Gardening is a Family Affair

by Carolyne
(North Carolina)

One year for Mother's Day, my husband, Jim, and my children, Ty and Henslee started a garden for me. It was the sweetest thing I have ever gotten! They couldn't get very much done without me noticing, since it was in my backyard, but I pretended not to notice them working on it for a few days. They decided where it was going to be and got it all marked off. After talking to Jim about it, we decided that we would turn Mommy's Mother's Day present into a family project. The kids loved that idea, and they were eager to get started.

Ty and Henslee each got to pick out a different flower that they wanted to plant in our garden. My little Henslee chose some cute purple petunias, while Ty chose dahlias. Jim planted me a beautiful spread of tulips and forget-me-nots, which are my absolute favorite when combined. I picked out some nice lilac to plant.

We let the kids pick out little spades that they wanted to dig with, and we got them little gloves to go with the spades. Henslee got a sunhat to wear while helping in the garden, and Ty, who is definitely growing up too soon, wore a baseball cap (like his Daddy). We all set to work out in the garden. Henslee decided that playing in the dirt was more fun than she imagined.

We had so much fun starting the garden on that first day. I was really surprised how well the kids did with digging and planting. They showed great patience, and it was definitely a blessing for me as a parent. Jim and I taught them the names of everything that we planted, and after we had gotten done with the planting and went inside to get cleaned up, I sat down with Ty and Henslee and we made little signs to go in front of each section of flowers.

I couldn't love our little garden more than I do! I think the reason I love it so much is because we put it together as a family.

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