Golden Afternoon

     I am writing this blog post mainly to capture this "happy place" we created today for me to remember when Laura is inevitably driving me crazy at some point in the future... ;)
    Nearly every day after Laura wakes up from her nap (usually around 4pm), we go outside for an hour or so until Dad gets home. It works out well because the sun is down far enough by then that a) she won't get sunburnt, b) I don't need to fight her to wear a hat anymore (because she won't leave one on her head), and c) there is enough shade that I can sit out there without becoming uncomfortably hot. Usually I sit and watch her paddle around in her pool, filling toys with water and dumping them, going down her slide (and climbing back up!), writing with chalk on the wall, digging in the garden, etc.
     But today we had a particularly delightful afternoon. It was hot, and Laura was splashing water from the lid of a tupperware bin and getting it all over herself and in her face. But instead of getting upset and crying, she laughed. She even started "singing" her own little song about it. I tried to think of a kids' song to do with splashing water that I could sing along with her, but then realized that sometimes songs with no real words are just fine. Following her lead, we sang a few verses of "dum dah dah dum dum" (or however it went, I can't remember now). We also shared a laugh at Willow who, after I turned the hose on her, began attacking the water like it was some small animal of prey. Very funny.
     Then I decided to chase Laura around on my hands and knees. Our respective speeds are matched just about perfectly for her to be able to run away just out of reach, which she loves. Giggling wildly she picked up a handful of grass clippings and threw them at me. My first instinct was to be mad and tell her not to do that. But then I realized, what was the harm? So I threw a handful back at her. We both ended up covered in grass clippings by the time we were done. I realized today that it's good for the soul to just loosen up and have fun like that.
     We also had some mommy horsey rides that she loved, as well. I guess I need to get down on her level more often. Having a happy giggling toddler makes for a happy mommy. <3

(please excuse the less-than-flattering camera angle of my giant rear) ;)