Like I have said, I am not the biggest horse fan in the world. They freak me out a little more than a little.. but not as much as they did 2 riding lessons ago. Yesterday, she had her second riding lesson. Luckily I didn't have huge knots in my stomach on the way there. I was pretty excited to see her up on that beautiful creature again. Before I knew it, she was done brushing Grand and up on the horse she went. It was refreshing to see her more relaxed and talkative this time. She knew what to expect and she had way more confidence this go around.
hello Grand! (He was a sleepy horse today)
she rides without holding on!!
not really, they played a game sort of like simon says.
It taught her to be relaxed and comfortable on the horse.
You are 5 and a HALF now and it is crazy to think that you are closer to being 10 than you are to the day you were born. Only 6 months closer but still. It makes my heart jump in excitement for what the next few years will bring but also makes my heart cringe in pain thinking how I can no longer say I have a little one. You, my child, are not little anymore.
So what's been going on in your life for the past few months? Lets start off with the big events then follow with a few minor details (which are just as important)
You lost your first tooth about 2 months ago (the end of December). You were amazing when it came to pulling it out. I figured you would be all "normal" about it and cry or worry. Ok, you did worry. You were afraid you wouldn't be able to eat without a tooth. You actually didn't sleep good the first night thinking about having a hole in your mouth. Luckily for you, your permanent tooth started coming in before you lost your baby tooth. Here it is 2 months later and your tooth is over half way done growing.
You had your first riding lesson. It sure was amazing to see you sitting on the huge horse leading your way in and out or the blocks lined up in the arena. You looked like a (nervous) little pro sitting up there with your helmet on, pulling back to stop the horse or squeezing your legs tight to make her go. I can't wait to see you ride during the next 3 lessons.
You were chosen as Home Coming Princess by your class along with your best prince Eli. You walked down in your beautiful dress, holding the crown for the soon to be announced queen, with your hair down and your dress just sparkling in the dim lights. Stunning my child, you are simply stunning!
You had your second haircut except this time, it wasn't just 7.5 inches. You cut off over 12 inches! So, you now have short hair for the first time since your were 2 years old. You look amazing by the way. I do miss your long hair. I miss the stares of people in public as they gazed in jealousy that you were able to have golden locks to your butt. BUT, I love the new look. I feel like you are a different person. Well, maybe not a different person, you just seem older. I just stare at you in disbelief that you are so amazingly beautiful. Honestly, from the day you were born, I have stared at you like that. In awe that something so beautiful on the inside and out can belong to me.
You climbed a tree for the first time a few weeks ago. You didn't climb high but you did climb it.
You fed baby Char for the first time. It isn't the first time you fed a baby becuase you use to feed Pax when she was little but you were only 1 years old. Does that really count? I don't even think you understand Pax was real. Char though, you know she is real. You didn't just feed her one time.. I am pretty sure you fed her 5 times! This is a huge deal considering when she was first born (3 months ago today) you were scared to hold her.
You now chew gum. Up until about a week ago, you did not like gum. I don't like gum so there was never any pressure but that has now changed. You change gum about ever 10 seconds saying that it "lost it's flavor" but you chew it. I think you had gum in your mouth for about an hour the other day. We are now working on blowing bubbles with the gum. It might take a while since you don't seem to grasp the concept very well.
A few smaller things that I want to note in here is how big you have been acting. {yes, you have your "normal" moments of crying, whining, stomping your foot, attitude, and a little bit of back talking} All in all though, I have been impressed. Saying Yes Mam, doing as you are asked, cleaning your room, even making mine and dads bed randomly.
So she says..
The past 2 weeks you have been on a roll with words.
Asking dad "which one do you prefer"
telling me "that is a very interesting thought Mom"
To sum all this up, at 5 and a half.. you are astonishing, wonderful, and full of change. Growing up right in front of my eyes. I want you to know that I notice it. I see it all. I am aware. I am not letting all this pass by without paying attention. I savor the moments of you being little (as you crawl into my lap in the morings, lay your head on my shoulder, and sit in peace and comfort) but these moments of you growing, they are surprising and enjoyable (90% of the time). I can not wait to see where you are in life, who you are turning into, and experience more firsts/new over the next 6 months.
As some of you know by now, today Chica had her first riding lesson. She was nervous and excited prior to the lesson. She loves horses and has always said she wants to learn to ride them. Thankfully, N&G bought her lessons for her birthday. I say thankfully because, as stated in my post from yesterday, horses freak me out and I am not sure if I would have purchased her lessons.. (although I know Zak would have) I did great she did great! She loved it. She was her quiet self but that is her normal.
Let me say this, she was impressive!! I am very proud of her. She got on that beautiful horse and did her thing. The lady that taught her was wonderful. She explained things very well and made the lesson interesting for a 5 year old (and a 27 year old) Playing things like green light red light for learning to make the beautiful horse go and stop.
We both are very excited for her next lesson.
Picture and video time!!
This is Grande.. isn't she beautiful
The lesson started off learning about horses, where to stand, where she can and can not see, brushing them, putting the saddle and such on, cleaning dirt from the hooves, brushing her tail, and anything else you can think of. Then it was time to go for a ride!
This is Chica mounting Grande for the first time!
After mounting Grande, she learned about making the horse stop and go. Then she learned all about how to steer the horse in the direction she wanted Grande to go.
Look at her zig zagging by herself with Grande!!
The lesson was an hour long. I would guess she spent 40 mins on the horse. The lady way great. She trusted chica and the horse together more than I did. By the middle of the lesson, Chica was leading Grande around the arena without the lady standing next to her. She followed them but wasn't as close as I would have thought. Chica did the majority of the leading, steering, stopping, and go-ing (is that even a word?) by herself. Like I said, I was super proud of her!! She even rode Grande forward, sideways, and backwards!! Picture above on the right is backwards!
N&G gave her them for her birthday. The first one is tomorrow afternoon. Exciting you say? Yes, I agree.. want to know how I really feel when she isn't around?
I am nervous.
Ok, I am scared, terrified, anxious, and whatever else you can come up with. I am excited for her because I know she will love it but as for me. I did not grow up around horses. I grew up around fish.. fishing, ocean, sand, boats, even the occasional alligator.
HORSES? yea, not so much. Look at them, think about them, they are big.. really big.. and pretty much freak me out when I am close to them. I don't really pet them. I just watch them in awe of their beauty as they run far far away from me in the field surrounded by a fence. When we do have the chance to approach one.. we as in me standing there holding Chica's hand as she excitedly points at the approaching horse. I don't let her know I am freaked out. I take her up to them, she pets them.. I may give them a little pet or a pat. The entire time thinking.. please don't get spooked, please to eat my hand/hair/face/child, please don't make any sudden move that is going to make me feel like you are about to turn around and kick me in the gut/face/child. She honestly has no idea what so ever that I feel this way. If you ask her we (as in her, myself, and dad) love horses. When she ask me if I like them I always say of course. When she says she wants one, I always say me too. When she ask if I will take her to pet them or to ride the pony at whatever event we are at with a pony, I say absolutely.
I am pretty sure I am the only one I know that doesn't trust these big huge creatures. I have been horse back riding.. well, I have been Trail Riding. one time for sure.. maybe two times. It was ok. It was pretty neat riding on the back of a huge horse, alone, following other horses, while they stopped to poop or eat some plants on the trail. The scenery was great as well. I would, for sure, do it again.
So, with all this said.. I am very very very excited for her. She is going to be fine, she is going to love it, and I can not wait to see her eye light up when she is on the horse.. the really huge horse.. Thankfully, N&G are going with us. THANKGOODNESS.. they love horses.. heck, they owned horses.
So wish me luck for tomorrow. I know it is going to be wonderful. I am not worried about it. Just a little freaked out. I guess that's what being a mom is all about though. Hiding and pretending something is awesome when in reality you would run the complete opposite way without looking back.
side note: I knew she was getting this for her birthday. N&G asked me if I was ok with it and if Chica would like it. My answer came without hesitation.. yes yes yes!!
