Wednesday night, the girls and I were driving home from Gabby's National Honor's Society induction ceremony (oh yeah, I'll blog about that later). Gabby was wishing for rain on Thursday, "I love when I rains during the school day, it's so calming." Sinobia agreed.
I on the other hand hate rain of school days. If you don't know already, I teach Kindergarten. Recess is an important part of our day. We start our day outside and then go out again for our lunch recess. Being inside all day makes me crabby and it makes the kids a little crazy. We cherish our time outside. We need the fresh air!
"Well, we don't have recess like you guys mom" says Gabby.
"Mom, you take your kids outside anyway!" says Sinobia.
"You take your kids out even in the rain?" asks Gabby.
"Yes, we put on our raincoats, rain boots, hats, and whatever we need to stay dry. If we don't have rain boots, occasionally we will just go outside barefoot and stomp in the puddles." is my reply.
Gabby becomes a little irritated at the fact that I take my kids outside to play in the rain and that I let them play barefoot "at school".
"Playing in the rain is one of the best childhood memories a kid can have. I used to do it all the time, and I still remember the fun and excitement of it all."
"I can't believe that the parents let you do that!" is Gabby's "so Gabby", stick to the rules response.
"Have you never played in the rain Gabby? I'm sure I let you play in the rain when you were little. If you have never played in the rain, then I have failed as a parent in a major way!"
Sinobia: "I remember playing in the rain."
Gabby: "Yes mom, I have played in the rain, but when I was little. It just seems weird to me now."
(Whew...I thought this was going to be an epic fail moment in my parenting!!!)
Sinobia: "Mom, can we still play in the rain?"
"Yes! I encourage you to play in the rain! Have some fun, be a little adventurous, explore nature!"
What do you know.....It rains on Thursday! Not only does it rain, it storms and hails!
Gabby, loving the calming effect of the rain, settles in on the back porch to do her homework. Sinobia, of course, goes to stomp in puddles and jump on the trampoline!
Of course I had to video this moment...
Here it is!
At one point, the hail is coming down so fast and hard, that I am afraid that Sinobia will get a concussion if she is struck by a piece of hail on the head. Gabby is delighted to watch her sister be a goof-ball in the rain, but only ventures out to grab a piece of giant-sized hail.
After dinner we all settle in on the back porch. Eric comes home to find us all curled up in our chairs reading and doing homework. Now I can check the "playing in the rain" experience off of of my kids childhood bucket list:)
