Frogs and Snails and Puppy-Dogs' Tails

A couple months ago a friend of mine babysat Liam for an afternoon.  She has three little boys who showed Liam what real boys do.  When I went to pick him up he was soaked in water and covered in mud and he was so thrilled, I could tell he had never been happier.  In that moment I realized that I have been a little overprotective of my overly curious and adventurous son.  So I have made a conscious effort to let him explore a little more and even get dirty on extra special occasions.  I put him in some hand-me-down pants and shoes and gave him full freedom with the hose.  He thought he had died and gone to heaven.