We have, rather suddenly and unexpectedly, spring weather today in Vienna.  It’s currently over 50 degrees outside.  The snow has nearly all melted and we had rain for most of yesterday.  That makes it an excellent day for jumping in puddles.

Both of my boys love jumping in puddles.  Benjamin currently believes that the bigger the puddle, the better, and you have to keep an eye on him, because he’ll leap into one, spraying everyone within 15 feet with muddy puddle water, with absolutely no notice or remorse.  B is happy to splash in the same puddle, over and over, until he is soaked or the puddle is empty.  Liam, on the other hand, doesn’t discriminate based on puddle size.  He carefully examines the ground around him for good candidates, runs up to them, and very sweetly asks, “May I jump in this puddle?” before giving it a well-planned splash or two and then moving on to the next one, asking, “Can we find another puddle?!”

They are both so sweet.  Watching their joyful enthusiasm for jumping into puddles is so wonderful.  I wish I could ink these moments permanently into my brain.  I wish I could hold on to the image, perfectly and forever, of holding hands with my little ones while they smile and giggle and splash.  I love how happy it makes them, and how happy they just ARE.  It’s infectious.  I can’t be around them while they’re doing this and not be joyful myself.  Part of it is watching my kids be happy, but the other part of it is just being reminded of how simple joys can be and of how everything is wonderful if you look at it the right way.  They’re teaching me.  I jumped in some puddles today, too.  I don’t know if I enjoyed it as much as they did, but I’m glad we were able to do it together.