There's really no fast track when it comes to gardening with my children. If there's any detour thats possible, you can bet that they're going to take it. If there's mud, they need to make a cake with it. If there's worms or grubs, the kids will be building a home for them. If there's a chance that something was buried in the garden last year (like Micah's cars) we are going to need to dig for them. (Check out our photo album below for some examples of the detours we've been taking.) I tend to indulge these side tracks, at least some of the time. Its because I believe that there is value in getting to know earthworms personally, and knowing what it feels like to have mud between your fingers. Sure, sometimes its more difficult to accomplish what I see as the goals for each day. And sometimes my patience runs thin. What I love best are the times, like today, when I am able to let go of my own ideas of what an afternoon spent gardening with my children should involve. What I love best are the times I can allow myself to get lost with them for a precious hour or two in the magical microcosm that I might have missed.
I seem to remember pictures of worms in your hands from when you were younger than you kids are now. Cute.
Posted by: Clay | January 17, 2009 at 07:32 PM
Thanks for commenting Clay! Yep, I guess I didn't mind holding worms so much when I was littler. These guys are helping me to relive my childhood!
Posted by: Katie | January 21, 2009 at 09:54 AM