Polar Bear Plunge

Well, it had to happen sooner or later, I guess. You can file this one under the parental heading of "Why Not?". You and I were enjoying an afternoon in the backyard when you developed a very serious interest in the fountain that we have been sitting by since you were born.

Now, I must admit, my first instinct was to say "no" and distract you with something else and keep you out. But in the back of my mind, I heard myself saying "why not?". Since no good answer came to me at the moment...I let you go ahead and explore to your hearts content. I was certain once you touched the cold water you would be done and I was standing by to save you....I could not have been more wrong.

Before I knew it, you, my child, who hated every baby pool I put you in last summer and any water colder than your warmer than warm bathwater was scaling the levels of the fountain and rearranging my expensively placed rocks as you went. You were very very focused and "on task".

Granted....it was 80˚ outside on this unusually balmy day in January in Southern California and granted the water level of the fountain was on the low side with no "pool" at the bottom"...but that water was darn cold - I checked. You did not even flinch other than to look at me to see if I was going to stop your plan as you made your first steps into the wet zone. You was a man on a mission to get to the top and it was fascinating to watch you . You showed me many rocks and twigs that you discovered along the way and obviously found fascinating...

You did a pretty good job of staying mostly dry...butt and arms exluded...

Because you see, there was much splashing...

And detailed investigation of rocks of all shapes and sizes...

Soon the rock exploration turned to taste...

That experiment was soon over, but at that point, I figured you had worked up quite an appetite and were probably ready for lunch as the climb to the top took approx 30 minutes...and we had already been outside for quite some time.

So a few more pics and we headed inside to dry off and have some lunch. You had so much to tell me after we went inside and I think you really enjoyed that little excursion. I know I did and I think I also learned to ask myself "why not?" a bit more often. I had fun...I hope you did too...