Puddle Jumpers

The Family Man get wet.

It’s been raining quite a bit the past few days where we live. After having had a taste of Spring, being chased back indoors has been tough on the boys. Stir crazy, cabin fever, call it what you will – we have it and it’s not fun.
This evening the rain let up a bit, so I quickly got the boys into their coats and boots and we headed outside. First we patrolled the sidewalk looking for worms, and found quite a few. Fat, wriggly night crawlers are interesting to little kids. My boys aren’t squeamish at all about picking them up, holding them or waving them in each others’ faces. That was good for about ten minutes. Then we moved on to the main objective – finding some nice puddles to play in.

I’m sure it’s not news that kids like puddles. We were all kids once and I’m sure we all played in puddles at one time or another – I know I did. It’s interesting to me now, as an adult, to watch my kids have a grand time stomping and splashing around. At first glance it’s hard to se what the attraction is – the kids wade in, see how deep it is, stomp around a bit, come out, find some stones to throw in, stomp around some more; find a stick to sail around the puddle, find more stones to throw at the stick, wade in and stomp on the stick; aim your stomps so the splash goes all over your brother, kick the water back at your brother as hard as you can – until you are completely drenched, soaking, dripping wet.

And yet there is beauty in the simplicity of it all. These two boys can be bored with a houseful of toys, gadgets, games and books; yet can go outside and have an hour of fun with a puddle of water, a stick and a few stones.

And after all that, it’s time to come inside and get in the bathtub,
It’s great to be The Family Man