Giddy Up!

Eliza Grace was so excited that the last week of track out was finally here, as this was the week she would attend a 3-day horseback riding camp.

Prior to this camp, Eliza Grace's equestrian experience amounted to a couple of trainer led pony rides, so my expectations for camp were simple ones. We hoped that she would become comfortable around ponies/horses, learn the basics about caring for/feeding/grooming the animals and a little bit about the equipment and how to use it.

We were more than very pleasantly surprised that Eliza Grace learned all the above and much more. To say she is comfortable in a barn and around horses is an understatement. The first couple of days she got to ride English saddle, side saddle and bare back. She watched the farrier shoe a horse and the large animal vet treat a horse with a sore in his mouth. She listened and learned well and when I went to watch her ride at the end of the third day, I was very impressed.

She was very comfortable with the small pony, could get her pony to walk and trot, she could steer him (and weave in and out of poles), and was learning to post. Of course, she had a wonderful teacher and the sweetest of animals on which to learn, so I know that helped immensely!

After she finished riding, she led the pony back to his stall, helped to remove his saddle, etc., brushed him down a bit, fed him a couple of carrots for being such a good boy and then led him out to the paddock like it was something she had been doing for years.

"I love you, Rumor"
Heading to the paddock to chill out

"Come'on, Rumor...we're going this way"

It was like she was born to do this. Which is really cool...and has our bank account shivering :)

Major kudos to Ms. Chelly, a most excellent teacher and to Rumor, the gentlest of ponies.

We have committed to letting her attend a week-long camp this summer and will discuss actual lessons at some point in the near future.

Here is a little bit of Eliza Grace (and Rumor and Ms. Chelly) live in action:

The Flip

Getting some height...

And some momentum...

Here's the wind up....

Up and over...

The eagle has landed...

Holy Static, Bat Girl!

A Visit With Miss Kim!

I had a wonderful surprise call yesterday from our former nanny. Miss Kim (or Kimmie or Mimi as she is known around here) was in Raleigh for a conference and we arranged to have dinner with her.

The last time we had seen Miss Kim was when she came to Blowing Rock to spend a day playing with us at Tweetsie Railroad back in June, 2008.

Needless-to-say, the kids and I had a blast going to downtown Raleigh - or as Will called it "the big, big city where all buildings are all stuck together." I can only imagine what he will say the first time he sees New York City :)

We had a fun dinner at O'Charley's and Will found out that he really, really loves their "super yummy 'east rolls."

Unfortunately, I only had my i-Phone camera with me and the sun had gone down so the pictures we got were dark and blurry...but still cute!

We love and miss you, Miss Kim!!

The Anatomy of Lasagna...

...also known as "teach your munchkin how to make dinner at a young age so she can start pulling her weight around here."

Step one: brown some delicious sausage

Or ground beef...

Hey, get your paws out of there!

I told you it was hot! Tsk, Tsk, they never listen

Mix red sauce with meat of choice.

No, I do not make my own sauce.

I am primarily of Irish decent.

Potato and whiskey flavored sauce would not taste right in lasagna.

Although I am sure I can find someone who would disagree with that last sentence...case in point, Scott would disagree.

I ONLY use Barilla Marinara.

Let the mini-Chef deal with cracking the eggs

Mix beaten eggs together with Ricotta,
Mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses

As Alton Brown says, "Now we build."

First in the dish: plain sauce

Then the pasta sheets.

I do make my own pasta.

Wow, I typed that with a straight face.

OK, OK, I use Barilla Lasagna sheets, of course.

Then add meat sauce, Mozzarella, pasta sheets,
cheese mixture, meat sauce...

Hmm, getting tired are we?
We have two more layers to go, sister, so get a move on.

Are we done yet?

Ready to bake

Mangi!

Buono!

Continuing the Pop Art Conversation

While discussing Eliza Grace's recent foray into Pop Art, she asked if I had ever created anything that would be considered Pop Art.

As the answer to that one would be a big, fat NO, I decided to give it a try.

Not bad, if I do say so myself. Of course, it always helps to have a fabulous subject for ones art! Seriously thinking about having this printed and framed.

Pop Art Love

I love Eliza Grace's latest creation from art class at school this week. They are studying Pop Art.
As I recall, my elementary school art classes, waaaay back in the 1970's, consisted of making shapes out of play-doh and drawing stick figures - neither of which I did well!

Are You Ready For Some Commercials, uh, I Mean Football?

While we are not typically big watchers of sports on television, the Super Bowl is our yearly exception. Especially since our beloved Indianapolis Colts are in it again!

Yes, the five very loooonnnngggg, very cold winters - that often begin in late SEPTEMBER - living in Indiana converted me from the Redskins. When you do not see the sun for months at time you begin to cling to just about anything.

But I digress.

Getting into the spirit of things, I wanted to get some Colts shirts for the kids. Unfortunately, I was unable to find a single store in a 20 mile radius that had any Colts clothing - aside from the specialty sports shops that actually believe that someone would be crazy enough to fork over $75 for a child's size logo jersey. I am not that crazy.

So, I decided to stir up what little creative juices I have and have made my own shirts for the 5 kiddies that will be with us for the big game. Total cost for five t-shirts and fabric paint: $9.56.

The 3 boys shirts have a solid Colts horseshoe on the front and look pretty good, but I really like how the girls shirts came out with this sort of feathered, tie-dyed look. For someone who is not craft oriented and often lacks patience, I am proud of how they all turned out!

Looking forward to the game, the commercials, the 10 pounds of chicken wings that Scott will deep fry and getting pics of the kids wearing my hard work :)

Go Colts!

Here comes the sun...

..and I say it's alright.

"To Appreciate the Beauty of a Snow Flake...

...you have to stand out in the cold."

Edging Toward the Tween Years

Last weekend we had Eliza Grace's 8th birthday party. I think her choices were indicative of the fact that she is moving away from some childish ways and moving towards early adolescence: a horseback riding party...with a Scooby Doo themed cake.

Thankfully the weather was not too cold or wet and I think everyone had a really great time. There was a little something for everyone: pony rides, horse drawn cart rides (although it was really more of a seated chariot ride), turkeys that followed you around and pecked at the back of your knees, geese, ducks, peacocks, goats to feed, dogs...you get the picture.

After we were done at the barn, we headed back to our house for pizza, cake and presents. Afterward, Eliza Grace declared it the "best birthday party in my entire life!" Now that is something every parent loves to hear!

These proud fellas followed just about everyone around. Their gals stayed close to make sure they were not tempted to stray

If you gobbled at them, they gobbled right back...loudly!

Hmph..they gave me their rear view

They enjoyed pecking at Eliza Grace's reflective tag

on the back of her jacket. The girls were obviously excited about getting on the ponies. You can practically hear Ms. Ali saying,"girls, please do not run up behind the ponies."

Eliza Grace letting Chief check her out

Waiting to mount up

I wonder what tale Eliza Grace was telling here?

Apparently my girl knows how to pose

Heading out on the trail This is how Will patiently awaited his turn:

Aunt Heidi and Cousin Gretchen
heading out for their ride The cart rides were a big hit!

Then we took the gang back to our house for
the yummy stuff