As the children grow up, I’m often struck by moments we’ve left behind. The ones that silently disappeared. No fanfare. They were part of our family life one moment, then slipped away with no one noticing.
Puddle jumping is one. The art of jumping into the centre of a puddle and making the biggest splash possible.
It seems like only yesterday I was buying wellies that gave the maximum leg coverage, to cope with the inevitable high water splashes of successful puddle jumping. Most parents of toddlers, when approaching a puddle, give a sideways look at their child to double check how they are dressed that day. A split second decision about whether a wet toddler fits in with your day or is a game changer. Still time for evasive action.
When did that change for us? I didn’t notice, but it has long since gone.
Certainly, puddle-meters and ladybird boots no longer feature in our lives.
(Banded demoiselle)
(orange balsalm)
Strangely, puddle jumping has not vanished. Or should that be evaporated? Whichever it is, it still goes on, but in a different form. With different footwear. As I watched the children jump over a never ending series of puddles down the canal path, I saw the transformation. The objective has changed. No longer is it about the biggest splash. Now it is about the lack of contact. Clearing the puddle completely, in one, long leap.
We were impressed by their synchronised movements. An Olympic sport of the future…..maybe. Points awarded for style, uniformity and challenging tricks. A point deducted for each mud splattering spot on their legs.
Did they stay dry? No. We were walking beside a canal in the rain. No chance. I had their waterproofs in my bag, but no one wanted to stop the fun and put them on.
Did they fall in the puddles? No. As if! This is the senior version of puddle jumping after all.
I’d say that is a plus.
I love watching little one’s jumping in the puddles and feel so sorry for the one’s that are not allowed.
The syncronised movement of your girls is impressive considering their legs are different lengths.
Keep all videos and photo’s they will love looking at them when they are older.
I raked out a tape we made of our Grandson when he was quite tiny reciting nursery rhymes, so cute and a treasure to keep.
Briony
x
We were impressed by the synchronisation. Especially as one is left handed and the other right handed.
That does sound like a tape to keep. I can imagine it is very sweet.
Poignant post. Puddle jumping is a great joy in life. I remember my husband telling me off for jumping in a puddle with our young son and it was then that I knew we looked at things very differently.
Puddle jumping is not for everyone. We all draw our own line in the sand. I still can’t help smiling when I see a toddler jump into the middle of a puddle. The smiles it generates.
Excellent photos…. they grow up so fast and at times I don’t know if I should laugh or cry…but then I have to smile (and it’s nice to see how games evolve)
Yes. I just love seeing them play still. Finding the fun.
My son is exactly the same nowadays, but likes to land in the puddles if he knows someone (big sis) is around to splash/annoy. My daughter has never been one for jumping in puddles, always walked around the edge. How different two children can be!
It’s all about the challenge. Leaping over or biggest splash. I can imagine how tempting it must be to time the splash!
What a great viewpoint, it’s always sad when a childhood past time evaporates into the ether I’ve seen my lot do this regularly and I’d never even considered it from this point of view. You certainly had some good puddles to get jumping over along the path, the perfect spot for senior puddle jumping. I’m amazed by their synchronised movements in the gif, it would like like they really were getting points!
Thanks for linking up with me on #CountryKids.
I love seeing them grow. Not just physically, but the way they think. Knocks me sideways sometimes. Yes, they were great puddles. Lots of opportunity to perfect their performance. Watch out, Olympics 2024.
That is such a cool stop capture, yes it does change from puddle jumping to leaping, you’re right. Mich x #Countrykids
I’m glad that they can still find fun on walks like this one.
Ahh! My 9 year old still loves to jump in puddles my teen prefers to jump over them. lol
It looks like your lot had great fun jumping the puddles. #CountryKids
I think my youngest would have been jumping in the odd puddle too, if he had been wearing boots. They all had such fun.
They definitely have a future in synchronized puddle jumping – I have all this to look forward too as I still like jumping knee deep in mud and puddles! Popping over from #CountryKids
Enjoy the puddles and the mud for as long as you can. The senior version can wait.
My kids love puddle jumping. Look like they had lots of fun there! #CountryKids
Just a quick question what app – do you use for the photos. Looks really cool! x
Not an app, but part of the html code for the images. It is quite easy. Happy to share if you would like.
You know I struggle with ideas that all my kids can do (ages 8-20) but I think that this is puddle jumping idea would go down well with all of them. Looks like your children had an amazing time. #countrykids
It is simple, but so often they are the best activities.
I think these shots look rather artistic. My eldest loves splashing about in puddles. #CountryKids
I’m glad she enjoys it. Long may it last.
Oh it makes me feel sad to think that one day my girls will be too big to want to jump in puddles. Good to know that puddle jumping does continue in a different form. I love your animated photos – they are so wonderfully in sync! #countrykids
Lovely post – mine are still in the splashing and filling up their wellies with water stage but rather sad to think the time will come when they don’t splash but jump instead! #countrykids