GROWING A FAMILY GARDEN

Can I just say I have always heard it's good to have a garden, but now I believe it...

So my husband and I have a wonderful back yard (1/2 way thru the block).  So we found a little patch that is low traffic.  And made our garden.  I cannot believe how fun it is, here is what it's done for our family.

1.UNITY:   As we planted the seeds I noticed something amazing happening.  Everyone wanted to participate and help. 
2.LEARNING:  I have become curious and so have my children.  Rather it's how long does it take for a pea to grow?  Or how much water do we give our plants?  Also it has helped me to talk to those who have gardened and asked for advice.  It has been a fun conversation topic.
3.WORK:  It was fun to pick out our plants,  plant them and share the work.  Now it's fun to pull weeds.  I always have at least 2 and sometimes 3 sets of little hands working along side me.  And with my 3 year old I will hear "Mom look at this cute little weed!"  Glad he finds it cute. (If we could all think like that)
4.SHARING: Growing up my parents ALWAYS taught me to share.  I in return want to teach my children the same.  So it has been fun to pick the vegetables and have them delivered to neighbors by our family. 
5.ENJOYMENT:  I don't know about you, but my garden has been a sort of therapy.  I love the early mornings or evenings when the sun has disappeared and I can roam in my garden.  As I pick and see the benefits of having our own vegetables I can't help but feel a  sense of achievement.

Now my nearly 10 old daughter does not always love the garden.  One day she told me she thinks it would be fun to have the two of us in the garden early in the morning gathering the fruits while the boys played in the yard. (she is very dramatic and imaginative)

THEN. . . . .When she heard me tell a Friend I love my garden, it is like one of my kids exciting to see grow.  She made the comment, "Yeah and you love your garden most out of your kids. "  OWWWW. .  that hurt.  (so not true seeings I have about one hour a day to spend in the garden and 23 with my children)

But we will save this situation for another post.  TWEENS gotta love them.