I'm only happy when it rains...

We have been having crazy storms in the last few weeks! Unfortunately, they all were happening in the late evening and in the middle of the night...leaving no fun for the kids and I.
Usually, the minute I see dark clouds in the sky, I become glued to the window, waiting for the first drop (or at least a drop in the temperature!) so we can play outside! But, we were just missing all of the action due to early (necessary) bedtimes and a desire to sleep through the night (a glorious new luxury in our house, after three years).
BUT, about three weeks ago, on a Monday afternoon, it finally happened. And although James was napping (important) and I was collapsed on the couch moving between shivering and sweating, coughing and dozing while Ben and Bethany indulged in nearly-unsupervised-play on the floor near me, I lept up! Ran downstairs, got James, met Bethany and Ben at the top of the stairs, opened the gate (we have many) and ran down to throw open the front door (you have to move fast...don't always know how long these storms will last). YES! No lightning.
So, here we are, enjoying our spontaneous outdoor play.

Not as enthusiastic as Mom...

Not at all...

After about twenty seconds...yeah, that's what I thought.
Sidewalk chalk looks awesome in the rain.
Laying in the grass feels even better than sidewalk chalk looks.
But pretty soon, running around with siblings sounds even better than that and they take off, playing some sort of game about a lion chasing them.
Bethany teaches Ben how to enjoy the feel of wet concrete under his bare feet.

"The Lion is coming!!!"

James conquers a boulder. "The lion is coming!"

Scout sneaks outside (which is okay during rain) and off the front porch (which is never okay).

James tries to scare him back into the house. I laughed so hard at him doing this and made him do it over and over again.

Bethany and James balance precariously on the brick wall separating our driveway from our neighbor's yard. Such brave souls. Maybe it was the only way to escape the lion.

We return to playing on the porch at some point, only to receive a surprise visit from Grandma Trudie!! She came to check up on Mommy in her wretchedly ill state and probably make sure her grandkids weren't getting too neglected. :) The kids run out to greet her.


Ben is...not as fast. But equally excited and giving a solid effort to cross the vast driveway. (I like the wet marks from his pant legs!)
He finally makes it and welcomes her properly.

"The lion is coming!!!"

Our lovely front yard, drinking in all the new moisture it has been blessed with. Might I add that JC had just cut the grass a couple days before and he did a fabulous job. Don't you think?

We cannot WAIT for the next "day rain".