What A Boy Needs

Lately, it seems that for every warm, sunny day enjoyed there are three gray days of rain. So, it was no surprise this morning when I woke to thunder and raindrops.

Yes, it was a dreary, damp Sunday afternoon. Boo lay around determined not to find something to do and Tukes had a meltdown because there was a raisin in his granola bar {he likes raisins!}. I was on the brink of losing patience... something must be done, quickly!

Clouds and damp withstanding {the rain, it seems, decided to pause}, we donned our old shoes and headed down the hill to the neighborhood creek {which really is nothing more than nicely established and sufficiently wooded rainwater drainage system}. And thus ensued the happiest hour-and-a-half of our weekend.

We tromped along the creek bank following it through the woods... stepping in mud, tossing pebbles in water, climbing on rocks, having a fine time getting dirty. Our wandering led us to a shady bend where the water gurgles as the creek curves. We found an old, rickety footbridge there. Boo crossed it, back and forth, back and forth, declaring that it must be more dangerous than Mary and Laura's footbridge over Plum Creek. Tukes decided that our little spot, "Wooks just wike Shady Gwade" {as in Farewell to Shady Glade, a favorite book}.

We wondered if there were any tadpoles around {probably not yet} or if crawdads were hiding under the water. Tukes found a "worhm" and Boo decided that he simply needed to sit on the bridge, for a long time, because "it's all such a pretty sight."

I stood back watching their delighted exploration. Somewhere between the mud, the splashing, the worm, and the rocks I concluded that all a boy needs is... the happy company of another boy... loving parents to give affection, guidance, food, and answers to many questions... the thrill of a brave adventure... and a shady, muddy creek with plenty of rocks for tossing.

It was two reluctant {and dirty} boys that followed me the long way home this evening. Stepping into the kitchen we removed muddy shoes, washed dirt from fingernails, made waffles for dinner, and watched as it began to rain... again.