I look up from my writing station (the loveseat) because something catches my eye out the sliding glass doors. He appears to be a two-year old.

And he is not alone! It looks like this little guy is still with mom.

They’re enjoying the uncharacteristically green November lawn that follows the warmest October on record. After the recent snowiest winter on record, these two are not complaining. But hang on… Junior has spotted something.

A cast-off pumpkin, leftover from Halloween!

There is a long process of discovery in which he realizes that his jaw cannot unhinge wide enough to take a bite. And on top of it, he doesn’t have hands. A dilemma.

A strategy of shaving the pumpkin, using the front bottom teeth is employed.

Uh oh. Someone has spotted the treat. I’m guessing Mom has had a pumpkin before, and wants her share of the seasonal delicacy.

She inspects the situation closely, weighing her options.

Move off, kid. I’m the mom.

Petulant toddler head-shakey tantrum.

A tentative truce. Sharing is caring.

G’aaawwwww! 5 minutes of cuteness!

Frustration and antagonism begin to mount, and neither can manage a bite. Crankiness abounds.

Sulking, and weighing of the options.

Both go back to eating grass, and abandon the pumpkin rather than argue about it.

I check in later to find mom taking a little hiatus. The pumpkin is still there.

And junior hangs out under the window. Although this particular pumpkin was abandoned in the name of peace, the fate of the missing Jack-o-lantern on the front porch is anyone’s guess.