the garden of aiden and sky

This year we decided to have a vegetable garden in our back yard. We did this partly to have fresh vegetables but also because we wanted Aiden and Sky to know where their food comes from. Living in suburbia, we run the risk of our kids thinking their food is made at the grocery store. Not long ago I watched a program on TV where they interviewed 10 to 12 year olds that thought fruits and vegetables are made in factories. Even worse, they had no idea that meat came from an animal. Yikes!

There is nothing more relaxing than a beautiful vegetable garden. The act of working in the garden is immensely calming...especially after a long day at the office. I feel that gardening can lend a more spiritual link to life and nature. Not only are we taking part in the miracle of growth, we also become intimately linked to the process of nurturing our own lives. I can't think of a healthier activity for Aiden and Sky.


"Sky, you have to stand on the rocks not on the soil", Aiden says in a deep and serious voice to his sister.

Aiden and Bobba consulting each other on what should be planted where.


Sky loves to play in the garden but she doesn't like to be told what to do. A few minutes before this picture was taken Aiden told her not to stand on the soil. She came running to me with tears in her eyes saying "Aiden said "No!" to me."

Aiden also loves to play in and around the garden. He's been gardening for so long that he can tell you that all plants need three things to live "water, dirt, and sun...oh and some one to plant them in the ground like me or Daddy."


Aiden loves to get his hands in the dirt...and I'm happy about that. I feel that kids should play hard, get dirty, and be at one with nature.


This garden has been a lot of hard work but we've had quite a crew working on it including Aiden, Sky, Daddy, Mommy, and most of all Bobba.


Aiden spraying some insecticide (water) on the plants at the edge of the vegetable garden.


"Daddy, tell me when you're ready for some more dirt, okay?"

By the way, Aiden's overalls were just a coincidence. He had just come home from school and this was the the outfit he picked our for himself in the morning.


This little junior gardener needs to get used to the idea of having dirt on her hands.


Adam planting some cucumbers. Our garden has tomato plants, cucumbers, string beans, arugula, bell peppers, chili peppers, mint, basil, and strawberries.


"Sky, look at that worm! I bet you can put some water on him. He likes to be wet. " say Aiden as he tries to get his sister to do his dirty work.