It had been raining for a couple of days causing the temperature to drop from barefoot and muggy to jackets and jumpers.  We hadn't been outside due to the weather and once the rain stopped the children were biting at the bit to PLAY!  Indoor play is fun, but nothing can ever beat the fresh air, swinging trees, birds chirping, locusts humming, and white fluffy cloud whimsy.

They BEGGED me to allow them to play at the water table.  One of their favorite activities is using the hose to fill, then dump, then refill the table again and again.  This does make for a muddy mess, but to them mud is just another bonus.  And let's face it...everything IS washable for a reason..

I had to say no due to the temperatures.  I hate telling them "no."  I try to say "yes" to everything I can and save the "no" moments for safety issues, so they will understand that it means something more than just "not right now."

But, in the 50 degree temps, water play just wasn't on the menu.  So, they set out to adventure.  They found droplets on leaves, itty-bitty mud puddles under the rocks, worms brought to the surface of the ground...and, therefore, more birds willing to hang around within closer proximity than normal. 
 
Then, this toddler twosome came running to me all out of breath leading me back to something that desperately required my attention.  They ran to the wheel barrow filled with rain water.  My little blondie was asking permission, while you can see my baby of our little school family was just ready to jump in! 

You can't hide a treasure from the heart that is searching... 

These little precious babes were actually on a mission to find a puddle big enough for play.  I had said "no" to the water table, so they found water on the leaves, under rocks, under the flower pots, in tiny little tid-bits here and there.  But, this was the MOTHER LOAD!  This is what they had been searching for.  At this point...I couldn't turn them down. 

Yes, they got soaked...  Yes, it was chilly...  But, with toddlers the water splished and splashed away at record pace.  And...yes, they were soooo happy. 

And, isn't that what life's all about; finding the treasures our hearts are looking for.  Their little hearts just longed for their favorite play past-time...mine was longing for their giggles of glee. We both found what we were looking for...

What is your heart searching for today?  Don't give up...find it under a leaf, find it under a rock, it might be that you begin finding it in small spaces; keep searching until you find it in GREAT MEASURE.  And, when you find it, don't keep it hidden.  Share it with a friend, share it with the ones that love you.  You never know when the treasure you find may become just what their heart treasures too...

I wish you well and I hope you get to play today.

-L

If you follow us on Facebook, you know many of the fun, educational and all around messy activities we do on a daily basis, but if you don't and rely on our blog I have absolutely NOT been on the ball recently.  I LOVE to write about what the children are doing, how they are growing, how they see the world around them, and why we do what we do.  But, from time to time, the needs of my children supersede all else.  This has been such a time. 
As a homeschool momma, business owner, blogger (wanna-be), toddler climbing post, and all around multi-hat juggler (as we all are!!), my time to actually sit down and write seems to be thrust to the wee hours when all are sleeping.  Recently, my little girl has been in a "NO SLEEP" zone and pushed the limits of caffeine consumption to a record high for the adults in her life.  She, like many 2's and 3's, wants our full devotion, especially when all her little friends have gone home for the evening.  Recently, as I sat with my computer lap and asking her for "Just one more minute, honey and Mommy will be done," it hit me...THIS TOO SHALL PASS... 

All too often I have heard that phrase quoted as a means to encourage someone to just keep going despite the odds, that the life event they are experiencing will not last forever and that they can endure it with persistence.   But, this season of her little life will be gone in the blink of an eye.  This time to enjoy each season as though it was her first, to taste the snowflakes, jump in the puddles, make dirt soup, draw letters in the sand, look for animals in the clouds...this too shall pass...and I don't want to miss a beat, not a single look, discovery, or experience. 

Sometimes, it does me well to remember that she just wants me...perfect or not, prepared or not, fully caught up on my work or not...me...just...me...

and I wouldn't have it any other way.