Love Thursday: Boys and Puddles

Puddle Reflection
Originally uploaded by momofthreewi

I've been away from the blog for a week, itching to write but just not having enough time in the day. The kids were off school for a four-day weekend and we had a wonderful time at an indoor water park for two of those days. We took my sister along which was so much fun. We returned Monday night and it seems that life keeps wanting to get in the way of what I want to do, darn it!

So I am finally jumping in (slight pun intended) to share a Love Thursday post about my little boy. Wow...after being the Mommy of two girls first, I had no idea what to expect from my little man. Being the mom of a boy was foreign territory to me at first and though I was delighted to add one to our family, I was fairly clueless on the whole concept. I have a few friends who only have boys and they are probably going to laugh as they read this confession.

Theo is still a mystery to me at times, but then so is my husband...and my father...and my brother. I've no doubt that to some extent, they all feel the same about me.

As Theo has grown (recently turning 6), I've been stumped by a number of things. What do you mean you want to sleep with matchbox cars? Why is the word "poop" so hilarious, especially at the dinner table? What motivates you to burp in front of your sisters and then announce that you did it in case anyone missed it? (Trust me, we didn't.) What is the appeal of Spiderman and pretend fighting with foam swords and shields? Thank goodness Steve seems to understand and even embrace it all (although he is quick to give Theo lessons on when it is and isn't okay to announce your burps and say the word "poop", for example, which is a huge relief to me.)

I do love his unbridled exuberance for all things "boy" and I'm slowly getting that some of this stuff truly just seems to be a "guy thing" . I don't have to understand it completely, but I accept it as part of who he is. I accept that grass stains on the pants (even the brand-new ones) is a frequent and unavoidable fact of life. I'm learning to use a foam sword and shield with a fair bit of confidence. I'm all about letting him turn on the hose to make messier "roads" in the sandbox for his monster trucks.

But between you and me? I love that he is a very well-rounded boy, too. He plays rough and tumble, but he also loves to snuggle. He is a great reader and he loves story time. He can color and draw pictures for hours and writes me the sweetest little love notes. He is always willing and eager to help me cook or bake something.

Last week, I bought Theo a pair of rain boots with frog faces on them. That very day, it rained hard. As soon as it let up a bit, I turned him loose on the puddles in our neighborhood and just marveled at his "let 'er rip" approach. He was splashing, running, lying down right in the puddles to see his reflection, stomping, giggling and soaked to the skin within minutes. I never said stop or told him just to stomp but try to keep his clothes dry. I just let him go for it and it was a moment of pure joy for both of us. I took a ridiculous number of pictures but they captured the true essence of my little boy.

On this Love Thursday, I am all about love for my sword-fighting, coloring, Spiderman-loving, cooking and baking, Lego-building, bike riding, grass-stain wearing, snuggling, reading, yes, even burping and puddle jumping little boy. He is teaching me as much as I teach him.