Spring Pictures

Mollie had her pictures done recently. Thanks Third Floor Studio, Photography by Leah Martin for always doing great work!

Fishin' and Fetchin'

Mollie had her "favorite" friend over after school the other day, it was just going to be for a few hours and Jerry was going to take the kids fishing down at the pond but they didn't head down there until after 6:00. They fished for a little while and both caught a fish each. I went down to see how they were doing and Yellow Dog came along. Jerry wondered if he would chase a stick into the water so he threw one out and we laughed while Yellow gingerly walked into the water. However, it wasn't long before he was jumping and swimming (he's a lab)out really far to get sticks. He would grab them, swim back, get out and shake all over the kids while they squealed with delight. They had the best time throwing more sticks for him. We ended up staying down there until about dark. Mollie's friends' parents probably thought we weren't going to return their child! Needless to say Yellow Dog and the kids both slept well that night!

Now I know why my mom would always cry when she saw my sister or I marching in the flag corp or band. The immense pride wells up and the tears along with it. I was beaming proud of my daughter yesterday for two reasons. She had her riding lesson on her horse for the first time and was quite excited. After getting him saddled and ready to go, her trainer had her walk him some. She took him down to the other end of the arena, and, like a pro, went directly through the "cowboy curtains". Cowboy curtains are a "wall" of fabric strips hanging from a frame that the horse has to walk through. This is basically every horse's worst nightmare until they learn there is nothing to be afraid of. Butterscotch walked right through like he'd done it a hundred times. Mollie was so pleased with him. She came back, got on and proceeded to spend the next 45 minutes riding. She walked, trotted, backed, went around cones and even rode through the cowboy curtains several times even though her trainer never told her to. The trainer the entire time telling her to turn right or left and her doing it. This is amazing to me that a 4 year old remembers her right from her left, I can't remember half the time! I was very proud of how she listened and how much she learned. The second reason I was so proud is her "no fear" attitude. This attitude really showed through toward the end of the lesson when Butterscotch decided to shake. He put his head down and Mollie flew forward, saddle up in the air and dropped the reins. Her paranoid mother quietly freaked out and started to run to her (I couldn't help it, she's my only offspring!) then the trainer ordered me to stay put and got her set back up and on her way. The amazing thing is she never said a word, it didn't even phase her! Well Butterscoth must have been itchy because no sooner she had got on her way he tried to lay down. The trainer averted it but 2 minutes later he did lay down. I saw my child's life pass before my eyes (actually her little tiny twig of a leg that was dangerously close to getting smashed) as I watched Butterscoth think about rolling. This time I stayed put, the trainer ran and made her stay in the saddle. She kind of whimpered and said "I don't like this, I want to get off". The trainer said no, had her stay put as he got the horse up. When they were up he had Mollie continue riding a little ways and then made him back up. My friend and I made encouraging comments to her and her scary moment was a thing of the past. I am so proud of her "buck up" attitude. She is a breath of fresh air. I know if it were me I'd have been outa there! She finished her lesson wanting to walk him through the cowboy curtains again and spent some time smooching and hugging on her pony, excuse me horse. She's quick to correct anyone that refers to him as a pony! "He's not a pony he's a horse!!!" To give you a little insight as to the temperment of this horse, the trainer said he wondered if he would stand on his hind legs. He picked up his front hooves and placed them on his shoulders. Butterscotch didn't care. Maybe he's a keeper, trying to roll and all!

Oh, by the way by the time we got him home and "put away" she had gone from, "I didn't like it when he laid down" to thanking Butterscotch for doing his "laying down" trick, "it was fun!"

All Shined Up And Ready To Go!

Mollie has spent the last month learning to ride bareback on "Knothead" and then my horse, "Missy". Because she has done so well the last couple of lessons (on Missy, which thrilled her to pieces), her trainer decided it was time to start on her Butterscotch under saddle. Mollie is SO excited and spent this evening getting her saddle all shined up for the big day tomorrow. I plan on getting lots of pictures!

Too Cute For Words

This little guy hit the ground this morning right before I left to take Mollie to school. I don't think they get much cuter than this...from the looks of things the heifers think so too!

First Baby of the Year

We had our first baby of the year last Friday. Peaches held out for better weather and Friday morning "Murphy" was waiting for me when I went to the barn. Mother has kept him in the stall out of the wind and rain the past couple of days and I'm sure they are as anxious for better weather as I am!

Leverage Pics

The kids were dressing up in Mollie's dress up stuff and being silly. I grabbed my camera and bribed Zack with the chocolate chip cookies we made in order to get a picture of the soon to be 15 year old in little girl dress up clothes! He was terrified it would be put on my blog! HA HA HA, here it is!!!!!!!!!! Now I have these pictures and can use them to my advantage(insert evil laugh here) (wicked Aunt that I am!).