Problems, Problems, Oh My!

Since I don't have characters in mind, I'm working through this prompt thinking of myself and my children.

Part 1:  Major problems
Major problems in my three-year-old's life right now include:  being tired, being hungry, potty training, not being able to do every her five-year-old sister can, and, and wanting to be grown up and doing things but also still wanting to be the cuddly baby.

Major problems in my five-year-old's life right now include:  not having her school friends around for the summer, having a mom who likes to take naps, not getting toys all the time when we go to the store and not having a Nintendo DS.

One of my major problems right now is being able to balance my work, my family, my faith, loving and raising kids, and my health.  I don't have enough hours in the day or energy in my bones.  I'm also not one of those moms who can manage smiling all the time and keep my children polite and well-behaved in public (or at home).

Part 2:  In a garden
My three-year-old would stare at and then chase small animals.  She would cry and scream about ants and spiders.  She would point to colors and pick flowers and leaves.

My five-year-old identifies what she sees, runs through the rows and shakes her hands the way she does when she gets excited, asks her sister to stop following her, and asks questions about the plants and/or animals she can't identify herself.

I remember growing flowers in our garden in Virginia or looking out in my grandfather's garden to see the barriers he tried to put up to keep the animals from eating his food.  I also remember trying to grow my own zucchini in Rochester.

Part 3:
My three-year old could solve her hunger problem by eating something that looks good in the garden.  :)   She could solve her wanting to be bigger problem by finding her way around the garden herself.

My five year old could solve her problem of not having her school friends around by discovering what is around her.

I can balance by spending a bit of quiet time in the garden (or another favorite spot) to rejuvenate me.