Memorial Day Tradition

For the second consecutive year, our little family celebrated Memorial Day by setting up a picnic and pulling out the sprinkler in the backyard.  And for the second consecutive year, Maia was beside herself with excitement over the sprinkler, until we actually set it up and turned it on.  Then she decided she didn't really want to do it.  She showed that by running away from the sprinkler as if it were acid spraying out of it.

Maia calls this a "pic-mic":

(Ugh, I look awful here.  My body after pregnancy is a bitch, y'all.)

Sprinkler time!

 Mo checks out the sprinkler when it's off.  It seems harmless enough, right?

 Papa coaxes her over as the spray begins

Ahhh!!  Water!!!  Abort mission!

RUN!!!! 

(I love Mo's expression here)

 Sam is very concerned about things.

Baby toes!

Just like last year, we thought that if one of us showed Maia how much fun a sprinkler can be, she'd get the idea and get over her hesitation (read: searing panic).  Last year it was me, this year, Brad won the prize.  Mo decided she would watch and see what it was like.

Luckily, Brad took to his job with real vigor.

 Head first!

 Leap!

 Super graceful!

 This is perhaps my favorite photo of the bunch.  I love how Brad is the one jumping through the sprinkler, and Maia is well off in the distance just watching.  Brad really tried to sell that sprinkler, I tell you!

Maia decided she would go through as long as Brad held on to her.

 She still wouldn't go in by herself, though.  

Notice how Brad's all wet, and Maia has barely touched water at all.

 Luckily, there was one member of this family who was totally game for that sprinkler:

 He either loved that water or hated it.  Either way, he mostly just gnashed his teeth at it and tried to bite at the spray.

Barney in action--he's wet and he's CRAZY!!!  :)

Anyone want to take bets on next year?  Maybe Sam will be all for it!