Last Friday - The evening after a big rain storm (Daddy nearly got stuck with closed roads going down to Philadelphia!) Andrew and Daddy were out playing in the yard and on the back porch when he went sprinting around the corner stomping away (what little boy doesn't like to hear his feet stomping on our "draw bridge" of a wooden walkway) towards the cars in the driveway. Once Daddy caught up with him he was carefully studying something that he hadn't had an opportunity to see before... Andrew's first puddle.
There are lots of defining moments in a little boy's life which shape his future and his actions from that point in his life onward. This was one of them
Given the choice to carefully walk around the puddle (with many feet clear on the side to walk around) or the opportunity to turn around and continue playing with Daddy in the yard, Andrew decided to take that first tentative step into the puddle to "test the waters" a bit. Once he got that first shoe into the water, a quick glance back to see if Daddy was going to stop him or some kind of reaction. With that he starting stomping, kicking, and in general really enjoying his first puddle in his life...
I am glad that he followed in his Daddy's footsteps and after a good stint of playing in the puddle we came inside (covered in water, mud, and a great big smile) to greet Momma. With one glance, she saw that Andrew just had a lot of fun with his new finding.
Next time Andrew won't even take the time to observe, look for approval and take that first tentative step. That is when the fun of being alive and splashing in puddles comes alive in a little boy... It was fun to share his first puddle with him.
The following day (Saturday) Daddy had to work bright and early, but was home by 10am and greeted out back by Momma, and Andrew playing in the yard. They were rolling around on the little hill, climbing rocks, and picking up sticks, all of the fun things that you do on a gorgeous Saturday morning with Momma!
It was then that Momma and Daddy noticed another little boy first that only makes it into your fond dreams of parenthood. It was Andrew's first grass stain! Plain as day on his left knee and ready to finish the job with some on his right knee.
It was a great sight. We had to let Andrew's Papa and Grand Daddy know about it so we called and shared our fun morning with them as well as our other fun on the Saturday morning. It was a great weekend with lots of firsts for a little boy's life.
Next up comes eating worms, learning about squishing ants, and picking every flower in Momma's garden!
