Kirsty's Blog: Round and round the garden

Carmel started walking when she was nine months old.  We all thought it was wonderful but it also spelt the beginning of never sitting down again. Carmel loves to walk, run, jump, climb and generally do anything that involves being outdoors, which is fantastic now that spring is here and summer is on it’s way. 

Pete, who is at home with Carmel in the week while I am at work, has embarked on a vegetable patch with more than a helping hand, spade, shovel and boot from Carmel.  She loves it, so far carrots, parsnips and lettuce have been planted in the makeshift, mini allotment they have created together. 

I was amazed at Carmel’s concentration for going through the patch of dirt and ridding it of stones and weeds.  The only problem is that she became obsessed with the dirt patch and as quickly as Pete neatly dropped the seeds into the designated area for the carrots, Carmel dug them up again.  She joyfully threw the mud, containing the seeds and all, everywhere.  

Pete has skillfully remedied this problem by erecting a fence to keep it fox, bird and cat proof and so far Carmel has left it alone, preferring to dig other plants up around the garden.  What has struck me most about the project is how much Carmel enjoys helping us. 

She wants to have all the same tools of course, so she now has gardening gloves, which are for much older children and render her fingers useless! And a set of tools that are surprisingly good (probably considered dangerous and far too old for her – so don’t try this at home). So, armed with the right tools and clothing Carmel seems to have endless pleasure in digging, weeding, sweeping and spotting worms in the garden. 

I hope her new interest lasts as, I’m sure other parents find, one of the hardest jobs for us is keeping our kids entertained for 10 hours a day.  No one ever told me how hard that would be!  I started to feel really boring when, on my days off, I ran out of games to play or things to interest her in, and admittedly searched the DVD collection or turned to the television to help me out.

Coming home after work each evening, I walk through the door thrilled to see my little girl after a long day apart but, I have to admit, I find it hard to adjust to my ‘at home’ role of entertainer, teacher etc, etc. 

Long gone are the days of glass of wine and a recap on the day, it’s straight into role play with teddy’s or hide and seek!  With the light evenings now here, life is so much easier and it’s such a lovely way to end the day, we get out in the garden to see if the plants have grown, have a bounce on the trampoline and watch the birds coming in to roost for the evening, and the fresh air (as fresh as it can be in east london) certainly aids sleep! 

And to round it off we’re not that far away from having Carmels carrots on the dinner table.  The fact that they might be growing anywhere in or around the house just doesn’t seem to matter when I see that gorgeous proud smile of hers as she takes me round and round the garden.

Kirsty O’Connor mum to Carmel 21 months d.o.b. 26/7/06