Once upon a thunderstorm

Hello.  I thought I'd take a minute out of my busy, beautiful, perfect summer day to describe Lincoln's first thunderstorm.  He's 19 months, so of course he has caught a glimpse of lightning once or twice, but always from behind a window, inside, where it's dry, and warm, and a lot less exciting.  Usually Lincoln and I are out exlploring the city in the afternoon, with our best friend the Stroller.  But yesterday I was cooking and baking stuff for our camping trip this weekend.  Eventually we were tired of the indoors and decided to breathe some fresh air on the balcony.  And then....

The sky rumbled.  And turned gray.  The green leaves darkened as they tossed in the wind.  First one drop fell, then a thousand.

At first Lincoln looked worried and confused.  I smiled and reached out to the rain drops, knowing he takes his cue from me in unfamiliar circumstances. 

One smile is all it took.  A whole thunderstorm of joy ensued, complete with dancing and spinning, laughing and splashing, gaping at the flashy zig zags in the sky, and constant falling across the slippery balcony floor.  We. Loved. It. 

It felt so good to cool off.  Shiver, even!  Of course what's a summer afternoon without getting just a little dirty?

And doing a few pushups? 

But after all the fun, I had to get my baby into the bathtub.  I guess that's just the kind of mom I am-- comfortable with dirt, but also quick to the cleanup.

I don't think he minds.  Not one bit!