | | | | time. If you plan on making your own costume, make |
| simply bring home your finished jack-o-lantern for | | | | sure you give yourself plenty of time to work, and |
| display. Make sure you pack a lunch as well, pumpkin | | | | that you have all the materials you need to make the |
| carving is hard work!o Visit the pumpkin patch. | | | | costume of your dreams.o Decorate the house for |
| Depending on where you live, take a drive to a local | | | | Halloween. You don't need to go all out, but just |
| farm or other facility and pick your own pumpkin. Let | | | | decorating the door and front porch with Halloween |
| each child pick their own pumpkin (within reason, you | | | | stuff can make your home look seasonal and |
| won't get a 300 pound behemoth into your car), and | | | | festive.o Rake leaves. If you do the raking, you will |
| be prepared to spend some time debating the merits | | | | get a great workout-and your kids will burn off a ton |
| of one pumpkin or another.o Save some of the | | | | of energy jumping into the piles. By mid October, you |
| seeds when you carve a pumpkin, and serve roasted | | | | should be able to rake up a decent sized leaf pile, |
| and salted as a fun and healthy seasonal snack. | | | | depending on where you live. |