My Hero

Over this weekend our barn is hosting a Dressage Clinic, and with the influx of horses some of the horses/ponies that live there are living out in the field for the weekend. No big deal, right? WRONG!! Jilly has gotten use to giving out cookies (and sometimes special treats from home) to Friskey, Moose, "Old" Chester, "Boyfriend" Zeb, and New Chester. Well, these are some of the horses/ponies that get to camp out for the weekend. Friskey loves bread, and "Boyfriend" Zeb loves bananas. And wouldn't you know all of them were already out when got there on Thursday.

We went to the field and were able to give Friskey, Moose, and "Old" Chester some cookies, but Jilly had brought "boyfriend" a banana. I had just about had Jilly talked into letting Courtney and Lexi give Zeb his banana (there was NO WAY mommy was walking close to 150 yards carrying Cooper just to get there, hopefully be able to give him a banana and walk 150 yards back).

Just then Mr. Mikey told us that Zeb was in the small barn, also about a walk of 150 yards, but he was in a stall, and we could drive. So that's what we did...we all got in the magic van and drove over, and sure enough there was Zebby with his head hanging out of the stall. I got Jilly out, and she was so excited to be able to give him his banana.

The whole 45 minute ride home, all I heard was "I love Mr. Mikey, he's my super hero!" It doesn't take much to make her happy, and it was so worth it to see her give him his treat, and then to hear how much she appreciated Mr. Mikey was the icing on the cake!

All dressed up....

Back around Easter I bought Cooper a very frilly pretty dress to wear for her birthday. But since Mommy is very pregnant (and honestly a little lazy) these days, and Courtney practically lives out at the barn, we did not do anything big tonight. So I decided that we were going to have a mini fashion show to celebrate. Cooper had a blast and Jilly even got in on the action.

Tradition

Here is the picture of Cooper at precisely 8:25 pm July 22 on her one year birthday. It is very hard to believe that it has been a year already. I still can't figure out how the time goes so quickly. But it does, and we can do is sit back and enjoy their company.

Happy Birthday Sweetness

Are you hungry there Coop?!?

For the past few days, if Cooper is left in the play-pen for even 5 minutes she somehow manages to get her pants off. And to top it all off, she must have been hungry and in need of a snack. Thankfully I was able to get to the camera and capture the "hungry monster" in the act!

She pulled it out

After going 0 for 3 in the pleasure division (which is usually their bread and butter) Courtney and Moose went out for the Short Stirrup division and focused and came away with Reserve Champion. When asked after the show what was bothering her, Courtney told me that the PA system that usually pumps in classical music was getting to her. For what ever reason, Fox Chase Farm decided to change the radio station to 94.7 which we listen to, and Courtney said when a song came on that she knew it was very distracting to her. But she was finally able to block it out, and did all that we ever expected her do...try her best.

Where's Buggy?!?

Courtney has been sleeping over at Lexi's (aka the barn) and for the past 2 mornings as soon as Jilly wakes up she goes into Courtney's room to get her up. Courtney had a loft bed and Jilly stands no chance of being able to see if Courtney is in bed. So she just stands there and (nicely at first) starts to tell Courtney that it's time to come down for breakfast. Well, Jilly got so frustrated this morning that she actually started to bang on the wall, then she came down almost in tears and told me "Buggy's not whistling (that's how listening comes out of her mouth) to me Mommy, she won't come for breakfast time!" It was all I could to not to laugh at her while I explained that Buggy had a sleep over with Lexi again. To which Jilly replied " She needs to come home so she can take care of her aminals." Jilly was more concerned with all of Courtney's stuffed animals than the fact that Courtney wasn't here to play with her. I love the way the 3 year old mind works!

Noodle Nose

After (most) of us finish with our dinner, I take the dogs out so that the girls can put down dog food without being jumped on. While I had them outside, Cooper was still finishing off her noodles. When I came back in, Courtney had the camera in hand (like I said, my very own personal paparazzi) and was just cracking up. here is why.

Sandstone Show

Thankfully after having so much fun with a bigger jump course, Courtney went back to the Short Stirrup and was able to come home with the Reserve Champion. She and Moose also took Champion in the pleasure division. I was so worried that with moving up for the Warrenton show, Courtney would end up bored and not want to show or not pay as much attention on the smaller course. I think that she has come to the (grown up) realization that she only has to do the little course until Finals in November then due to her age she has to move up. She told me the other day "I think Moose and I need a little more time in Short Stirrup so we can talk (I really think she meant communicate) better and do the best job we can do. We need the practice." It astonishes me how grown up and mature she can be...sometimes more so then some of the adults I know!

Thankgoodness for digital cameras!!

OK, note to self...teenagers (well close enough) are the reason we went digital! Between Courtney and Lexi, there were over 100 pictures of the half hour firework show! I must say that Courtney does have a good eye, and I do love having an extra set of hands to be my "paparazzi" when I'm busy with one of the other kids in my hands. Maybe she has already discovered a hobby that she can turn into a career.

Twinkle

What would 4th of July be without sparklers?!? It is a tradition that I look forward to each and every year. I just love how much the kids get a kick out of writing their names, and just waving them around. There is nothing in the world like the look of awe and excitement on a child's face, and I am so very thankful to be able to be a part of that.