Saved by a Flower

From the moment I opened the door at preschool, I knew it was one of Those Days. Alexis was in a miserable mood, despite her excitement at winning a first place trophy during a race at school today. Which, WTH? How is a child of mine fast at riding a scooter? That seems impossible.

Anyway.

She spent the evening inventing reasons to be pissed off. First the sprinkler was in the front yard instead of the back yard which OMG! Don't even thing about forcing the kid run through the sprinkler that you're using to try to rescue the River Birch that seems hell-bent on dying. There is to be NO multi-purpose sprinkler usage. Didn't you get the memo?

Then she wanted to play in the big hole in the ground where I was working, but since I'm wild and crazy when I have a shovel in my hands, I wouldn't let her. Please pity the poor weeping child who has been denied a shot at having her head bashed with a shovel.

The grass tripped her.

The table reached out and smacked the side of her head.

The pool boiled the water and tried to burn her.

And then she found some tiny little weeds in the yard. These, to be exact:

(Image source) (I was standing in the hole or I would have taken my own picture. So sue me.)

White clover. I suggested that she pick a few and then encouraged her to try smelling them. She carefully assembled a full bouquet then drew a long, deep breath, letting their sweet scent fill her lungs.

And suddenly it was all OK.

Comments

[caroline]

One of my fav childhood memories is that my mom would warn me before she push-mowed the tiny lawn at our old house. I'd go out and rescue handfuls of clover and violets, and she'd stick them in a tiny vase and put it above the sink and see them when she did the dishes. Clovers and violets still make me think of that, and I have such vivid memories of making sure I had long enough stems, and clutching them in my sweaty hands before presenting them proudly.

[burghbaby]

@caroline--That is an absolutely brilliant idea. I'm stealing it!

[Emily]

Have you ever linked white clover together to make little crowns? We never had daisies ... Just lots of weeds to work with! ;)

[burghbaby]

@Emily--I think I need instructions for that one. DESPERATELY! (Alexis would loooove that.)

[domestic extraordinaire]

Okay, I seriously thought you were going to tell me that she got stung by a bee and that photo would be of her sad swollen lip or something.

Glad to hear that all was right with the world.

Also WTH is up with me being all glass is half empty lately. I think I am going to blame the heat.

[Emily]

I found a couple links that will take you to a couple different methods (unfortunately, there are no photos, which I find to be helpful). Of the methods described, I remember using "knots" to make our crowns: http://www.ehow.com/how_2278451_tie-clover-flower-chain.html

I also found this blog which has a helpful diagram if you scroll down a ways: http://yokohamayomama.blogspot.com/2010/01/how-to-make-clover-necklaces.html

Good luck! Post lots of pictures!! :)

[mamaphan]

My MIL bought me this adorable little vase from some random shop she took D to last year that came with some poem about how he picked it (whatever is in the vase at the time) just for me. I sobbed when I read it, because how sweet is that?

Anyhoo, Caroline's comment reminded me of that, and I thought I'd share. Remind me, and I'll tell you exactly what the poem says when I find the little card.

And seriously, Mom. Don't you know it's <i>always</I> the table's fault?

[Kelley]

awwwwwwwwww... flowers always make it better.

[Dave (Scrumpy Daddy)]

That's wonderful; days (and solutions!) like that area always a kick in the pants to me, showing me that not only do I need to remember to just stop and enjoy small things in the world and realize the magic around me all the time, but I also need to keep on top of creative ideas like that in my head to suggest to my kids. (Both to distract and change a mood, such as your story here, as well as to help them enjoy all that is around them. I find that is truly the best way to dissolve a lingering bad mood with Abby.)

@caroline: That is a precious memory!

@Emily: Thanks for sharing the crown idea and some links! The BurghBaby family won't be the only one trying that out!

[Indigo]

The simplest things in life, give the greatest joy. (Hugs)Indigo

[Michelle (burghbaby)]

Thank you, @Emily!

[mattieflap]

@Caroline - that's such a wonderful memory!

I have a very small vase (just a few inches high) that I keep specifically for when my boys pick me flowers. Then, when the present them, I get out their "special vase" to put them in. I usually just get dandelions and such but that's OK. I love that they want to bring me flowers.

[AndreAnna]

Do little girls get PMS? Because it's been all ON THE RAG up in this hizzy too.

Glad she stopped to smell the flowers, We can all take a lesson,

[Robin]

@caroline I have that same memory! The long stems got me!

[Tara R.]

This brought back wonderful childhood memories of sitting in the yard with my mom making daisy chains. Thanks!

[Otter]

Nice post. I wish flowers made me happy. I would rather smell a burger.

Good luck with the hole. I read in your random post that you were racing the one year anniversary of moving. It doesn't seem like it has been a year. Time goes too fast.

[Katie in MA]

Ugh, I hate those moods - so unpredictable and usually the silliest things save you. But I LOVE that expression she has on! Bee has the same one, the Look of Mischief. THe one Bri usually used when she declares, "Uh huh! I'm gonna tell her [what you said not to]! I'mmmmmm gonna tell her!!" She loves teasing her poor mama. Sigh.

And the part about being denied a shovel-whack? HILarious!

[caramama]

Yeah for the flowers!

I love those flowers (I won't call them w\eeds). My daughter spends hours in our backyard picking them and handing us bouquets. I don't have memories of that as a child, but I sure do have them as a mom whenever I look at the clover flowers.

[mumple]

Oh! That is soooo very much a Little Girl. We live that just about every day--gotta try the flower solution!

[Nicole]

Three cheers for a kid who can appreciate the little things in life!

And, dude. Cooper got angry with me last week (again) for putting the railing in a place where it could hit his head. You know, the railing that is fixed to the same place it has been fixed for the last 3 years we have lived in our house.)