Reed LLLLOOOOOVVVVES water. He loves splashing in it, he loves getting sprayed in the face with it, he loves being wet.

There is never a dull moment when Reed is around water. Bath time is always fun and a happy time. Whenever we are in the backyard we have to restrain him from getting in the dog water bowl (as we found out on Easter). Kiddie pools are always a hit. But the best one so far has to be during a recent rain storm.

It was early evening and I had just finished the rush to mow the grass before the clouds rolled in. We were inside and it had already started raining. Reed caught a glimpse of the older kids running around in the cul-de-sac through the window next to the door. He proceeded to open the door (he can do that now) and walk out to the covered entryway porch. We watched the whole thing play out… after all he was in a very good mood that night, and it is always fun to watch his mind work.

He stood on the front porch and yelled out the kids that were running up and down the street, playing in the pouring rain. Reed wanted to be out there SOO bad! Well, there wasn’t anything stopping him… he can negotiate the stairs himself, so I was there with him in case he needed me.

As he eased down the stairs, he stepped farther into the rain, and he started to get very excited about the constant drops on the back of his head and in his face when he looked up. He had a huge grin on his face by the time he reached the last step and stood up. He then wandered into the front yard and driveway and absolutely loved it.

It wasn’t a very intimidating rain storm, but strong enough to start making puddles in the street for the kids to pounce through. Reed wanted some of that too, so hear is where Dad stripped down to his shorts and went out to join him.

I got the wagon and carted him around the street and made sure to go fast enough to splash some puddles. I loved it and so did he.

I’m glad I followed his lead and remembered for a short moment what it was like to play in the rain and splash in the puddles.

RB