Chris and I are the proud parents of 3 beautiful children; Mary, 10, Sarah, 8 and Christopher 6. My philosophy has always been to try to keep work and home separate. As the children get older though, they are increasingly becoming interested in the garden center and our landscaping company. Mary loves to run the cash register when our farm stand is open. Sarah loves to shop for seeds in the spring. Christopher knows exactly which nurseries have pop machines and which sales people keep candy on their desk.

Last year our family's summer vacations consisted of going to the Independent Garden Center Show in Chicago and Olsen Distributing's Vendor Expo in Schaumburg. We enjoyed both profusely. During the Olsen Show my children and I visited various vendor booths and collected product catalogs. In the evening, while relaxing in the hotel room, we studied the catalogs. I let each of the kids pick out a product that they wanted to feature at our garden center. We circled, highlighted and debated about many items. What came out of those trips was "The Carr Kids Corner". This will be an area in our garden center that is stocked with products that Mary, Sarah and Christopher thought you would like.

To carry that theme through, our website now has this page "The Carr Kids Corner". On this page each child will have an area that they are responsible for contributing to. Mary's Mindstretchers will feature a trivia type question. The first person to email the correct answer to Mary will win a prize at our garden center. Sarah's Sightings will feature Sarah's notes and observations about what is flowering in and around her yard. She will also be taking pictures now and then and with her Dad's help uploading them to this site. Again, whoever can email her first with the correct name of the flower will win a prize. Christopher will contribute a new joke each week to Christopher's Crack-Ups.

My contribution will be that of a proud mom. Occasionally I will feature a little tidbit about a child and his or her gardening experiences. My first contribution is listed below It is something that Mary wrote when she was in 2nd grade. The assignment was to describe what you would like to do when you grow up. I am so proud of her!

What I want to be when I grow up by Mary Carr age 8

When I grow up I want to be a Growing Scene worker.  My Mom has a Growing Scene.

First, I like plants.  I like getting dirty too.  I also like watering.  My brother would work there also.

Next, I would be the President of the Growing Scene.  My brother would probably be the person who would direct the gardeners that would work for us. 

Also my sister would probably take care of the plants.  I would take care of the Growing Scene. 

Therefore, it would be fun to get wet, muddy and dirty.  I think gardening is a great job for my brother, my sister and me.  I hope you like gardening just like me.

Mary's Mindstretchers (first person to answer the question via email will receive a free packet of seeds) marysmindstrechers@thegrowingscene.com

Congrats to Paul Shippy who knew the answer to Mary's Mindstretcher. Daisies are so named because they flower during the day. Some also think that at one time they were called Day's eyes, because the petals look like eyelashes and over time, Day's eyes became daisies.

Why is an obedient plant called an obedient plant?

Sarah's Sightings

Today I see green grass and that is a sight to see. I also see a yellow crocus that bloomed in my yard.

Christopher's Crack-ups

Why can't a swordfish's nose be 12"?