This morning Ben, Lily, Ava and I went to the Summerwinds Nursery and picked out some new flowers and planter boxes to plant around the patio we just put in around their playhouse. The kids picked out the flowers (with my help...although I am quite random myself. Planting in 3s is about the extent of my gardening knowledge), while running around the nursery to check out all the animal statutes - there was a turtle, a bunny, a frog, a cat, and a big dog (Ava said this was her favorite, an overly used concept of hers currently, but this doggy was pretty cool). I would love to get a couple of those stone animals sometime - I used to think they were kind of cheesy, but the kids love them. A lady in our neighborhood has two flanking the gate of her gorgeous front garden and the kids always say hello to them - "Hello, Mr. Turtle! Hello, Mr. Dragonfly!" - as we walk, scooter, bike or run past.
We came home and spent the morning planting. Oh, and I also bought myself a very nice little red watering can. These babies are not hooked up to any sprinklers, so I figured maybe this would be a good way of reminding myself to water them everyday. The kids have little watering cans, so they can help too. We'll see how we do.
As I was planting, I realized that maybe fixing up this little playhouse into a little home for the kids is a little like redecorating for myself. Before we had kids, Jeff and I were always working on the house. Repaint the bathroom in an afternoon, shop for new towels and accessories the next. Voila. Redone. Now, we just don't have that opportunity very much. Our money goes to the kids - clothes, food, childcare, necessities. Our time? Hmmm....also goes to the kids. And now I've spent more money and time on the kids! I'm fixing up THEIR playhouse, instead of taking the time that we haven't for the past 4 years to patch holes, touch up paint on the walls of our living room, fix up the master bathroom (horribly outdated), fix up our front yard, replace our closet doors, etc. etc. etc. Oh well, at least this is a place where I can spend my time too. Sitting in the corner of the playhouse patio, I do feel at home.
