New Plant

Angie, Owen and I headed out to Ikea this past weekend. We had a great time before we made our way there - hanging out at the Rain Forest Cafe (not eating, just hanging out), eating ice cream, strolling the mall. Then, as 3 year-olds become tired they turn into some kind of evil being. Or perhaps putting it more nicely, he wasn't at his best during our shopping day.... that is until we came upon the plants.

I have been wanting a new plant and stopped to look. In such a sweet and nice voice he asked if he could have a plant. He hopped out of his prison which took the shape of the basket and began to browse the plants. He picked what he called the "perfect plant".

He allowed himself to be placed back in the basket and held his plant with such pride. Once back in the car he was holding the plant in his little hands, little hands that were drooping and moving as his eyes started to close and his head started to nod. In an effort to save the prized plant from ending up on the floor, once I felt it was safe, Angie reached back to move the little guy to safety. Bad idea. He jerked his head up, looked at me in the rearview mirror with pleading eyes and outstretched both arms. He was so sad!! He quickly covered his eyes with both hands and the tears came. Big tears, the tears that are only meant for those situations when you are truly sad and there is nothing you can do except cry. He was so hurt that we would actually take his plant.

Perhaps the plant would plunge on the floor during this nap - that would be fine. She placed the plant back in his lap which he quickly secured with one hand, the other left to cover his eyes. He eventually fell back asleep, with his eyes covered.

The next day he loved his plant just as much. I heard him coming up the stairs that morning. I turned around to look at him knowing that I would see him with Owl, but I didn't expect to see him with the plant.

He was worried that the plant was thirsty.