Planting a Tree for The Lorax

Yesterday the girls and I headed to the mall to wander in the warmth and to hit up the inside play area for them to burn off some energy. While there we stumbled across an event aimed at kids in an effort to promote the new movie "The Lorax" based off of Dr. Seuss' book. I knew something had to be going on after we passed what seemed like the 20th child with a red and white striped hat. Finally in the food court we found what we were looking for. Several tables were covered with coloring pages and crayons, Dr. Seuss hats, and stickers. The crowds were starting to dwindle so we were able to make our way fairly close to the front. We received several drawing entries, cake pops, and 2 tree saplings. We finished listening to the book reading and then stuck around for the raffle drawing which I thought was pointless because I don't win at stuff like that, but... We did! I think I even squealed a little louder than Avery! Our prize? A free set of fairy wings of choice from a children's boutique in the mall! I mean, really? It couldn't have been more fitting. We raced like 3 little girls on Christmas morning to the shop and debated on several wings. This is serious stuff. And if you know my Avery girl at all, you will not be surprised to know that she chose the zebra striped wings.

Fast forward to this afternoon-

Dressed in grubby but warm clothes, we made our way to the garage and proceeded to plant the little pine trees in pots so they can take refuge in our garage for the remaining winter days. Once spring hits, we will transplant them into our backyard. I love that I got to do a touch of gardening in the middle of winter! The girls loved running their fingers through the dirt and helping to tamp it down as we secured the little trees. 

If you haven't seen or read the Lorax, this might seem a bit odd. The Lorax is the keeper of the forest and it is his job to look after the trees and all that call it home. A human came along and decided to tear down all the trees in order to make money from its products, thus destroying the forest and its inhabitants. Towards the end, a young boy seeks to restore the forest and how it once was and he started this effort with one seed. All of that might have been lost on my girls, but they know they planted a tree today.