What We Learned (May 25 Edition)

We're late the party today but that's OK. It's Sunday, so that means that we bring you a re-cap of the Mamas' weeks (and of course ask you to tell us what rocked about your week).

Robyn:
1. Having artificial nails totally saves a finger when grading cheese with a stand up grater. Sorry for the French manicure in the shredded cheese, family!

2. There's a lot of stuff in our garage that I never know we have. Tools, mainly. It's the man cave of our house. This week, not only did I learn that we have a car buffer, but more importantly that my hubby knows how to use it! I've never seen him wax a car until now. So, now that I know it can be done, I'll expect it once a week.

3. Giving up bread isn't all that hard. I've started eliminating it from all of our dinners. One: it's made us healthier. Two: we fill up on veggies. Three: the kids go to bed easier because they aren't filled with carbs and energy before bedtime. WIN WIN WIN!!!


Lisa:
1. It is a quiet weekend here! We are thankful for all vets: the ones who have passed on and  the ones still here....we are especially thankful for the Sailor and for MATH Robyn. We appreciate you.

2. I love to bird watch and today, I got my first Indigo Bunting!!!! That splotch of blue by my feeder:

Indigo Bunting!

 3. Cubby is growing fast! Kai, the wolfman, and Cubby have a serious bromance. Here is Kai babysitting:

Cubby and Kai

 4. My best lesson perhaps, has been watching the wonder of birth and nature through the eyes of Banshee. She loves looking at the new baby girl that her horse, Beauty, just had.

Belle?

Baby is unnamed still but Banshee calls her Belle. Appropriate, no?

 Liz:
1. Teaching Maymester (a 3-week, 3 hour per day course) is rewarding but tiring. We've only been together for  week but my students have created this group and the group is awesome. They challenge me mentally and I enjoy our talks. I will miss them when our class is over on June 5. But I will feel more relaxed and less tired I'm sure!

2. Mike and I drove to Austin, TX today to go to an awards dinner - I received a National Institute of Student and Organizational Development Excellence in Teaching award. It's nice to be recognized for the work I do, for sure. But it was an odd awards ceremony. There was a musical performance and she sang Katie Perry's Roar and asked us, a room full of awards recipients, to sing backup. Uh huh.

3. Two weeks ago Mike brought home a kitten. He's all black and we finally named him DC (not Marvel). He's a sweet boy. Our sons LOVE HIM. I was anti-cat until I saw just how much they wanted this thing to love them back. I'm fine with him until he wakes up at 5 a.m. meowing and wanting to play - dude literally comes running out of his room and starts batting at me and chewing my fingers playfully. IT'S 5 A.M.

What about you? Tell us about your week in the comments. We love to hear from our readers and see what they're up to.

A Girl and Her Horse

There is no joy comparable to the kind of joy you feel when a horse gifts you with his kind of freedom. The moment when he lets you into his world and for the briefest of glimpses, there is no distinction between horse and rider. They're one. A big powerful machine wreaking havoc on the landscape. I knew this kind of abandon from my youth and I felt it was time to teach this to my girls.

Banshee was up first. Because of her age and her condition, she would ride (for now) in a therapeutic sense. She rides a pony trained to be more patient and kind with little ones and with the guidance of an occupational therapist, the pony helps to teach life skills.

I was so excited for her. I wanted Banshee to not feel so awkward on her body. She might be built like a Viking but she's still 3! With a little hesitation, Banshee met Bob the pony. She said hello and he asked for a little pet before she got on. It was like magic. Banshee, who rode bareback, made an instant friend. They were an extension of the other for the hour they were together. She learned the lingo, did her stretches and exercises on the horse. Banshee and Bob got a treat, when they were allowed to trot fast in the arena. The smile on that child's face and the way she reacted to Bob the pony were priceless. In fact, Bob began listening and following Banshee's commands. The OT mentioned that Bob liked Banshee and that's why he was doing that. I guess Bob figured out that Banshee needed him and would be a good friend. I was a proud Mama, even more so when Cubby started to cry and stopped when the closest mare came over on her own to soothe him. He quieted right down.

A great first ride!

There's an old saying that animals and children know who they can trust. I was humbled by how these wonderful animals knew what my spawn needed. Nature knows what she's doing.

Next up on the saddle, Pixy. She went to ride closer to home at our local horse center. With a little anxiety, she put on her riding helmet and her paddock boots. She took a deep breath and walked to the arena. There she found her horse, who thankfully looked like Secretariat, whom she's loved since she was a baby. She politely said hello to her horse and tentatively, stroked his nose. Pixy looked so small next to her mount, that for a moment I thought to myself: maybe this is too early. I chased that thought away as soon as I remembered my childhood and my family's love for all animals, especially horses.

Turns out, Pixy just needed a minute to get to know her horse and they were both fine. She moved on her saddle and held the reins as if she was born with them in her hands. A few times around the ring and you could hear her happiness. The grin she had on her face was truly priceless. Pixy loved her horse and she kept hugging him, talking to him, and learning what he needed from her. It was magic. They both did wonderfully and the confidence that Pixy had been lacking these past couple of weeks came back in  no time. Her instructor praised her spirit and obvious interest in the horse: "you took good care of him while he was with you. That's what makes a good rider. You have to care about your animal."

Happy rider!

It's a legacy that I'm sure my great-grandparents would be proud I've passed on. Treat all living things with respect, take care of your partner animal or non, and be happy. Yeah, I think both girls have this down. We cannot wait to continue down this new road with our chins up and moccasins pointing forward.

All this horse love at our camp made me think of this poem I'd read a while ago. Truer words have not been spoken:
My horse's feet are as swift as rolling thunder
He carries me away from all my fears
And when the world threatens to fall asunder
His mane is there to wipe away my tears.
~Bonnie Lewis




Have you introduced your children to an activity that you were fond of as a child? How did it turn out? Let us know by leaving a comment below!