How Sweet It Is

We won't be making jam, shortcake or smoothies from it, but it's a start. Blake grew his first strawberry. ALL by himself. Since I have pretty much a black thumb and no time to nurture anything living except my family, I do not spend much time gardening. Brian loves it and from time to time will grow various vegetables, but he doesn't really have time for the daily care required for a successful harvest. Then there's Blake. He loves the outdoors, nature and planting just about anything. He even begs me for the seeds every time I cut up an apple (I am expecting an orchard to pop up any day).

It was an easy sell for Brian to buy Blake the strawberry plant that he wanted so badly on a recent trip to Home Depot. But THIS time the responsibility lay squarely on the shoulders of Blake. He picked the spot (in the middle of the yard, of course), dug the hole and gave it a home. We've done this before...and it usually ends the same way. But Blake really likes strawberries and really wanted to grow them, so I guess he was extra motivated. Everyday after school Blake runs in, throws his backpack down and immediately grabs a cup from the cabinet to fill with water to feed to his plant. And it's paid off. In the form of not one, but two little red strawberries (did I mention they are little?). But, man, is he excited and proud. He was nurturing and patient and now gets to enjoy the "fruits of his labor".

The plant.

The strawberry.

The gardener.

So what did he want to do with the aforementioned strawberry (the second one is not "ready" yet)? He wanted to feed it to the babies. A good gardener and a great big brother! And that makes me proud! Congratulations, Blake!