Summer Storm

We opened up our front door today after lunch to find a surprise!  It had started raining!  In August! In the desert!  

Now, I love summer storms.  They are rare and fleeting and beautiful.  The rain washes the dry, dusty plants, cleans off the streets and sidewalks, and reminds us desert dwellers that there is more to life than heat, heat, and more heat.  I like to sit and watch it come down while listening to the light pitter patter of the drops.  

The kids, however, saw the rain, and went through about a ten step process: denial, fear, anxiety, gradual acceptance, curiosity, happiness, glee, and finally unabashed silliness.   

Here's the scene today at lunch.  Danny is tying on his work boots, which in itself is very sweet.  See I no longer insist that he take his boots off in the house, since we have all tile floors now, but he still does it.  I love that.   The kids are a little nervous, a bit pensive.  They are considering this substance falling from the sky.  What is it?  Why is it coming down?  Is there cause for concern?  A tantrum perhaps?

Cubby, true to character, is the first to venture out to dance in the rain.

This is the face Danny made when I asked him what he really thought of the rain.  Nice.  Farmers.  What can you say?  The poor guy probably has hay down or something, but a few drops isn't really cause for that face, now is it?!

That's better.  What a handsome guy I've got!  

Then Danny attempted to introduce little G to rain, since this is completely new to her.  Her little two year old brain is trying to comprehend what is happening here.  Or maybe she's just wondering why she's out in the front yard with just a diaper on.  Because you're a Walker, silly!

Once she felt it, understanding started to set in...

She is clearly thinking, "Wow.  That........was...............awesome."  Do I need to point out again how cute my loving man is?  Ooops, just did!

Then she let loose with pure, unfiltered joy!

J.D. was a little more subdued, but in his heart he felt the joy overflowing as well.  What is it about the rain that made my little baby boy turn into a real boy?  Look at him, he looks like a little kid in this picture!  Rain, rain, go away!

Then dad had to go back to work, and J.D. jumped at the chance to give his dad a big kiss and hug.  The hug is adorable, but I was equally taken with the wet street and water standing in the gutter.  Aaahhhhh! Thrilling!  I know, I need to get out more.

So my little Minnie Mouse clad four year old continued to enjoy the wet sidewalk,

while my rambunctious five year old enthusiastically dressed for winter (it is raining, you know!) then did a crazy dance on the oh so slippery sidewalk.

Oh so slippery.    Ouch!  Thank goodness for diapers!  And thank God for the gift of a summer storm.  We needed the refreshment!