Letting my kids BE kids

I have been feeling like a really mean mom lately because I feel like I am always telling my kids to SHHH, or get out of there, don't do that, that's not nice manners, and on and on. I was talking to my visiting teachers about this subject and they were agreeing, it is hard to let your kid scream in the backyard for fear of disturbing the neighbors, or allowing them climb the trees because they might break a branch. I don't remember so many rules when I was a kid and I don't want my kids to grow up feeling like their Mom never let them do anything when they were kids. So a couple of times this past week, I have let my hair down a bit and let them just be kids. I walked outside assuming that they were still playing duck, duck, goose on the grass, but this is what I found. So rather than yelling, and throwing everyone directly into the tub, I ran to grab my camera. Yeah, that's a garbage can lid. ( They are only use for yard waste; don't freak out.) Yeah fully clothed. Soaking!!! So a couple of days later it rained almost all day. The kids by mid morning really wanted to go outside, so I let them. Two minutes later I made them come back inside and get into swim suits becasue I know that the puddles were going to be too much to ressist. Are any of your kids as crazy about water and puddles?

This was the puddle in our driveway. Keep in mind that it is only like 50 degrees outside. Lacey is pushing the puddle down to meet the dirt. Guess what? Mud! Gotta love it. I remember doing the same thing when I was a kid, but making mud pies in the gutter, with gutter mud. I don't remember my Mom having a cow. What is that? OH MASON BOY! Needless to say they had fun, and if they ever tell me that I never let them do anything, I have proof that I did.

Grant me the patience to deal with my blessings!