Sunday, June 7, 2009

Water and Children...the perfect combination.

Add in a summers day with no school and you have a the beginnings of a childhood memory that will stay with you into old age. There is nothing better than the chance to spray your Dad with water from a wide sweep of your arm with an open palm...catch him just as he walks by...GOT HIM! Water is the neutralizer...it evens out the height difference and puts you in the driver's seat. There were times when my son was young with a water hose in his hand and a hideous glint of revenge in his eye...in complete control of me. I found myself begging..."Please...don't spray me" of course to no avail! That initial shock of the cold water at first angered me but then the laughter started and the water war began.

Where did I lose that spontaneity and where did Zach lose that innocence? Time and commitments I fear are the culprit causing the downfall of both of us.

16 comments:

Heather said...

Have you read my post from last night yet, Dan? I think you'll smile....

I love these water shots with our children!! I captured some such as this last night...only posting two but will share one or two this week on my photos blog.

Oh, by the way - I tried that format a bit on the photo that I'm sharing tomorrow morning. I don't know that it has come out quite as precise in the colors as I'd have liked it but it's not too bad for the first try - peek in tomorrow and see if you can think of any pointers for me...please?.

Dan Felstead said...

Heather...I am looking forward to yoru pictures...both of the children and also the HDR. I am on my home computer...I think I have your email and if I do, I am going to send you some references on HDR that will be helpful. If I don't have your email here, I will send it tomorrow...good luck!

Dan

Crazy Mo said...

What an amazing capture! You can almost hear the laughter. And I loved your narrative. It brought back memories of jumping through the sprinkler and trying to push Dad into it. Who, of course, easily picked us up and dragged us through!

Dan Felstead said...

CrazyMo....Those are great memories...do you think the kids of today will have the same memories???I hope so.

Dan

Cynthia L. H. said...

I've experienced the same thing with a child holding a hose in my face. :^)
Yes, you're right...evens out the playing field...
:^)

_we_the_pieces_ said...

wow! amazing photo, and true words. though I haven't been the one sprayed with the water, I have definitely been the sprayer, and it is one of the best things... ever!

Dani said...

Lovely ideas, Dan. Children at play are so inspiring and nostalgic. It makes one's heart ache for times past, but also renewed to live life more fully from now on. Thanks.

Unknown said...

What a great action shot! You son is so sweet - but I bet he's a little scamp as well. I always enjoyed romping with my kids during water games.

Precious!

Dan Felstead said...

Cynthia...after reading everyone's comments...it seems that the water hose, children and summer are inseparable!

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Molly,

I would hate to be on the receiving end of a hose held by you!

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Dani I agree but you are still in the midst of waterhoses and children at play...the empty nest make you long for those times again...don't miss a minute of it!

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Bobbi...
True...there are always two sides to the kids!

Dan

shabby girl said...

I loved this narrative! That moment between parent and child is so fragile. It can go either way; the anger, or the love.
Great picture too!

Dan Felstead said...

Shabbygirl...
No doubt! There have been times of both anger and love over the 23 years so far! So far...the love has won out however.

Dan

Heather said...

Oh, this brings back great memories! My grandmother loves to tell the story of me soaking my grandad one day when he was wearing a dress suit. I forget where he was going, but Grandma and I were watering the garden. I was too young to realize that he was dressed too nicely to get wet... so I soaked him, as was our afternoon routine. He might have been mad, but Grandma was laughing too hard for the situation to stay tense too long.

Dan Felstead said...

Heather...that is funny! Usually it is the grandfather who has the shrot temper and in the eyes of the grandmother...the kid can do no wrong! My wife's mom (Zach's grandmother) was like that...he could have been a bank robber and she would have said that the bank should make a stronger vault!

Dan