Puddle Splashing

As is usual around here, spring can be pretty hesitant to show up.  We've had a few warmer days (and by that I mean in the 40s), but the temperatures keep dropping back into the 30s and even the 20s (there's actually a few snowflakes floating around outside right now).  But those above freezing temperatures have resulting in lots of melted snow (with still plenty more snow to go before it's all gone).  But what comes as a result of melted snow?  Why, puddles of course!  As we've taken a few walks around outside when it has been nice, Ann has quickly learned of the joys of splashing in puddles.  I think I need to invest in some rubber boots for her, as her snow boots most definitely don't keep water out (but we prefer to use her snow boots over her regular shoes!).

Last Friday we decided to venture out for a little walk.  It wasn't as warm as I would have liked (still in the 30s), but at least the sun was shining and there wasn't too much of a breeze.

It didn't take long to find a puddle!  (Notice all that snow still back there?  But do you know what else is visible?  Grass!!  Haven't seen that in pretty much forever)

One of our neighbors noticed me taking pictures of Ann and offered to take a picture of us together.  In typical Ann fashion, she was very skeptical of the whole thing (which I must admit, if I had to pick between her being really afraid of/shy with strangers or being totally outgoing with anyone/everyone - I'd pick the shyness).

There were some good sized puddles on the sidewalk, which results in good sized splashes.

Ann had found a big stick a week or so earlier on a previous walk, and we've kept it sitting outside our front door.  She remembered it and so we went back to get it (I took her hat off so you could see her face better in the pictures, and she decided to take off her mittens while holding the stick).

Using the stick to splash the water

And poking the stick in the snow

Ann asked me to write her name in the snow (something I've done before).  Every time I've done that, I've always wondered if someone will notice it and be curious about who is writing their name in the snow.