Mucking In The Mud~ Part One.

As a mama, I take some things VERY seriously. There are certain things that are just Non-negotiable. I don't care what anyone says....these things take top priority. One of these things is......Mucking in the Mud. Yes...you read that right. In the Living and Loving household, we take playing in the mud very seriously. It is my firm belief that all children are entitled to the pleasure of just plain old getting dirty. There is just no other way to fully learn to appreciate nature than to just dive right in. My job as Sugar Bear's mom includes freeing up lots of time to set her loose in the wild.



This past Monday, we were blessed with a break in the rain, AND the sun actually came out as well. That is really rare these days. The sun has been hiding behind dark, dismal clouds for months now. Luckily, Monday is my regular day off from work, so an incredible opportunity presented itself. Sugar was properly attired, and we headed out along our country road. As we walked, Sugar Bear got her learn on....and Mama joyously captured the moments with her trusty camera. We talked....we laughed....we discovered and played. The photos in this post were all taken within the first 15 minutes or so of out walk, while she was relatively clean. Believe me...shhe didn't stay that way for long.



I relish watching Sugar Bear work. There is a method to her madness, and I never walk away empty handed...or should I say HEARTED. There is a filling of heart and soul as I watch my child experience the freedom to explore her world. The excitement she finds in a simple stick sets my heart a flutter. I love to watch her intently poke the world with that little stick to see "what happens!", and hearing her interpretation of the experiment.



There is the poking....



and the stirring.....



and the inevitable breaking!



There are the "ooooooooos" and the "aaawwwwwwws", and the "Wow, Mom....look at thats!"



There's the questions.....and answers....and the wonderfully creative 3 year old theories.



There is nothing remotely like it. On days like that....I just know I am doing something right....NO DOUBT! Life is good, and we are blessed.



There are regrets though.....huge...big....fat.....REGRETS! Why oh why....don't they make these rockin' rubber boots in my size? NOT FAIR!



Happily Ever After

Sometimes you have to use
a little mental floss
to clear out the cobwebs.

Don't grow up ...
grow down a little.
Life doesn't have to be so serious.

Take on a dare
just for the fun of it.
Kick off your shoes
and run through that fountain
you saw in the park.

Watch the sun setting
into the water
from a wooden swing
on an empty beach.

Roll up your pants
and skip barefoot
through the waves
and gather sand dollars
in your shoes.

Hear a child's prayers at bedtime
... and really listen.

Puddles are there
for splashing
and mud is for making
mud pies.
Life doesn't have to be so serious.
We all need to live
happily ever after
every now and then.

~by CJ Heck

Can I get a BIG OLD "AMEN" to that?

Stay tuned for Part Two....where Sugar Bear hones her JUMPING skills. You won't want to miss it!