Glass Pumpkins

This blog was not up and running a few weeks ago when our family visited the glass museum. I was downloading the pictures and wanted to write about the day anyway.

For those of you who don't know, R. is now a project engineer for a large glass production company. This area is well known for glass.

Next to his company's offices is a glass museum. We decided to check it out. We didn't make a thorough day of it given that the kids are not too interested in every glass sculpture. (Besides, I was a nervous wreck we'd get kicked out if my kids left one more set of handprints on the glass enclosures!) Everyone jokes that about the only place to take out-of-town guests is the glass museum, so I'm sure we will become very familiar soon enough. My favorite of our short visit was an exquisite, life-size glass dress. Gorgeous! Although not too practical for the every-day woman's wardrobe--too transparent!

What we did do, however, is schedule the kids to participate in glass blowing. During the month of October children can blow their own glass pumpkins. We knew the experience would be lost a bit on A.M. but that E.R. would enjoy it. He did not disappoint and asked a lot of questions, so many the young man teaching them couldn't help but laugh.

The kids were able to choose their own colors for their pumpkins. They both chose orange pumpkins with green stems--the first traditional pumpkins of the day according to the glass blowers. R. leaned over and whispered they must be subconsciously influenced by my need to have everything fit and conform. I emphatically stated I was, in no way, to blame for our children's choices in pumpkins. But honestly, who would NOT choose an orange pumpkin with a green stem!

E.R. blew his pumpkin first. He did great once he got the hang of it. A.M. lasted two surprisingly good puffs on the blower then she no longer wanted to wear the protective glasses. R. finished for her. The next day A.M. and I picked up their finished pumpkins. This is when A.M. decided she LOVED her pumpkin. She insisted on carrying it around all evening, with me following nervously behind to ensure it lasted the night. (We did pay for it, I wasn't about to see it broken on the floor!) What a fun Saturday afternoon.