Tree Planting

We are in tree planting season here in Southern California.  For the past two weekends I've taken my trusty tree planter Tatum to tree planting events in the community.  Two weeks ago we headed out to El Monte and planted a 15-gallon Sycamore tree at a future community river park.  Tatum was excited to be given a small shovel and a sun hat to plant.  At one point during our digging she became more focused on the rocks coming out of the ground than creating the hole for the tree.  She would give each rock a bath, and then set it up in her kingdom (of cardboard) as a princess, prince, or monster.  Our goal was to plant four, as Tatum is obsessed with the number four and turning four in May.  Well, we got one in the ground and started to dig another when Tatum decided she would rather eat popcorn in the car and head home.  When we got home Tatum shared her thoughts, "Mommy, this was a perfect day!"  Granted it was only 11:30am, but she was right, it was a perfect day. 



The Shearer Clan around LaLa's Oak

 Last weekend the whole family headed into the Angeles National Forest and planted a 1-gallon Oak trees in the Vogel Flats picnic area.  Saturday March 4th was my mother's birthday, so we dedicated this tree to her - Happy Birthday LaLa!  Upon watering the tree, Tatum turned to the tree and said, "Tree, you are growing so big. I am so proud of you. I'm gonna give you a big kiss" and then kissed the tree.  As we headed home and were about 20 minutes down the road Tatum exclaimed that she could still hear the tree growing and it was getting so big!  Yep, we got a 2nd generation tree hugger/kisser on our hands.