A lesson in boys:

1. Sometimes you should let little boys jump in muddy puddles and make big splashes. It is good for them. So, we did. Today was that lovely taste-of-true-spring day that always comes and then disappears in March. It was sixty degrees, sunny in the afternoon, and the ground was still wet and fresh with rain and melted snow. It had rained throughout the morning and Ambrose was begging to go outside. Finally, peering out the window, he asked, "Can I put on my boots and go in the mud?" We walked down the street and splashed in every puddle we found, and wrapped the whole thing up with an ice cream cone from the Banana Split. I wish I'd had the good sense to bring my camera on the puddle jumping walk--the looks on their faces were just so cute. But I didn't, so I scrambled to get a few shots as soon as we got home. The rest of day consisted of hearty naps, a walk to the park to play with friends, and really, really thorough baths. All in all, a very, very good day.