Trick? or Treat?

So, when I was in the grocery store last week, I saw these little packets of carving knives and pumpkin seed scrapers that said they were safe for 5 years old and up. I looked at the price sign above the packets and it said $.99. I grabbed 3 packets for my 3 kids and turned around to help them pick out pumpkins.

Later, when the cashier gave me my total, I thought it sounded a little high for the amount of groceries I had purchased but I didn't give it too much thought and headed on my way. About half way home as I was sitting, waiting for the light to turn green at an intersection, it struck me again. I grabbed my wallet and pulled out my receipt. I scanned it quickly, keeping one eye on the traffic light. Then I saw it...

Pumpkin Carving Kit..........$4.58.

"WHAT?!" I shrieked exclaimed.

"What?" "What?" "What?" cried all the kids from the backseat.

"uh, nothing..." I said and smiled back at them.

But I was upset frustrated. What I thought had cost me $2.97 had actually cost me $13.74. As I churned it over in my mind, I completely forgot to make my last stop at the gas station on my way home. A couple of miles later, when I remembered, I turned my car around and headed back toward the gas station and back toward the grocery store. The thought crossed my mind to go back to the store and return the packets then but, I realized that that would take me another hour. No way!, I would do it next time I went. I got my gas and headed home.

Later that evening I told my husband about my purchase. "I must have read the wrong sign or maybe they were in the wrong place..." I complained said.

"Well, maybe you should keep 2 sets since one is already opened and since each set has 2 knives. That will give them each a knife to use." He said.

So, they ended up using 2 sets the other evening to carve their pumpkins. I have the other set ready to go back to the store next time I go. I still can't believe that what I thought would cost me $2.97 ended up costing almost $10, but... this was the fist year the kids actually got to completely scrape out and carve their own pumpkins all by themselves. Now that's worth something.... maybe even $10 dollars!

Pumpkin carving party with Grandma and Grandpa!











We spent the rest of the evening eating these, playing dress up, and visiting. It wasn't a traditional Halloween but it worked great for us this year. Even the kids thought it was pretty fun. Later, Kyla and I made these...



The recipe is here.

So, that is the story of our pumpkin carving and Halloween this year. I guess I was the one that got tricked this year. But it sure was a treat that the kids got to carve their pumpkins all by themselves this year.

Ya win some, ya lose some...

Have a splendid week!

8 comments:

Heather S said...

what a bummer. i bought our girls some princess/fairy costumes after halloween since they were 75% off. at the register they ran up full price. i quickly jumped the clerk.. who fixed the problem :)

Darcie said...

I understand the feeling...frustrating...but glad it all ended well, and with a lot of cute carved pumpkins!

Lovin' the rounded edges on your pictures too. ;-)

Anonymous said...

The grins on their pumpkins and their faces... priceless!!! :)

Wrena said...

IMHO you are still awsome
What a happy ending!!

Carin said...

How frustrating! I was worried there for a sec you were going to run out of gas. I'm guessing those pumpkins came out of YOUR garden? Looks like they had fun.

Alison said...

Actually it really wasn't a big deal, a few dollars. I'm sure I waste money on a lot of worse things but, I guess I just had to write down one of my life's experiences. Ha!

No, Carin, these pumpkins were'nt from our garden. I used those for decorating and they are mush now so we bought nice, perfect, bright orange pumpkins for carving. :)

Anonymous said...

I've done that... it's frustrating when it happens, but I usually end up not taking them back. My niece fixed the pumpkin seeds from our jack-o-lanterns and they turned out nice. I did notice a difference in the seeds, though... one was from a local farmer grower and the others were from the grocery store. The farmer pumpkin was nicer, oranger, and the seeds more filled out than the others. anyhow... fun memories. Glad you wrote 'em down!

Lani said...

Oh bummer... so what's the consensus on the pumpkin carving sets then? Are they worth buying? Every year we slave away with a big kitchen knife and I always wonder if those little carving sets work. Love the kids pumpkins, by the way. And also... did you like the pumpkin seeds with the cinnamon? We made eight cups of pumpkin seeds this year, but I usually just use salt and olive oil.