In our backyard there are many bare spots, ok..when I say bare spots, I'm not referring to a lack of GRASS because most of our yard is lacking in grass, heck we don't really have grass in our backyard at all, it's the weeds that are thriving BUT there are a few areas that have not been overgrown with weeds. It is at these areas that if you see them as a sort of portal to paradise (as Caleb does)...then with just the simple ingredient of water..pure bliss is achieved.
An area such as this has been found/made at the base of our slide. After being pounded MANY times by little feet completing their downward course, the grass (and weeds) have been killed and simply can't regrow under such circumstances/punishment. It was like a little light bulb went off in Caleb's head the other day as he went down the slide and then paused at the bottom, looked down at that bare earth and pondered its possibilities. A glow started to spread across his face. Grabbing Eli's nearby water bowl, he dumped its contents onto this dirt patch. His smile quickly emerged. That same smile grew exponentially as he eyed a nearby empty Gatorade jug and then the outdoor water faucet. AHHHH...the wheels were turning quickly as he jumped up in excitement and headed for the faucet. He filled and emptied the jug probably 4 times before testing out his new puddle of pleasure...and it was perfect.
Oh...and did I mention Caleb was naked for all of this? Pretty much Caleb being naked is just as common and well known as Caleb enjoying mud. As his mom I must admit... when the mud is a factor, I welcome the nakedness. It simply makes things much easier for me. :0)
In the past Caleb's play times in mud have always been just that. This time though he took it to a new level. He is getting older and his imagination is growing with him. SO...this time he decided that he had become and Indian...he saw the mud now as war paint and applied it liberally on his face and body. He ran around the yard hollering and having a grand time.
His sister had been watching all of this and had stayed pretty far away from it all. She didn't care to get involved in this sort of fun and was happy that Caleb had seemed to forget all together that she was even there. Well...except for the naked part. As soon as someone takes off a piece of clothing, Georgia takes that as a green light for her to do the same. So she was naked but that was as far as she was going with her brother's idea of "fun" in the mud. Georgia truly detests water so as soon as the faucet had come on, she had retreated to the playhouse on the other side of the yard.
As time went on though, Georgia decided that this must be fun...Caleb sure was having fun and since the water had been turned off, she decided to try it out. She didn't want to go near the large puddle but she did find a few dirt spots of her own to try.
She even decided to throw in a few other textures and added sand to her body art.
Caleb thought all of this was great. Not only was he having the time of his life but he was gaining ground on developing his little apprentice. His encouragement and praise was unending, energetic, and heartfelt and it seemed to really add to his fun.
As the mom and photographer sitting back and hiding behind the camera...I couldn't get enough of it all. They had SO much fun and times like these are some of my FAVORITE things about warmer weather. To see your kids really enjoy themselves...a no-holds-bar sort of joy that you get to witness and savor, isn't it the greatest? When you can find it in your own backyard... and it's FREE!...ahhh...what could be better?
I mean really...have you ever seen my boy look so HAPPY?
I'm sure there will be many more days like this in the upcoming months. There have been plenty in the past and he only seems to enjoy it more and more each year.
:0)
for now...bye bye!
(Can't ya' already envision the scrapbook layout coming from this!!!)
You have got sooo much leverage right now, I tell ya, he is gonna be at your mercy not to show his "first love"..hehehe!
It's great when you STOP and enjoy the scenery like this..WTG MoM!
BTW-Your baby girl looked a little like her Aunty in the side shot w/the tummy..to funny!
Happy Easter!
Oh, what a fun time for those two!! AND you didn't have to do laundry, that's a real plus. Great shots and I *can* see the layouts already. BUT don't do them, til you finish mine. Ü
Great post, Sis!!
love ya!!
What Fun! So for little Georgis (who doesn't like water) how was the cleaning process? What a great thing to watch I'm sure!
weird
I SO TOTALLY want to come play at your house! That looks like SO much fun. I love the pic with mud flying. Awesomeness. See you soon, soon, soon!