The Joy of Gardening

My daughters’ school started a little garden club a couple years back.  They built several raised boxes last year and this afternoon we spent some time planting tomato and pumpkin plants that students grew from seed in their classrooms.  We will “sponsor” a box or two to care for over the summer and watch the plants grow.  While we’d still like to have a garden at home, our garden box at the school will be a fun project for our family over the summer.

Young girl's hands planting a tomato plant.

The Joy of Gardening

I was a little sad to see how few kiddos actually showed up to participate this afternoon.  Perhaps starting the garden should be part of the school day itself?  A school garden can be used in many parts of the curriculum. There are so many benefits for kids who spend time gardening.  Growing your own food encourages healthier eating; it’s so much more exciting to eat a vegetable grown from a tiny seed into part of your dinner!  Gardening has been proven to reduce stress and improve mood.  The learning experiences in a garden are endless!

I’d love to see everyone consider doing a little gardening with their family this summer.  If you can’t swing a full-blown garden plot, consider planting a little container garden or even a few plants on a sunny windowsill. Or, consider joining a community garden — there’s several around the Denver metro area. While you’re at it, enjoy a few garden-related learning activities as part of your summer fun!

 

A Lucky Little Ladybug

It is said that a ladybug brings good luck.  This lucky little ladybug came to visit with my friend and me, and our daughters, as they waited to try out for a school talent show.  They all did well so perhaps that luck was granted.

A Lucky Ladybug

A Lucky Ladybug

She Ain’t Heavy!

With three daughters so close in age, the sibling rivalry in our household is often pretty fierce.  But once in a while, they truly surprise me and melt my heart.  DD#3 was having a tough time separating from her BFF this afternoon after school, so (once we released the death grip the BFFs had on each other) DD#2 gave DD#3 a piggy back ride back to our van to ease the transition.  I’m honestly not sure how she does it as I don’t think she has much more than an inch and ten pounds on her little sister, but she stepped up and made the afternoon a bit easier.  Simple blessings…

DD#2 Giving DD#3 a Piggy Back Ride

She Ain’t Heavy!