Muddy River Play

Today was beautifully overcast and less than hotter than hell. We hung around the house for most of the early afternoon. I took a little nap with Audrey to help keep a headache at bay. (I have stopped drinking soda and my head has been pounding for 2 days). Morgan was very patient with me considering she REALLY wanted to sew. In order not to wake her sister, she kept whispering downstairs, "Mommy, come on." Finally, I was able to pick my body off the bed in order to help Morgan my baby with the sewing machine. When Audrey got up, Morgan was excited to show Audrey the machine and "help" her touch it and look at all the parts.
After we cleaned up a little, we were off to play at the park. We actually didn't even enter the playground today. Morgan went straight to the stage and found some kids to play with. Audrey and I lagged behind as Morgan ran off to look at the river. Before I could even catch up, she asked if she could go down to the water. The water was high and there was no real place to play the last time she had asked and that picture was at the forefront of my mind. Immediately, I said, "no." However, when I got to the deck, I could see how low the river was and that we could all go down and play in the sand/mud. Morgan was very happy that I had a change of mind and rushed off to play with 3 children that were already swimming in the muddy water. Morgan wasn't there for 2 seconds before she was rubbing the mud on her dress and walking as far as she could go. I was totally bummed that I did not have my camera with me!
Audrey was not quite as eager to get messy or wet. As soon as I set her tiny toes onto the sand, she freaked out. I was pleased to have her stay in my arms until she was ready to explore a little more. I knew that once she started digging in the mud with a stick she would be fine; it really is just the texture of the sand/mud that bothers her the most. Eventually, she requested to get "up" and played quietly at my feet without ever venturing out too far.
Morgan, on the other hand, was far enough up the river that I could see her but couldn't hear her at all. She was playing with a boy named Clark(5) and another girl around the age of 5. Clark's little sister, Jessica (3), started crying about something. Her mother was with me and showed no sign of going to her. Morgan left the two older children and went to help the little girl. I have no idea what was said, but it was such an awesome sight to watch my little girl leave her game and wade to the water to the girl. She took her hand and helped her move through the water. I smiled from the inside out at the beautiful child that is my daughter.