Rain, Rain, come and play

Taking free play outside to engage the senses and engage my fond memories of playing in the rain took us outside on this rainy spring day.
I didn't give in to my toddler's pleas to go out in the rain immediately at 7:30 a.m. (at a very non-balmy 48°), but between lunch and nap, we put on our boots, waterproof (winter-weight) jackets and froggy umbrella and went out to splish-splash.
The umbrella's big, froggy eyes watched as the 24-month old learned that decks get slippery when it rains; that under a down spout rain makes a deep puddle that makes really big splashes; and that the only thing that really happens when you kick the gush of water coming out of the down spout is that your pants get really wet.
The rain thundered on the roof of our steel shed, but my toddler instead turned his head upward, listening to and studying the rain pattering on the spotted umbrella and rolling down its plastic tips and splashing on the ground.
I wished I had a waterproof covering for my camera.

The 37 in. arc of the froggy and ladybug umbrellas are perfect for toddlers or petite children, and the slightly larger ducky umbrella with a bill that sticks out and a 41 in. arc is great for any size child. All three umbrellas are available at GrowlGearStore.com for $12 plus shipping and tax.