Monday, October 26, 2009

Dirt Don't Hurt

Yesterday we decided to take advantage of the rare, beautiful weather and go hiking, after an extremely long day on Friday and Saturday. Luke had a great time collecting every leaf in the forest, and after walking about two miles, we decided to sit and soak up the sun.
As I went to sit on a bench, I saw this sign.


I read it out loud to Shane because it seemed so perfect, and then we joked about how whomever considered this place to be still and silent had never been there with Luke.
Two minutes later, Luke asked if he could take off his shoes. Instantly, Shane and I both said no. It was wet, muddy, and not really all that warm, but then we looked at each other, shrugged, and changed our no to an okay. Luke was thrilled, and before we knew it, these clean little piggies...

Threw sticks in the water

Collected leaves

And soon, they looked like this.

He didn't care. He laughed and ran and squished mud between his feet and said, EWW DIRTY, while I grabbed a moment to nurse Tommy. (Note: It is beyond ridiculously easy to nurse in the Hotslings AP.)

It was neither quiet nor still, but for us and one little boy with very muddy feet, it was most definitely a place that we all felt the happiness of our dreams come true.

17 comments:

Cameron said...

Very cute! :)

Stillmary said...

That is so beautiful. The bare feet story is beautiful and so are the pictures; and the picture of you and Tommy is so lovely and touching. You are a gifted writer AND photographer!

Anonymous said...

My daughter loves to feel different textures under her feet. Maybe we should all take our shoes and socks off every now and then.

Crooked Eyebrow said...

Oh Erin, that is too perfect.

Mimi's Toes said...

Awh! What a beautiful post. You are such a good momma, cause I agree that a little dirt won't hurt ya! He will never forget these days of mud squishing through the toes...A wonderful family day for all of you.

Stephanie Wilson she/her @babysteph said...

I love the one of you nursing on the bench!

Steph

Beth at I Should Be Folding Laundry said...

I love this.

Unknown said...

So glad you let him take his shoes off! And love the photo of you nursing, so beautiful...

Unknown said...

I love that saying and it really looks like a perfect day.

InTheFastLane said...

Sometimes, you just gotta go with it. good for you for saying yes. Sometimes, it is so much better than than the no's that we want to say.

april said...

It sounds like the perfect day!

Bacardi Mama said...

A perfect memory to treasure and remember years from now.

Nicole @ WhenDidIBecomeMyMom.com said...

Oh I love little baby toes. I had one of those moments today where I stopped thinking about my boys interrupting my work and just put it aside.

We had the best night - everybody, baby and all, playing and laughing til our tummies hurt...

Sometimes exuberance is almost as good as silence...

designHER Momma said...

looks fantastic. We hope to get out of the house today and do a little hiking ourselves...

Kellyn Fritz said...

Barefoot in the mud is a wonderful thing. Looks like a perfect day!

Mel said...

What a great way to spend a beautiful fall day! I think it is wonderful that you allowed him to take of those shoes and feel the earth between his toes. Such a cool mommy!!

Sharon - Mom Generations said...

Perfect moments making perfect days making perfect memories. You are a wonderful, wonderful Mommy and Daddy and your love squishes right through those marvelously dirty little piggies! (And if Luke ever says, "Oh, Mom... you never let me do ANYthing," just pull out the photos 'cuz oh yes you did!!)