Nana's Birthday Flowers

As it turns out, February is a busy month in the Connelly household. Not only do we celebrate Valentine's Day, we have our anniversary and numerous family birthdays including Poppa's (see previous post) and Nana's (my mom).

Yesterday was Nana's birthday and I needed to be in Emporia for a school meeting, so Nana graciously agreed to watch my girls and take them to AWANA until I got back. In order to celebrate her actual day, since we're having a family party for her this weekend, I thought we could draw her some pictures and take her a birthday card. Tuesday night, I ran to the store for some last minute groceries and Madelynn went with me. When we walked through the front door, she spotted the flowers and INSISTED that Nana needed some birthday flowers. So we picked some nice ones and Madelynn carried them through the store even though they were as tall as she was!

These flowers lasted all that evening and into the next morning with Madelynn admiring them every time she remembered them. When we packed up to go to Nana's house, Madelynn again insisted on holding them. Because I didn't want them too smooshed, I told her they had to ride in the pocket of the seat directly in front of her. They leaned just enough so that she could see and smell them whenever she wanted. The flowers fared well until about 5 minutes out. I'm driving along, listening to my AudioBook and I here this, "Mommy, look!" Madelynn was holding out a handful of flower petals. She had been quietly picking petals off Nana's flowers for who knows how long and had stripped at least half (if not more) completely bare. Nana's beautiful birthday flowers were now a couple raggedy flowers and a bunch of empty buds. I expressed my dismay that she had torn Nana's flowers, took them away from her and told her she would have to tell Nana that she was sorry. She sat very quiet for the last five minutes of our drive. When we pulled up, Grandpa was there to let her out and as soon as he opened the door Madelynn told him, "I'm sorry for tearing Nana's flowers." Of course, he had no idea what she was talking about, so I ushered her inside with the flowers. She delivered her apology complete with downcast face and Nana just laughed. "I love these flowers anyway!" And she did. Before I left, I saw the complete bouquet, empty buds and all, in a prominently displayed vase!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANA!