Wet and wild water Wednesday at Sprucelands.

A kicker gets the ball in play, grabs the alligator, and runs for first base.

Yesterday we did pretty well in the heat. In fact, the kids had a great time in the afternoon. After an extended rest hour, we played water games in front of the lodge. We moved three blocks of riding into the morning when it wasn't quite so hot and saved the fourth block for after supper around 8:00 p.m. Much, much cooler then.

So let me tell you about the innovative wet and wild Wednesday water game that the barn staff introduced. I've not seen it before. This is something really clever that you might try with a bunch of friends at home. It's a great picnic game. I'll warn you though...this is kickball!

Home base with a bucket of water and a sprinkler of fun.

The bases are set up. They are smallish buckets of water. However, home base is a huge garbage can of water with a sprinkler running next to it. In order to be safe at any base, you have to put your arm in the bucket of water. Of course, at home base you're sure to get soaked because as you put your arm in the bucket the sprinkler hammers you with spray.

There are two teams. Each baseman is set up with a rocket plunger filled with water. Anytime a runner approaches a base they are sprayed with the water from that rocket plunger. Makes for lots of laughs.

Rocket plunger!!!!

Safe at third!

Now there is another glitch, the alligator must move from base to base. I'm a little confused about that. I'm not sure if a runner carries the alligator for one base or all the way around. I'm thinking you can be creative with your rules. Could be each runner carries it one base so the alligator gradually and eventually swims home.

To start a team member kicks off and runs to first base where he or she must plunge their arm into the bucket of water in order to stay in the game. If they are carrying the alligator, it gets a bit complicated.

Oh my! How did I get here!

Yikes! That water is cold! Save me!

Somehow they still get sprayed with rocket water and they still laugh themselves silly as they try to avoid being sprayed. It's quite a challenge. If they are not carrying the alligator, they run faster and slide into the base, sometimes - like Lia - with an unexpected, totally surprised slide.

Of course as the game continues, the water is a bit more free flowing. Those who have avoided getting wet are doused with full buckets and attacked with rocket sprayers. Because it's all in good humor and for the good of everyone in the heat, we all are good sports, enjoying the coolness of the wet and wild Wednesday water games.

Air conditioning is wonderful.

I have to add a footnote. Carol Reis came to visit us yesterday and brought human powered air conditioning for everyone. We were thrilled as we sat around chatting and fanned ourselves energetically. I invited some of the girls to pose for you so you could witness air conditioning Sprucelands style. Aren't they a pretty bunch?

One other footnote, today is Thursday and we canceled riding for the first day in years and years. The kids are sleeping in their cabins, then planning their talent show skits for tonight. There is also tye dying in the cool art room and canoe races in the lake. We are very, very fortunate that there is a STRONG wind. That is helping us stay cool and optimistic that the weather will give us a break soon.

Comments always welcome.