The Preschool Cup of Dirt

Last year in the spring the Boy brought home a cup of dirt with a seed in it to grow a bean plant. Somehow through my great efforts to kill the plant in sprouted and we ended up having a bean sprout plant that had about 14 beans we picked and ate. Well it is that time of year and the Boy brought home another cup with dirt and a seed in it, this year it is a pepper plant as apparently the bottom of a green pepper leaves a shamrock type print (he brought it home on St. Patrick's Day), and the plant has sprouted through my complete mismanagement of its care. So I guess this year we will have another large pot on our patio with a pepper plant growing. Granted I like both vegetables so now worries there, the issue is making sure I don't kill it and crush the happiness of the 5 year old boy who takes great pride in these type of things. I wonder if kindergarten next year will send him home with another cup of dirt as the happiness of the Boy hangs in the balance with the life of each plant.