Day at the beach...sort of

It's not the ocean but it's supposed to be hot all week, and I was dripping sweat just doing the barn this morning. So with nothing better to do the kids and I went to High Point State Park and went swimming in Lake Marcia. It wasn't too crowded when we got there then a day care camp pulled in! It got a little crazy for a while but the kids settled in and Tyler and Emily had a few nice kids to play with. The water was pretty warm and the kids had a great time swimming. When we were done we drove up to the monument and had a look around. It was pretty hazy so we couldn't see too far.

We went up the first set of stairs but I wasn't going to the top!

I did it once when Tyler was little and I actually carried him most of the way. Once was enough for me! When the kids are older some one else can take them up (Daddy!)

Maybe not...

Today the kids and I went to a local horse show. We often pack a lunch and eat it at the fairgrounds when there is a show going on. It gets us out of the house and we like to watch the different horses. They have all sorts of shows from breed shows, hunter/jumper, dressage and others. Today it was a hunter/jumper show and we were watching a small jumper class (which usually means some poor riding!) and Tyler keeps saying maybe next year he'll take Killian to a show and jump. He was really watching and I was explaining about the jump off. As we were watching, a cute, chunky little black and white pinto jump-off, he ducked out and the girl fell off underneath him and the saddle slid around his belly. It looked like she might have been stepped on and it took her a minute to get up. Tyler says, "Alright, I am NOT doing a jump-off!"

But it didn't deter him from riding. They both rode Killian again and we worked just in the big part of the ring and I moved some rails in for them to walk over. Emily went first and did really good, she even stopped Killian from trying to pull the reins out of her hands to grab some hay. She did a great job of getting him straight when walking over the rails. And when it was Tyler's turn she was giving him advice about getting him to the center of the rails!

Well, at least the kids get to ride!

The kids are really getting into riding! Today they wanted to ride Killian and Spencer. Well Tyler wanted to ride Killian the whole time but he did get on Spencer too and give Emily a chance to ride Killian. Thankfully Spencer has really settled down and is really good at letting the kids walk around on him.


It was Spencers first time actually being in a ring with another horse being ridden. Sound strange, I know but it's true. At first he couldn't take his eyes off Tyler and Killian!! And I had to keep them seperated because Spencer isn't that fond of Killian! Spencer behaved very well and Emily had a great time walking him over rails. They love going over the rails on the ground. Killian was also very good, but I think he was a little worried about Spencer being in the ring with him. But once again he didn't spook or do anything wrong. He even stood perfectly still for Tyler to get off all by himself with out any help.

Killian

Sorry no new pictures, I keep forgetting to bring my camera to the barn. The kids are really enjoying their new pony, Killian. He is being such and angel! He has yet to spook at anything! He doesn't really enjoy getting his tack (saddle and bridle) on but once it is on he is fine. Both kids have been able to ride him all by themselves. They are just walking but they can go all over the ring and he will listen to them. Today they wanted to walk him over some ground poles, well actually Tyler wanted to jump him! But I said they had to learn a little bit more first! Like trotting!!

Rider

Today Emily put her cowgirl boots on to ride the pony and as we were leaving the house she says: "If some one sees me they'll think I'm an offical rider!" Nevermind she had pink shorts on.

What a day...

it didn't start off too good. We found an injured deer and of course Curt was at work. I had to make several phone calls to even figure out what to do. I called, Curt, Animal Control and then the State Police! The poor thing was just off our path to the ring and paddocks. And I was in a rush to get the horses turned out and the barn done before taking the kids to the first day of swimming lessons. I managed to get the horses turned out by taking them one by one down the path, nobody even spooked and the deer stayed still when ever I passed with a horse. I waited until the Police got here to put the colt out because he would be nearest the deer and I knew he was going to be shot. The kids took it pretty well, but while all this was going on we were looking for our barn cat, Sweet Pea. She normally greets us every morning and when she didn't today I was worried. We have a family of foxes that have been taking out a bunch of chickens and other small animals. But thankfully she DID show up, even if she was a little late for breakfast!
Then it was on to swimming lessons! We were a little late and I never did get the barn work done before I left. The kids did really well, the started off right where they left off last year and even a little better. I think they should do really well this year and they both really love going. Oh, and an added plus, they swim at the same time! Last year they had to sit and watch each other and that made the lessons seem really long! Today the class seemed to fly!
I have to pack lunch because when they get out of swimming lessons they are starving! So we eat in the car on the way home! Then on to the library to sign up for the summer reading program (Tyler won a free ticket to the fair last year!). Next home for a little down time and then BACK to the barn to finish up the stalls and get the horses in a little early. We drove Kirsten (my brother' youngest) to Grandma and Grandpa MacMillan's and we stayed for swimming and Pizza! Tyler and Emily had a great time playing with Kirsten (I hope she had fun too!) Emily didn't even want to leave! I think if she could, she would have stayed too since Kirsten was there! Oh and Kirsten brought her hermit crab with her or as Emily would say her "herman" crab!

Okay, finally an update!

A lot has happened since my last update but I probably can't remember it all so I'm just going to start fresh. Oh, but first I want to say Rest in Peace to Brother. One of our barn cats got hit by a car about a month ago (right in front of us, and the people didn't even stop!)


He was a shy cat but always friendly with me and he had finally warmed up to the kids and was letting them pet him and Emily could even pick him up. It was very sad, he didn't die instantly and we were about to get in the car to go to the vet when he died in my arms. We still have his sister and thankfully she has always been smarter then him about the road and hopefully she will always be.
An now for what is happening well, now! The kids have a pony! A friend I reconnected with on Facebook had a pony she was looking to give away to a good home. He is a large pony that was a rescue from a horse auction and he still needs more training. My kids are not really ready to be riding on their own yet, so hopefully when they are ready, the pony will be too! He isn't completely green he just needs to know that he doesn't have to worry. And he needs work on his canter. But my kids are far from cantering anyhow! The kids already love him and Tyler made a picture to hang on his stall. And it is funny I wanted to get it because I thought Emily was really showing the interest in riding. And she is, but Tyler is the one who really wants to do things with the pony. He cleans the stall, picks his feet, brushed him and gave him a bath. He really wants to lead him by himself but we need to let the pony settle in a bit more. His name is Killian and he really is sweet with the kids. I just hope they don't pester him too much!