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Rain, Puddles, & Mud

Mini Man loves to get dirty. Alway has. With him there seems to be some magnetic pull towards messes. Even activities that are normally "clean" for other children some how leave him sticky or filthy - he just dives in to everything 100%.

As a kid I enjoyed a good mess. After it rained I loved to splash through the ditches of our small town. I'd spent countless summer hours popping the tar bubbles that formed on the road outside our house. Catching worms, frogs, and snakes brought me great joy. As I've gotten older though I've developed a bit of an aversion to messes - the clean up is so much work! I want my children to feel free to explore though, to experience nature first hand. So even though my first instinct is to say no, I let Mini Man dig in the dirt for worms and other creepy crawlies. I've allowed the mixing of mud potions and have even provided some non-precious containers to enhance the fun.

A couple evenings ago when a warm rain moved in my first thought was to make some hot chocolate and curl up with a blanket and a good book. But I know my Mini Man; that he loves to dance in the rain and that puddle jumping brings him great delight.  I want to share in his delight.






It was the right choice. The memory of this rainy evening is one I'll treasure. 

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