G is for Great Little Gardener
Ryan loves to help me in the garden. But he doesn't like to do anything where he will get dirt on his hands. This makes finding horticultural tasks that he enjoys difficult.
Until one day he picked up the hedge trimmers. I have to admit I was a little nervous when he looked up at me with his gleaming brown eyes, sharp trimmers in hand and said, "Mom I'll trim the bushes for you!"
I imagined that either the bushes would end up with a buzz cut like his own head, or he would trim a little bit of himself. But maybe if I showed him how to use them, he could actually be of some help.
I didn't get much gardening done that day, instead I stood back and watched as he carefully chose which branches he wanted to lop off, some of which were too thick for him to cut through. Together we got the bush done...and then he wanted to go inside. But in his heart was now planted the love of the garden.
Have a gorgeous Saturday!
Kathy :)
The word for Ryan is "gloves"...no dirt! If he wore all of the protective gear according to OSHA...no dirt. And just wait until he gets ahold of electric trimmers. But it is great that he has an interest and he can only get better at it. :)
ReplyDeleteLet's hope his interest in gardening keeps up. It's a shame I'm so far away otherwise he could come and trim my hedge!
ReplyDeleteWe had a gorgeous Saturday! It was perfect for gardening here in Michigan, too. We trimmed down the rose bushes in half. Grandpa thought it was way too much to trim off of the new growths. I said, "But that's what the landscape specialist told us to do. One third in October; another one third in April, which is one half of what's left." We'll let you know how they turn out. It did break my heart, too, to have to get rid of so many beautiful new growths...
ReplyDeleteHow lovely that he found something to enjoy, which will plant those first seeds of love for gardening :-)
ReplyDeleteGardening is good for the soul too. I like the process, and enjoy the results. I've toned down what I grow though, so I have time to write. Mostly herbs and geraniums, now. (the geraniums are tough and last all season if you deadhead them, the herbs are for cooking).
ReplyDeleteI second the commenter who said, Wear Gloves. I don't like dirt under my fingernails either.
He found something he could do! I was the same way as a kid. I didn't want to get dirty.
ReplyDeleteAww! This is fabulous. I think it's wonderful when the kids are allowed to work and create, especially in the garden. What a fun sense of accomplishment! Darling picture too!
ReplyDeleteSo glad I found your blog. I love the green. Perfect color for spring!
What a cute story! Loved it
ReplyDeleteHow lovely. It's nice to be able to do things like this together. They feel helpful and as though they have achieved something quite big don't they. You can just see it on his face :)
ReplyDeleteYou are so brave, Kathy! (I'd be imagining beloved wee fingers amongst the branches... shivering as I write that). But, awesome that he has found a way to help out and fall in love with the great outdoors. Yay!
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