The next two days are officially get-ready weekend for my family. Our second little girl is due to be born in a few weeks, but my wife is already 4cm effaced, so it could be any day now (the bags are packed and in the trunk!)
We are very fortunate to have my mother staying with us through Sunday. She will assist with all things home-related: weeding, planting, laundry, cleaning (yes, she does windows!). We must get the house ready, inside and out, for the summer season and for our new arrival. While most of this cleaning activity interests me not, I am positively giddy about one job I must do tomorrow.
We are, for the very first time, going to let our girl choose annuals to plant in her very own garden. My job, the one I am looking forward to, is cutting her a modest, peanut shaped garden that will surround her little pine tree (the beautiful little tree was gift to her from my parents on her first Christmas three years ago – something that is growing up with her). Once her garden is cut, my daughter and her Mom-mom are going to spend time digging in the freshly tilled soil, planting her vibrant yellow and purple inpatients and pruning her tree (which is already taller than her and growing is a variety of odd directions).
If you have a yard, or any small space that gets some sun light, think about letting your kid(s) spend a couple dollars to buy some colorful annuals and plant their own garden (also consider container gardens for inside if outdoor space is a premium or if you are a city dweller). With their own garden, your kids will learn about life, patience (a virtue in life, and most certainly in gardening!), renewal, the soil, the earth and have some responsibility to boot – as they must learn to water and care for their flowers. Using annuals instead of perennials allows them select and plant their favorite color(s) every year and gives them some latitude to be creative in the yearly flower/color combinations.