The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze

 I blog about this event every year, and one reason is tradition. One of my favorite authors Gretchen Rubin says this about tradition, "Studies show that family traditions are important to happiness. Family rituals encourage children's social development and boost feelings of family cohesiveness by 17 percent. They help provide connection and predictability, which people—especially children—crave. Without traditions, holidays don't feel much different from ordinary life." (link to full article here). I really like that that thought about traditions.

When we were living in Singapore Lyndon mentioned that it did not feel like Christmas, because it was still hot. Weather is another association with holidays. It goes a long to say, would it be Christmas with out snow? Think about it, would it be Christmas without presents or Santa? Would it be Thanksgiving with out turkey? Would it be Easter with out Easter baskets? These are most traditions that in the US we do. Going to the Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze is what we Plothows do every Halloween season. It would not be the same if we missed it. It enhances our happiness, and makes the season more festive. 

Once again, here is our favorite pumpkin place:The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze! It was just as spectacular as it is every year. With a few new things. My Mom was in town again this year for it. Not planned that way, but maybe this will be a new tradition? I am down with it. 




"Welcome" carved into all these pumpkins in different languages. 
I spy a Henry in a big eye. 

Jack O'Lanterns on parade. 


The following three pictures are new this year. I especially love the headless horseman in The Scream. 








This cute little elephant was a new addition to the circus train. 
Loved the dog walker. 
Schnitzel's Blaze debut. 





Me and my cute Leo. We are both Leos. I thougtht Coco was too, but she missed it by one day. Her birthday is last day of Cancer.


Did you know that a Pegasus with a horn is actually a alicorn.
















The following for your own jack o'lantern carving inspiration. The kids went through these photos and got some ideas. Lots asks for scary faces on theirs. 
















We finished the night with hot cocoa and popcorn. As Henry has been saying it is now hot cocoa season. I love this Blaze tradition of ours. 

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