Sunday, April 13, 2014

Of plants and worms?

Why are weekends never long enough?  It seems time speeds up during the weekends and creeps along during the week.  

Saturday the kids had a chance to help their uncle K build a swing set.  They love visiting because he lets them help out in whatever project he is working on around the house.  They had shovels, and drills and  left numerous holes in my sister's yard, much to their delight (and her horror!).  They dug for worms, they made mud; and learn how to build something.  Who said learning only happens inside?

They now have a new project at home.  Mimi has given each of them a potted plant to take care of.  I guess I should confess I do not have a green thumb.  Many of the women in my family (abuela, mom, sisters) have been blessed with the ability to grow anything.  A plant may be brown and almost dead and these women will resuscitate it and bring it back to life!  I, on the other hand, have been known for killing a cactus (or two) in my life.  

So the kids have to depend on my mom to learn all about taking care of plants.  She gave each of them plant they are to take care of from now on.  Let's hope their thumbs are greener than mine!  They are so excited to watch these plants grow and I'm excited for them.  What better way to learn about plants, photosynthesis, etc?  I can't think of one.

We have set the plants by the window, on a bench my uncle built for me when I was 3 years old.  This bench has traveled thousand miles or more to be here today.  For many years, Abuelo (my mom's dad) kept it at his house, while my family moved to two different countries.  A few years back, before he passed, he sent it to me.  He said I should have it so one day I could pass it on the kids.  It holds such a special place in my heart.  It ties me to my childhood, to my roots back in Panama, to my grandfather, and my uncle and all those who had such an important place in my life as a kid.

Now the kids get to use to watch their plants grown.  I am sure Abuelo is smiling down on them.