Flower Arranging

We're spending some time with Anouk's cousin KK this week, and it's been a little bit of a challenge to think of crafts and activities that will appeal to both a toddler and a thirteen-year-old. Finally, after a lot of thinking, we decided that we would pay a visit to Norfolk Wholesale Florist, to get some supplies to make flower arrangements.

Norfolk Wholesale Florist is kind of paradise if you're a flower lover. There are blossoms everywhere -- from exotic orchids to delicate baby's breath, PLUS all of the accoutrements you  need to tie them all together (including very realistic stuffed parrots, below). We gathered our blooms (fawning over some of the more exotic ones like protea and star of Bethlehem), browsed the selection of vases, and then stopped by the ribbon room (truly a crafty mom's delight).

I gave each of the girls some cash and then stepped back to see what they would choose to buy with it. KK got her hands on some beautiful gerbera daisies and bright carnations, while Anouk chose a handful of lime green mums and some sunflowers. I of course couldn't leave myself out, so I picked up some safflowers and tall purple liatris. I can't say enough about how helpful the NWF staff were -- they helped us find everything we needed and gave us lots of hints about how to make the best-looking, longest-lasting bouquets.

At home, we set to it and arranged our dozens of flowers as artistically as we could. Altogether, $30 got us enough flowers and filler for six small bouquets! I think they turned out to be pretty amazing.

Here are some links on flower arranging that we found helpful when putting our bouquets together:

• Martha
• More Martha
• GOOP (yes, GOOP)
• Montessori Primary Guide