It's a frightening cycle.
You go pumpkin picking early, whether it be at a farm stand, pumpkin patch or grocery store, in order to get the best of the harvest. But if you carve your orange treasure too early, it's likely to rot before the big day -- Halloween. So your pumpkin sits undecorated for a few weeks until it is time for the big makeover.
Now you understand this logic, but preschoolers are not predisposed to patience. I know in my house, the kids are clamoring to carve their jack-o-lanterns (or have my husband and me do it) the minute we get the pumpkins home. You could buy more pumpkins the closer we get to the end of the month, but honestly, how many do you really need? By me, pumpkins are nearly 60 cents a pound -- quite a bit of seed, especially if you have a big specimen.
Instead of carving, try painting the pumpkins instead with washable paint. Keep them inside to protect them from the elements and from hungry critters like birds, squirrels, chipmunks and raccoons. A day or two before the 31st, wash off the paint and viola! you've got a pumpkin prime for carving.
