"My get wet, Mama!"

Finn is an outdoors man through and through. I am a big fan myself, but he really takes after his Dad in his need to explore streams. We are all happier when we get outside during the day. Luckily, I have discovered we can walk across the street to a private road with almost no traffic and Finn can run to his heart's content. The folks who live on the road also have several trails through their woods and they said they don't mind if we walk them. This has been really nice to get some of Finn's energy out while being easy on me as I waddle around. However, the streams are running and Finn can't help but jump right in and see where they lead. This has led to some tough times this week as I have had to run after him through the brush only to carry back a sopping wet and very upset toddler. I love his need to explore and admire his enthusiasm, but he also won't listen and stay in a specified area. I am not sure how to get him to recognize some boundaries while still enjoying our time outside. Today, I decided, if I couldn't stop him, then I might as well take pictures. Here he is having a blast in what is quite chilly water. It doesn't seem to faze him in the least. For what its worth, I did have mittens for him and we went right home and warmed up when he had his fill.



We always take "monster truck" on our walks these days:

Okay, now we are headed home and Finn is taking the most complicated route: