First day of Freedom

The kids have been dying to go boating and since our CRAZY schedule hasn't let us get to our most favourite boating/camping spot we just loaded up and headed for the nearest water. It was a great way to finish school and start summer!

Ellie still doesn't love the tube but Penny was a little insaine- it makes me scared...

And please notice the sky-

They have been calling for rain- it never comes! 

It came- a lot- with hail.

The kids hid in the front of the boat and dusty and I took cover under the tube. It had a few leaky spots! (Understatement!!)

Andy did not enjoy being trapped or the noise!

We managed to get the boat loaded after it blew over us- but then we followed it all the way home. 

Good things it's hot today so it can dry out!

Lucy- our Triumphant Triathlete

I am so proud of Lucy!

Her school puts on a mini triathlon

And they give the kids the option of running it in a team

Or

Alone

And she did it solo!

She had a good swim

A fantastic bike ride

And she ran the whole way!!!

Way to go Lucy!

The Great will Fall

I knew eventually my streak would come to a close.

It started this morning with more aches than usual.

Then I got myself THE fever.

Now I found my dying spot- I am here for the duration.

Denial

I have a drawer in his dresser full of clothes that are too big for him....

These came out of that drawer.

When Ellie brought them too me

I told her they wouldn't fit

He is little

Too little to wear 24 month jammies

How did this happen?!?

That feeling

Last week we went to look at a horse.

We have been trying to downsize a bit but a trade was in the works.

The woman trading us warned of this horses really poor physical condition and before we arrived both Dusty and I were pretty skeptical. Neither of us wanted to trade a healthy horse for one that was going to kick the bucket.

We pulled in and both he and I did a once over- not good. But we drive all that way so we took him over to the arena. 

The ladies daughter jumped on and he did everything she asked.

Ellie got on and he slowed down even more and got softer- he did everything she asked. Lucy got on (which doesn't happen) and again he was a real gem.

Penny at this point was dying. She wanted on. I threw her up and she rode that guy all over the pen. When she slide down she asked if she could hold her horse. She sat and scratched and pet him and he fell asleep in her little arms. When it was time to go she walked him back to the pen and he obediently followed behind her. She was so sad we had to leave him there. My kids love horses and they love getting a new horse- it's exciting. This was different. 

Meet Douglas.

He is in pretty rough shape but we are all hoping with a bit of time and love this guy will be back to himself. Penny was so happy to have him here so she can take care of him. In a previous life he was loved and it took a bad owner to almost destroy him. The people we got him from have been doing a good job trying to bring him back and hopefully we can take him the rest of the way.

Rock-a-bye

It's a drizzly day

We bundled up and went out for groceries. Normally he likes a costco trip but today.... Not so much.

He came home tired and cranky and totally unwilling to sleep in his crib. 

Now he's passed out and I am afraid to move!

Andy's Sweater

Well I FINALLY got his sweater finished! Good thing in my "wisdom" I made it a size two! 

It is soft, cuddly, and going to be perfect for camping! 

Now I want one!

I found the pattern on Ravelry! 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/stormy-day-jacket

I love it!

Lots to Say

We have had such a great month. The weather has been so helpful in allowing us some time to get some things done outside. We have been out fixing up some of our pens and coop. We have been riding and cleaning up the shingles that blew off of the shop this past winter. It feel so good to have spring. To get out and not have to trudge through snow or muck.

This past week we got to go to a HUGE horse expo. It was so nice to get away from home. I love home but it has been very hectic- it was so nice to just focus on the clinics and what was happening around us in the moment. I was so surprised at the clinics. I totally enjoyed some that I didn't think I would of had an interest in like reining but then the ones I thought I was going to love- I didn't. AND then there was a competition of trainers. Three trainers- 3 hours- 3 different 2 year olds. Crazy good. One of the guys was AMAZING. Knock your socks off good.

I can home so motivated. We got our round pen all set up and we have been working with our yearling bullseye and I started riding Honey with a bit. The girls also came home with the bug. Dusty has been building us obsicles like a bridge and rope gate so that we can have a little trail course in the arena!

Penny's Day

 The most exciting part of a birthday is

EVERYTHING!

Penny has had her birthday bash planned for quite a while.

She wanted to go "camping"

so we headed up to a beauty of place.

It was snowing when we got there so we found

an enclosed camp kitchen with some fireplaces

which worked

perfect for her hotdog menu!

We roasted hotdog and ate chips

had some cake

and

all with our favorite people.

She loved it.

She got some candy

(I am not sure why we spend any money on gifts when it's the candy that is the most coveted!)

and some money

a new outfit

a warm and cozy quilt

and

roller skates!

A fantastic birthday.

Snow Distracted

I have been knitting Andy a sweater.

(It's been a long while....)

I keep getting side tracked 

It gets put down

And I find other things to do.

So yesterday as the snow started to fall

I pulled it out.

I have three rows to go!

And then buttons.

But

I am SO close!!!