Heather and I have been carpooling our kids for years now, and it's always amusing to listen to the things they talk about, argue about or amuse themselves with while we EnviroMoms drive. With our older kids, it was stop signs and bus stops. The first time Heather's daughter shouted "stop sign!" while I was driving, I nearly killed us all by slamming on the brakes -- thinking I'd missed one. But no... they were just spotting signs, and the goal was to be first to shout it out when you saw one. Eventually, I got used to that game without having a heart attack.
With our younger kids, it's been spotting Volkswagon "Bugs," Mini Coopers, and PT Cruisers (which my kids have been obsessed with since we rented one last summer). But they've moved on again. Now it is spotting popcorn trees This term must have been introduced at preschool, because Heather's and my 4-year-old are all about the popcorn trees these days. They are so earnest. They said it is their "homework" to spot the popcorn trees. Wondering if the popcorn tree is some new GMO hybrid you should be very afraid of? Worry not. If spring has sprung in your neck of the woods as it finally has here in Portland, then you're in for a real treat. Look around with your kids in your neighborhood, and you'll spot pink and white popcorn trees everywhere -- blooming ornamental or fruit trees with branches exploding with blossoms! It's a gorgeous reminder of the change of seasons, and without a doubt, so much more pleasant to hear the kids shout out "popcorn" instead of "stop sign!" And much better on my nerves...
Speaking of trees (we must work very hard to maintain our reputation as tree-huggers, no?)... We recently planted a young peach tree in our back yard (one of the wonderful birthday presents my family treated me to this year), and we are waiting for it to go into popcorn mode. I understand that peaches are one the most pesticide-laden fruits, and look forward to the day when we can pluck fresh organic fruit from our own tree. We bought a leaf-curl resistant tree from One Green World, so we are hoping that spraying won't be necessary. While I know very little about growing fruit and veggies, I'm hoping that if we just give it sufficient water and light, it will do the work, and we can share in its fruit. I hope the kids will grow up with the notion that raising your own food is both easy and rewarding.
Happy spring (again) and happy Easter everyone!! Now go out and hug a tree for crying out loud!!
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