Snips and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails

Can I tell you how much I love watching my little boy play? He and I have been outside for the past two days--finally getting to work in my mom's yard. He has pulled every single toy out of the toy box, the shed and the house. He has thrown sand all over himself. He has "helped" us rake and bag leaves and carry stuff to the curb. He has chased birds and tormented the cat. He has found every single, solitary drop of water from the rain or the hose and stomped in it. He makes sure that mom and I have our breaks--complete with pretzels, Cheese Nips, M&Ms, and milk or water. Sometimes mom and I will just sit down and watch him. I have often said that I wonder what is going through his little mind. Today, I called out to her, "He is absolutely beautiful!" She replied, "You better believe he is!" He will tell us "bye" and take off to all corners of the yard just being curious and all the while talking and/or singing to himself. He will reappear a little later, whining a little about some speck of dirt on his hand or shirt or pants that, for some unknown reason, is just more than he can handle at the moment. Then, when it is time to put everything away--he works like a trooper. When we return home, he is more than happy to get in a tub full of bubbles and wash Nanny's yard off himself. I am going to have to go to the store tomorrow. We need to get some cleaner to get the grit out of the tub!