Friday, May 30, 2008

My Little Helper

The sun is peeking through the clouds today, and there is a threat of rain and possible storms later in the day. But I'm not going to complain even if I don't get much done in the garden today. Yesterday was such a perfect day with temperatures in the 70's, bright sunshine, and a gentle breeze. I accomplished a lot in the garden yesterday, thanks to my little helper.

He helped me dig holes to plant alyssum along the border of the sidewalk flower bed.


He enjoyed using all of Grandma's gardening tools, especially the "chopper" from Beckie.


We planted more flowers in the containers.



He dug out some weeds in the vegetable garden.


Then we picked some lettuce.


He thought Grandma's hosta worked nicely as a drum set.

And when he got tired of gardening (well, maybe it was Grandma who was tired), we found some of his Daddy's old toys in the barn.


And he took some time to spin around the yard to inspect Grandpa's mowing job.


This is my 3 1/2-year-old grandson who likes visiting Grandma's house. I am "the grandma who isn't old," his distinction between me and his other grandmother. I laughed at this, but can commiserate with his other grandma. His cousin--my 41/2-year-old granddaughter--once told me, "Grandma, you are the oldest person I know!" Ahh, out of the mouths of babes...

All in all, it was a perfect day. And when his mother picked him up after her day at work, Grandma lay down on the couch and took a nap.


"Grandchildren are God's way of compensating us for growing old." --Mary H. Waldrip

15 comments:

  1. Rose,

    He's adorable, really adorable and such a helper. Does he make mudpies? I remember how much fun it was when I was his age and visited my fun-grandmother!

    Gail

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  2. I used to love working in the garden with my kids while they were growing up. Now it is just me out there all alone. I can't wait to have grandkids so I can share my garden with children again.

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  3. Gail, Yes, I think he's adorable, too. I don't think we've ever made mudpies, but he does get quite dirty at Grandma's house!

    Daphne, I wasn't much of a gardener when my kids were growing up, so they gardened with their grandma.
    Grandchildren are truly wonderful; I promise you will enjoy them when they come.

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  4. Your grandson is adorable!

    My grandson will turn two on Sunday. Right now he seems to think I am pretty. He touches my hair and looks into my eyes. I like that. After you turn 60 not too many people think you are pretty, so I cherish his loving touches.
    I look forward to having him visit and work in the garden with me with his little watering can.

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  5. Having the little ones help out is such a great way to make more gardeners. I'm sure he'll treasure his memories of gardening with Grandma. I am so looking forward to having grandchildren (mine aren't even teenagers yet). That is one huge Hosta - you may be struggling with Astilbes, but you're doing something right with Hostas.

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  6. I'm pretty sure the 'young' grandma made major points yesterday. All the fun neat things the two of you did together. And you were making memories to last a his whole life. It's funny, but I remember more clearly the things I did with my grandparents. Those memories are so pleasant and comforting.

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  7. What a sweet little boy. And such a good helper! I really enjoyed this post. You are so lucky, even if you're the oldest person in the world (well, your grandchild's world). LOL!

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  8. Jane Marie, Grandchildren are such a joy, aren't they? My husband and I always look forward to their visits.


    MMD, The hosta is a Sum and Substance. My friend Beckie and I first saw one in a public garden in St. Charles or Geneva--it must have been 6 feet across. Mine is about 4 years old, but this year it seems to have doubled in size.

    Beckie, When his mom drove up, he started crying and said, "I don't want to go home!" That made my day.

    Wendy, Thanks; I am indeed lucky. I have five grandchildren, all of whom live close enough that I can see them often.

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  9. Isn't it fun to get a different perspective from the young kids? I remember a few years ago when my younger son was in Kindergarten we were out by the garden talking about caterpillars turning into butterflies. I decided to test him to see what he knew about it. I asked him what does a butterfly come out of? I expected him to say cocoon. He surprised me and said chysalis!

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  10. What a beautiful child Rose, I love to look at their facial expressions, they say so much more than words ever can.
    They keep our hearts and minds young, for that we thank them.
    A lovely post and a delight to see one of your little treasures.

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  11. This is such a sweet post, and how lucky you are to have him come to help.
    As a grandmother I first noticed how adorable that little helper is... but as a gardener, noticing the enormous hosta was a close second, Rose!

    Sum and Substance must appreciate all the rain you've had. We haven't had a drop with our heat wave so instead of reading blogs I'm walking around with the hose.

    Annie at the Transplantable Rose

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  12. I wouldn't want to come inside if I had such a helper Rose. You are mightly blessed.

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  13. Laura, Kids seem to know so much more today than when I was a child!

    Cheryl, Yes, he is one of my little "treasures." The nice thing about being a grandma is that I have more time to spend (or maybe it's just that I take the time) with them than with my own children when they were young.

    Annie, Thanks, and I wish I could send some of this rain your way! My hostas seem to be going crazy this year. I may have to move around some plants to give this S&S more room.

    Lisa, He really enjoyed the day; I think I've just created a gardener!

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  14. I love your chopper! What a great tool.

    And I'm envious of your grandson - I am so looking forward to having grandchildren.

    Those hosta look magnificent.

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  15. "Grandchildren are God's way of compensating us for growing old."

    How true... I look forward to granchildren. But I have two granddogs in the meantime :o)

    I love your little boy on the green tractor. Very sweet.

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