If you’re a parent, you know that kids ask for and about a lot: What’s for breakfast? What’s for lunch? What’s for dinner? Can we have dessert? Why is the sky blue? Do you want to hear a story? From the moment they can talk, it feels like a constant inquisition. Sometimes, they yell one of our names, pause a moment, and then ask a question, like they realized you were there and then decided that a question was in order, but they hadn’t come up with it yet. 

Usually, they are easy questions to field and can be a quick yes or no. Maddy recently asked one of these questions. Can we get a Syrian Hamster? Quick answer: No. You would think that would be the end of the conversation. And then we found this (the image is her writing, translation is below): 

Why Me Madeleine Bokor needs a Syrian Hamster:

1. They are cute

2. PetCo^® has hamsters for $20

3. 2 people want them, 1 doesn’t

4. I will clean up the [insert poop emoji]

5. Because you love your daughter

6. I already came up with a name for it (Sandy or Nutmeg)

7. Because I will be double digits

8. We need a class pet

9. Nutmeg will be good for Rose Design Co. ads

10. Because Pearl will give it piggyback rides

11. Because I am being good and writing in cursive

12. Because why not

Wicked Themed Ones:

13. Because. . . because. . . because you are so beautiful

14. Would it be alright by you, if I re-hamster-fy you

15. Of course that is important to me

16. Alright why not you should reply

17. Oh what a pair we’ll be the hamster and I

18. A talent that could help me meet the hamster if I made good

19. (so I’ll make good)

20. When I meet the hamster my whole life will change; when you’re cleaning poop, no one thinks you’re strange.

Twenty iron-clad reasons that she needs a hamster. With a full 8 of them modifications of lines from the musical Wicked. 

I’m reminded of a Sheldon Cooper quote from The Big Bang Theory: “Those are very cogent and reasonable conditions. . . I reject them all.” But don’t tell her I said that. I grew up with a house full of hamsters. I had those crazy tubes where you could build a whole network of paths for them to run around in. I’m pretty sure I even sold hamster babies back to the pet store. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see where this ends up, but, man, she sure can make a case when she wants to. Lawyer or author. One of those is in her future.

We hope that you had a wonderful Mother’s Day this past weekend. We had a blast at the nursery, with two sold-out flower arrangement workshops. Everyone’s creations were awesome! We’re already making plans for more workshops this fall. And, of course, just watching everyone in the nursery over the weekend in groups with moms, kids, grandmothers, aunts, and sisters is so heartwarming. We love to see you out in the garden with your mom!