All of a sudden (sort of) Abi is beginning to have a true interest in the horses. She has always been comfortable with them, being around the farm so much... but I feel like this interest is completely her own doing. She likes to run up to the barn by herself now, "just to check on the horses"... or "they might like a peppermint" and off she goes. But I have to say, that when she began to talk about "wanting to ride on Tonka".. I was a little surprised and of course, very thrilled. So, tonite we saddled up to let her have a try.
Now, Tonka is big enough when you are standing beside him, but getting up on there... well.. that is a whole different thing. Abi climbed on easy enough, but once she was up there, she wasn't so sure. So, I just had Tonka stand quietly and give Abi a chance to catch her breath and think this threw.
I got her to do some stretching, just to loosen her back a bit and take deep breaths, and begin to get the "feel" of being on a horse. Each time she did it, I could see her feeling more and more confident....
and before too long, she said that Tonka could move and we began walking around the pen. I have to say, he was so good with her on his back, they know... they're smart and I think he was being as careful as he could with Abi. I was proud of him....
Each trip around went better and better, and I told Abi if she comes and rides often, i will get her some riding breeches and some little boots... I think I will need to look into those soon.....
The true test of a "good ride".... you don't want to get off when it's done.....
After Abi's ride we did a bit of round pen work. Tonka hasn't forgotten his stuff... it's been ages since I have worked him like this....
He picked his leads up well, and moved so nice on voice command.... I need to take more time and work with him..... sometimes I let life take over too much and I forget how much fun this sort of thing is....
and for a heavy horse, he is very light on his feet.....
I think we have a future horseman here... I hope so, I used to love to watch Kassy and Sadie when they rode, and another generation would be just wonderful...
The barn swallows have kicked the babies out of the nest... this is their second group of hatchlings....This little guy was swooping around the barn and then found a nice big landing spot... on top of one of the fans.
I think he was pretty proud of himself to be making all those practice flights, and I know in just a day or so, he'll be off for good. But maybe he'll be back next year with a family of his own... I love having them around the barn... they are a huge part of the bug control!!!
happy flying little one......
I simply couldn't believe when I work up this morning and actually had "nothing to do"... no place to "be"....a morning to myself. It almost seems impossible!!! Double checking the calendar, I yes, indeed, had a morning to myself. So. I (nearly) ran to the barn... pulled out that wonderful big boy of mine....
and we went out for a drive. In all honestly, I don't know who was more happy... me or Duke. Tonka has been going out with Lucky on rides and poor Duke seems to be the one left behind. Once he was hitched he went out like, "look at me... finally my turn" and he was, of course, as good as could be.....
We drove around the farm, and up and down the road a little... I just wanted a nice quiet happy time, and that is exactly what we did. It was wonderful, and before this summer weather comes to an end... I need to be doing way more of this, even if I have to plan.. "a day to myself".......
"everyone" seems busy, it's a busy time... the hay fields are coming down quick, and I love going by and seeing the tractors at work....
you can find both square bales and round... I love how the cover the rounds up making them look like big marshmallows in the fields....
storing up for winter, being ready when those old winds are howling and the snow is flying... it must be a "new england" thing....
Here we are... in the blink of an eye, it's the fourth!!! With all the other spring projects we have been working on... we haven't even had a moment to get the docks in. So, with everyone coming to camp for the fourth, getting the docks in was the first thing....
Thankfully, we had a good crew to come and help. These docks are heavy and every extra hand is always appreciated.
Ed said the water wasn't too cold... we haven't had a very warm spring/early summer, so the lake is still cold. But, the day was warm, and it all went well... camp is officially "open" for the summer...
Kass, Nate and Reagan are spending the weekend in the back camp.... I love it when we are living so close together, and I can have them to myself all weekend. Reagan seems pretty happy to be here, but the word "schedule" will go right out the window... so, in some ways for Kass, it isn't as restful a time as it should be.
We try to keep him busy with all sorts of different things to do... and these big old tonka trucks are a huge hit...
It's nice to see neighbors Carol, Ralph and the boys. Just like "real" camp... these are the friends that we only see in the summertime.
The boys are so sweet, and Dom is particularly good with Reagan. I can see in just a few years, Reagan will be tagging along with these boys and wanting to do all the things that they do....
Camp is for everyone, and Joey is certainly having a great time. He loves, loves, loves swimming in the lake... true to his lab side!!!!
Waiting for the boat parade to begin......
There always seems to be a good number of boats, and it's fun to watch them going by... a fun way to begin the fourth....
and all boats are welcomed!!!!!
After the parade..it's swimming time. Abi is starting out where she seemed to leave off last summer. I noticed at first she had her swimmies on, and was just stepping off the ladder....
but it didn't take too long and she was feeling pretty good in the water once again...
and then... there it is... the first cannonball of the summer. She still went off the side of the dock, but I bet before the summer is done... she'll be jumping from the deep side...
Friends and family began showing up for our cookout. Sadly, like last year, the weather could have been better, but, it's the fourth, and a holiday.. and let's celebrate. This is Bruce... Craig and Katie's little guy... Camille was in love....
However, a few soft boards in the decking, brought things to a halt for a few moments.... they had to be fixed before someone steps threw......
oh well... one does what is needed... and again, we had a good crew on hand....
Naomi, Dom and Abi.........
A few showers brought the tent out.. I had wished it was sun that we needed it for... but the food was good, the company was fun and the fourth was celebrated in style....
The fifth brought better weather... and Abi was ready to go swimming the moment she got out of bed. One of the great things about camp... you can go swimming even before breakfast......
More cannonballs.......
Enjoying the sunshine.....
Hunter...
Trevor... they have always loved coming here... but I notice they spend more time laying in the sun... those days of crazy puppies racing about and jumping in and out of the water have gone by.....
Kass and Nate bought this big glider type plane, and had a good time tossing it in the air and watching it fly down to the water. One on throw it went quite a ways out in the lake. A canoe passing by happily picked up the plane and brought it back to shore... that saved Nate from some serious swimming!!!
Water balloon fight!!!!!
Camp is for fun and games!!!!
And then we heard "him".. that magical tune that brings kids (both big and small) running... the ice cream truck is making his rounds!!!!
What is it about an over priced (and really not that good) ice cream treat that makes it so special.....
Kids get tired at camp.... and after much swimming and racing about... a game of dominoes is a nice place to re group....
I just can't say how very very blessed I feel, to see these beautiful children in our camp... to have our amazing family all around, enjoying this wonderful place..... I never once will take all this for granted....
Such a great weekend..... the weekends ahead look pretty busy, but I hope we can squeeze a few more camp weekends in before the summer is done....
And I just had to post these photos of Hunter and Trevor... I think this was their first summer at camp....
silly boys...
