Hehe...SURPRISE! You can most definitly decorate them but eating them isnt reccomended i hear that not good unless really young and even then they probably not all that good. experiment try it out and if you dont want to see them again make sure you get rid of all the gourds and dont throw them back in the compost :o) post some pics!

Wendy,
You said you don't know Jack about gourds.Well you make a very good guess because if I'm not mistaken you just found
A Jack Be Little gourd.Alot of times a teacher will put these little gourds on their desk for baby pumpkins at the fall of the year or halloween time.I hope this helps you.
Don

Surprise ,you got gourds! We grow gourds as decoration only,I have heard you could eat them but I am not so sure I would try :).