Picasso?

One of the ideas I had for Wes when the kids went back to school was finger painting.  I went out and got a giant pad of paper, and 4 bug tubes of colorful paint.  I was so excited for this craft/activity... thinking how very toddler and "pre-schoolish" it was.  Well. Our first attempt didn't go as planned.  Turns out Wes' aversion to dirty hands made FINGER paint a no-go.  He just wasn't into gettin' messy.  So, resourceful Mama, I got him a brush.  He then proceeded to paint all over. himself.  Sigh 

I've waited a few weeks.  Today we tried again.  And, I must say he did very well!  He wanted more and more and more paint...

Now, does it make me a bad person to think the paint plate tuned out better than the "canvas"

Cheer Captain

Savanna's Pee-Wee Football Cheer Squad has been back in action since the end of August... I'm just so slow these days getting things uploaded and posts done!  The girls are doing great, its been a fun season (not too cold yet!) and, note the black crop-top!  Savy made Captain!  I think the title is made even more impressive since the decision is made by a vote among the squad, not by the Coaches!  Not too shabby for a 2nd year Cheerleader!

While we have already had sign ups for Competition Cheer, we still have a handful of games left- I'm already done my required stints in the concession stand, so I get to kick back and enjoy the games!  So, better late than never- Noble Cheer Rocks!

Birthday Bill

Today is Bill's birthday, and while I try to make sure he knows how much he is appreciated on a daily basis, the celebration of his birth seems like reason enough to take time out to thank him for all he does!

I am so grateful that he provides in such a way that I can stay home- I love being a Mom, and giving that role my full attention is really important to me!  I might fuss and moan now and again, but I really do like what I do!  I try to stay grounded and not take what I have for granted.  We really do have everything we need (and then some!!)  I appreciate that while things might not always be done the way he would like, he is always appreciative of what I do.  I love that he is supportive of my trying to stay active with horses.  I love how much he loves his kids.  He makes me laugh, and makes me smile.  He loves me despite (or is it in spite of?) my faults and flaws... 

I am especially thankful of all the hard work Bill is putting into "my" barn at the moment. I know he would really rather be building himself a garage! It's amazing all the things he can do- I can't wait to see what the next year has in store!

  

We had a little lunch while my Mom and Dad were here this weekend, and I made a rich chocolate cake.  It wasn't the traditional angel food his Mom makes, but since his parents are away I thought I'd branch out, and we can have the real "Birthday" cake when they get home! 

I also had to include this picture of Mom in the hot tub- all the Grand kids wanted to go in after we had cake... so good Grandma that she is, she jumped right in! 

Early Fall

The kids are back at school and I am so much busier than when they were home for the Summer!  Wes and I have my barn chores, and he has swim on Monday, Music on Wednesday and we go to Story time at the Library on Thursdays... Then after school is a wreck with Savy in Drama at her school, and Cheer plus Olivia's riding and her drama... not to mention Girl and Cub Scouts... Any spare time is spent out in the barn, I guess my blog has been suffering, but I'm really happy with how everything is going: 

 Two of the main (exterior) doors are up, one more and we will be all buttoned up!  The tack room wall is in; one door (and cat door too!) and a make shift step.  The saddle racks and bridle hooks are up, and I have pretty much moved in!  We had a wash out with a stretch of rain we had, so one day was spent doing some damage control and landscaping.  All of that sort of "messed" up the arena site, so looking out there makes me sad, but I'll be happy not to have the aisle flooding.  Dad has been hard at work on some of the stone walls, and it looks amazing!! 

 With all the hard work I have to find time to actually enjoy the horses!  I have been having fun fox hunting Beau.  He has been great!  He seems to totally love it- he's almost a bit too excited in my opinion!  A while back we hosted a pace, and while the rest of the family toiled away to make the event happen, Olivia and I rode!  We joined up with a student of mine and a friend of hers, and the 4 of us had a great ride.  We were fast, and ended up placing 3rd, but it was fun for sure- and it was so nice to come out to the stirrup cup, and find the gang all there!

IEA Season Opener

 Olivia's IEA team has started back up, and she went to her first show a few weekends back.  She had a tough ride, on a tired horse who was hard to canter... she placed 6th, so did get a point... but maybe not the start we had anticipated!  The show was well run, and Wes and I enjoyed the day- plus Olivia loves anything she does with her team; I swear she would have fun sitting with her team all day and not even riding at all!  We got her new tall boots to start the season so her feet were a bit sore... but she rode thru and despite the pain (and having a cold too!) had a smile on her face all day long!

We have 4 or 5 more shows lined up, one is the first that the team has hosted alone.  That day should be busy for all of us but a great step for this team.  I'm looking forward to seeing what these girls have in store this season...

Good Egg

Old Hop Along or Oldie as she is also know is one of the best chickens around... a real "good egg!" 

Ok, Ok, so it doesn't hurt that she moves pretty slowly... but, she is a very tolerant old bird!

Medieval Weekend

Last weekend Savanna and I went with our Girl Scout Troop to a Medieval reenactment.  The event was Saturday, but since we didn't get a chance to go camping as a Troop this year we added an overnight at a campground into the plan!  It was a fun weekend; the girls learned a lot about Medieval times and we got to hang with some of our Scout buddies.

The event was held at Fort Knox in Prospect Maine.  It was a bit of a drive, but we left early and made good time.  We arrived in plenty of time to experience all the events they had planned, and also explore the fort.

I hope that as Savanna gets older, she continues to be interested in Scouting and all it offers.  Most of her best friends have fallen by the wayside in the past few years, but she still seems to enjoy the group.  I love that we get exposure to things we might not necessarily do otherwise.  I don't think a cross bow, throwing axes or chain mail would be on her radar otherwise!