Grumpy the Gator

In Grumpy the Gator, a group of children playing encounter a grumpy alligator. The story teaches children to always keep a safe distance from animals in the wild, and to find an adult if they see an alligator.

Grumpy the Gator

Its Always A Story With The Hendersons

Grandkids and Tomatoes

Warm temperatures in the morning placed droplets of dew on the grass. A beautiful day was waiting for folks in the Lowcountry. Grandkids would arrive soon and the fun would begin. Today’s project would include a trip to the local greenhouse to purchase dirt and tomato plants. Grandkids and tomatoes. 

One of the first comments from our grandchildren Rowan and Eden as they enter the house is “What projects do we have today, Mimi? What are we going to make?”

That day, Bop and I took the grandkids to the store and let them pick out things to grow. Rowan and Eden chose tomato plants that were about  6-8 inches tall. After finding the best ones, each child placed their container in the cart. Our purchases were completed and we headed home.

Bop placed two containers on the grass in the backyard. Each child used a trowel to fill the pots with dirt. Gently placing each plant in the perfect location, Rowan and Eden patted the dirt gently. “Good job, Buddy,” Rowan spoke to his tomato plant.

“Good job, Buddy,” Eden repeated what her big brother had said.

Now, the waiting period started. A few days passed and we noticed small yellow flowers growing on each stalk. With a reminder not to pick the blooms, everyone was patient and continued to wait for the first little green ball to form.

Another week and then, success! Several tiny green tomatoes hung on the vines. Rowan and Eden saw the new developments as soon as they arrived early one morning. “Mimi! They’re growing!” 

“Can we pick them? Can we eat them? When will they turn red?” The questions kept coming from both kids.

Later in the morning, a fierce wind knocked over the pots and little green tomatoes fell off of the vines. Rowan suggested we check on our garden. When we walked outside, Rowan and Eden began picking up the green tomatoes. I suggested we get a plastic bag to hold them until we could take them inside. 

The day continued with other fun crafts and games. The time came for the grandkids to go home. Eden wanted to take a‘mater with her. She took one, looked at it, named the ‘mater, and placed it back in the bag. Names like Sha Sha and Greenie were her choices.

Rowan liked the idea of naming the green tomatoes in his bag. He chose “Derek” as one name.

In the evening, I contacted our son Mike, to remind him that the kids had bags of tomatoes in their backpacks. He told me that he would check. Rowan’s tomatoes were there. Eden’s tomato was gone.

The following day, I spoke to the kids on the phone and asked Eden where she put her tomato. 

“I planted it.” She spoke in a calm voice.

“Where did you put it?” I asked.

“In the pot in the bathroom.” She answered.

Eden went on to tell me that she planted it in Mommy’s flower pot in the bathroom. A beautiful live plant now had a little green tomato in the dirt.

Rowan heard Eden telling me about planting the tomato. He said, “Oh, I moved it.”

With a loud voice, Eden scolded her brother. “Why? Rowan. Why did you move my tomato? Where is it?”

We had no idea where big brother placed her special treasure. But, he knew. He hid it behind the spigot on the sink. No worries. He didn’t want it to get forgotten in the flower pot.

I’m not sure what has happened to those tomatoes. But, I do know that we learned many lessons from God. We learned how to take care of plants, give them names, make sure they are fed and watered, and how not to move something someone else has planted.

Grandkids and tomatoes. Bop and I learned that laughter can come from planting tomatoes. 

Do you have any funny grandchildren’s stories? Share with us and continue the smiles.

Have a blessed day,

Mimi aka Melissa Henderson

24 Comments
  • Virginia J. Foster
    Posted at 15:38h, 24 June Reply

    I always love to read your stories about your adventures with your grandkids. So uplifting. Thanks for sharing, Melissa.

  • Melissa G. Henderson
    Posted at 23:03h, 24 June Reply

    Thank you June. Rowan and Eden keep us laughing. Have a blessed week! 🙂

  • karentfriday
    Posted at 01:21h, 25 June Reply

    Fun post. I love how the kids come in saying, “What projects do we have today, Mimi? What are we going to make?”

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 11:48h, 25 June Reply

      Thank you Karen. There’s always a new adventure here. Have a blessed week! 🙂

  • Gail Johnson
    Posted at 11:24h, 25 June Reply

    How fun! My kids loved planting vegetables and flowers. Sweet post, Melissa.

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 11:49h, 25 June Reply

      Thank you Gail. I love how God’s creations can bring us closer together. Have a blessed week! 🙂

  • Lynn J Simpson, PLC
    Posted at 14:45h, 26 June Reply

    A tomatoes adventure! If tomatoes could think and feel, I wonder what they would have felt about being safe on a vine, then blown off, then travelling to a new place, and then buried in dirt beside a flower to only be uprooted again! lol! You have great story here, Melissa!

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 16:01h, 26 June Reply

      I love that story idea!!! Lynn, you are very creative. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Jessica Brodie
    Posted at 20:09h, 27 June Reply

    They are just precious! And so creative, too! 🙂 Your stories always warm my heart.

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 20:39h, 27 June Reply

      Thank you Jessica. Rowan and Eden always give us lots to laugh about. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Karen Jurgens Harrison
    Posted at 06:58h, 29 June Reply

    What fun you all have! I love how you teach Rowan and Eden so much about life through projects. Were you a teacher? You certainly have the gift, Mimi! xo

  • Karen Jurgens Harrison
    Posted at 07:00h, 29 June Reply

    What fun you all have! It’s great how you teach Rowan and Eden about life through projects. Were you a teacher? You certainly have the gift, Mimi. xo

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 12:43h, 29 June Reply

      Thank you Karen. I was a preschool teacher, substitute for elementary schools, and volunteered a lot with children. I think like a child. haha! Have a blessed weekend dear friend! 🙂

  • Melissa McLaughlin
    Posted at 19:53h, 29 June Reply

    Karen, these sweet stories of your days with grandkids warm my heart! They are so precious. You are planting seeds of love and family bonds with each visit. What a blessing! God bless you and your beautiful family.

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 20:36h, 30 June Reply

      Haha! It’s actually Melissa here haha! Yes, Grandkids are the best. Have a wonderful and blessed week! 🙂

  • Yvonne M Morgan
    Posted at 23:25h, 29 June Reply

    So wonderful Melissa. My daughter called me to tell me a funny. My granddaughter loves Peppa Pig and now pronounces tomatoes with an Australian accent. They bring so many smiles and joy.

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 20:37h, 30 June Reply

      That’s hilarious! Yes, our grandkids talk like “Bluey” sometimes. The Australian accent from a southern child is cute. Have a blessed week! 🙂

  • Katherine Pasour
    Posted at 20:59h, 30 June Reply

    I always enjoy the adventures you share with your grandchildren. What fun times! They’ll treasure these memories (as do you). Thanks for sharing sunshine and blessings, Melissa.

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 21:04h, 30 June Reply

      Thank you Katherine. These are special times. The grands spent the night with us last night and we enjoyed lots of giggles. Have a blessed week! 🙂

  • Dianne Miley
    Posted at 18:26h, 01 July Reply

    You are a fun Mimi! I’ve been teaching Jax about plants too. They need 3 things: Dirt, Water, and Sun. He loves to help me water the tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, peppers, herbs, and flowers.

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 11:56h, 02 July Reply

      Thank you Dianne. We are truly blessed as grandmothers to be able to share time with the little ones. These are precious times! Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • RobbyeFaye
    Posted at 22:09h, 03 July Reply

    Our 4-year-old granddaughter wanted to have a garden this year. So, we got a raised flower bed and planted several vegetables. They’re growing like crazy and she’s having a blast.
    It’s so wonderful to see and feed their curious little mindsA

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 22:41h, 03 July Reply

      So sweet! I love how the little ones enjoy the simple things in life. Planting and growing and sharing time together. Have a blessed weekend! 🙂

      • RobbyeFaye
        Posted at 02:14h, 04 July Reply

        Me too, Melissa! The wonder and excitement at everything. . .
        You have a blessed weekend, too!

Leave a Reply