Gardening with Kids – Arranging Hydrangeas

When I was little, my mom had an amazing greenhouse in our back yard. I remember spending hours on the floor of the greenhouse, playing in the fallen dirt and seeds with my sister and brother. I think about that greenhouse all of the time and think about how little I must have been and how lucky I am to have those memories. My children are now 5 and 6 and I am trying to turn everyday activities into sweet, memorable moments with them.

It doesn't take much to make and capture a moment with your child. It just takes you, the busy parent, to take a deep breath and slow yourself down. Kids have an amazing ability to lose themselves in whatever they are doing. I marvel at how my daughter never tires of playing with a few select dolls, naming and renaming each of them. She is content – and in the moment – when she plays. And when my son asks for the same book each night at bedtime, I wonder how he doesn't become bored with it.

That's the wonderful thing about children, they know what they love and they love what they know. That is enough for them.

Too often, it is us – the busy parent – that doesn't have "time" to slow down and immerse ourselves in their worlds. Sometimes, we are so busy rushing them through our world. So I have made a commitment to myself to really "be" in their world as often as I am invited. It can take a lot to say "Yes" to playing dolls, instead of rushing off to the next load of laundry or meal that needs to be prepared, but I guarantee that once you slow down and do it, you will be looking forward to the next moment that you get to sit and play.

When my daughter commented on how pretty our bushes were, I decided to take a few minutes and show her the hydrangeas. I love hydrangeas and have a few different varieties around my yard. She told me she never knew they were one of my favorites. She told me they were so prett,y she wished she could pick some.

I decided hosing off my deck could wait and I went inside for some scissors. Cutting the hydrangeas then turned into an inpromtu floral arrangement class for both of us. We had picked a pretty bowl to put them in, but they kept toppling over and out of it. I remembered seeing a taped grid you could create with tape that would hold the heavy blooms in place.

I also knew this would be a perfect activity for my daughter. She perfectly and precisely placed each strip of tape onto the bowl. She then placed each bloom in the bowl with such thought, I knew she was immersed in the moment. I was so happy to see how much pride she took in creating this bowl of blooms. She couldn't wait so show it off to everyone that came through the door.

And when we were done, the hose was still waiting for me right where I left it.

Directions:

Step 1: Gather, cut, pick whatever flowers you have available.

Step 2: Cut tape into strips. I used medical tape I had in my first aid bin. It is waterproof and has more give. I knew the weight of the blooms wouldn't be too heavy for the tape.

Step 3: Make a grid with the tape across your bowl.

Step 4: Trim your flowers and arrange them in the grid boxes.

Step 5: Step back and admire your blooms.

Thanks for reading,
Daniele

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