I caved in, I didn't ban flip flops after G. lost one in the river last summer.

And as much as this pains me to say, I need to learn - and re-learn - some lessons just like the kids.

My re-learning scenario:

Crossing the river that was flowing much faster than usual to get to our favorite place to swim (recent thunderstorms in NH made the river flow faster yesterday).

This was the crossing last week. This week it was about a foot higher and flowing faster - but not unmanagable for us to cross.

"Mom, my flip flop. It's floating away!"

"Holy crap! What are you doing wearing flip flops here AGAIN?" (I hadn't noticed she even had them on.)

"Mom!!"

"OK, go swim and get it. You're going to get wet anyway."

"Mom!!"

"Then let it go. Whatever. I'm not chasing it honey. You knew better because you lost a flip flop last year."

After thinking it over for a minute she swam, caught the errant thing and with a big smile on her face, got out of the water on the other side of the rocks.

Then while at the same crossing on our way back to the car L. yelled, "Mom, my sandal! It fell off!"

I managed to grab her jelly sandal off the rocks near my feet before it floated away.

Note to self: Ban ALL Almeida footwear from crossing the Saco River. I think I got it this time.