We can all go back to a time, in our childhood, where we remember the springtime and summertime flowers blooming. There were tulips and daffodils, daisies and roses and all kinds of beautiful colors on bushes, trees and in people's yards. The people who plant them want their yard to look bright and cheery and the kids walking by them want to pick all of the beautiful blooms and give them to Mommy.
I couldn't even tell you how many times I heard, "Amy DON'T pick that!" or "Those are for looking at, not touching." I can also remember the look on Mom's face when you or your sibling walks in with tulips that although beautiful, didn't come from your yard and she knew she was going to have to apologize to the neighbor for her child destroying their garden.
Kids do not discriminate with flowers. They will pick the bulbs that come up year after year and the dandelions that you are working hard to get rid of and all the while they just want to bring something beautiful to their Mommy, to say I love you Mom.
When Callie turned 1, we did not have a party for her. Well, we DID have a small special tea party lunch for her, BUT we only had Gram and Papa and the rest of the day I told other friends and family they were welcome to stop by to see her. She was so shy that at her brother's party 2 months prior, she hid and cried at all the commotion in the house. Obviously I knew it was not a good idea, or her idea of fun, to have a get together at the house. So instead we kept it casual and when folks asked what they could bring for a gift I simply said, "A Perennial or a pack of seeds." That's it?? Yes, that is it. We are going to plant her a flower garden along the fence.
This was probably one of the best ideas I ever had and for so many reasons.
The first being, I allow the kids to pick any and all of the flowers in the "Kid's Flower Garden" They know that they aren't to pick other people's flowers, gardens etc... and they ONLY pick from theirs.
The second, it was very inexpensive for guests and easy to shop for them as well.
The main thing is that the kid's help to plant them, water them and take care of them and as their reward, they can cut them and fill the house with blooms without getting in trouble!
When we move, I will miss this house so much and for so many reasons and I will also take this tradition on to the new home and plant a bunch of flowers that can be picked and delivered to the people the kids want to show their love to. I know that our wildflowers and daisies ALWAYS bring a smile to my face...even though they are usually covered with ants :)
