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Like many working moms I am always trying to find new and different experiences for my family that masks my quest for quality time. My little guy, Ryan decided that in addition to cooking, playing in the garden dirt would be fun so we embarked on a journey to become gardeners. Some of the happiest memories that I have with my son are from our gardening times. This is just one of them.

On a particularly warm, summer Saturday morning while having coffee and juice taking in the passers by on the front porch of our old Victorian home we decide we needed something flowery to take up the space on the side of the porch under the window. I didn't care what it was but Ryan was on a mission for the perfect plant.
We spent an hour walking up and down the isles of the gardening shop. He studied, picked and put back many plants while I enjoyed the sunshine on my face and watching him go through the decision making process. The choice was finally narrowed to two identical plants. "The leaves on this one are green" he exclaimed, thrusting the leaves under my nose for a closer look. "Yes, honey the leaves on both of them are green" pushing back the plan for a better perspective. "But, this one is more greener," he stated as he looks closer himself. " Is that better?" I asked. "Oh yes, greener is better". "Well then I think you just found your vine." "Yup, that's the one!" he exclaimed and grabbed it so we could head on home. He held the plant like it was a puppy that he was bringing home for the very first time. "Hold it tight now so it doesn't spill over in the car" I said. "I will mommy" as he squeezed harder for good measure. Thank god plants don't breathe; this one would have been suffocated before we got home.

At home we put the plant on the porch to get the gardening tools after much coercion on my part, "Honey, put the plant on the porch and lets go get the planting tools from the carriage house" "No mommy, he doesn't want to be all alone, he wants to come with us." "Sweetie, no the plant should stay here so we don't accidentally tip it over while we are getting the hose and tools" I pleaded knowing that this could end in tears if my reasons were not rationally to a five year old. But my momentary anxiety passed as Ryan reasoned out a solution instantly. "Okay, why don't we do this, I'll go get Scrufty to keep him company so you and I can get the tools!" Ryan states, while shaking his hand at the house in his most matter of fact 5 year old voice. Scrufty is his favorite

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