It's SHOW time!

Maggie was four and a half when she took her first horse lesson. She's been watching the big girls get ready for shows since and dreaming about when it would be her turn. On April 15th, she got her chance! She was SO excited, for the weeks leading up to the show she spent almost every day in the barn working with Honey. She practiced and practiced. We all learned a lot. Horse shows are an "all hands on deck" kind of event. Horse show people are the kindest most helpful people I've had the pleasure of meeting. Everyone shares, everyone helps, you hold whatever is horse is closest to you, you help whatever kid needs their chapps zip, zip them, she brush whatever horse (or girl) who needs a brushing, you work as a team....they might compete in the ring but they are great friends and encouragers outside. It was really fun to be a part of and I look forward to the years of weekends in the dirt to come.

 

Honey needed a good vacuuming :)

 

lots and lots of practice!

 

We left for Bloomfield at about 6am....I'm not sure what time she got up....but it was early!

 

Out of the trailer she comes....

 

More practice! Maggie was among the first in the ring to practice and the last out.

 

All spiffed up and ready for Showmanship!

 

 

 

Her first class was Showmanship. It's working through a pattern on the ground with your horse. There are cones and a set pattern around those cones.

 

 

 

...then at the end you stand for judging.

 

Maggie got 2nd place! There were 13 horses, she was so proud of herself!

 

Then it was time to add a saddle and chapps to the ensemble!

 

Next up was Walk-Trot. The judge gives instruction while you're moving. They want you to move consistently and direct your horse.

 

This one earned her a First Place Ribbon!!!

 

Next up was Western Pleasure. This one is a predetermined pattern you work through on your horse.

 

 

...and ANOTHER 2nd place ribbon!

 

The final class was Horsemanship....which is about how your horse moves in the ring...and while I didn't get a picture of it, you can see she earned a blue ribbon in her last event. Maggie and Honey had a great day....we prepared her ahead of time that she probably wouldn't win any ribbons and that the day was about us all learning what to do....boy did she prove us wrong! She was so proud!

 

No matter how many ribbons you win or how great of a day you have....you still have to haul water and scoop poop! Might be what keeps horse show kids so humble :)

Haddie's 1st Birthday!

I feel a little guilty about Haddie's First Birthday. The good news is she won't remember it :) Haddie's Birthday was the night before Maggie's 1st horse show.....and we needed to spend the evening getting Honey and Maggie ready to go. So Haddie shared a Birthday dinner in Omaha with Gracie the weekend before her Birthday and a had Birthday lunch at home on her big day....then we shipped her off to Grandma & Grandpas and went to the barn!

 

 

 

Love the baby!

 

 

 

 

 

 

By her next Birthday she and this room will have changed a lot!

 When Haddie went for her 1 year checkup she weighed 27lbs 7oz (99th percentile) and was 31" tall (95th percentile).



Happy 1st Birthday Haddie.

Dear Haddie,
I'll probably say this every year, but I really can't believe you're one already. The time seems to move faster every day. You can't imagine how much I love you. You were the baby girl that I so desperately wanted but didn't know if I'd ever get to have. It seemed like we waited forever for you, in hindsight you came at exactly the right time. I can't imagine our family without you. You were such an easy baby, you were happy to be hauled along wherever your sisters need to be. You were on the sidelines of a soccer game before you were a week old and you've spent more hours in a barn then some cowboys.

You adore your big sisters even when they're swinging you around by one arm. I've waited all year for one of them to really get mad at you, it hasn't happen. They love you as much as you love them. You love to be outside. Currently the swing is you FAVORITE thing! You were slow to decide you wanted to eat but now that you've caught on, there isn't much you don't like.

Much to Gracie's dismay, you hate shoes! Hopefully it will warm up soon and we can quit fighting about it. Before we know it you'll be walking, you do lots of standing but aren't ready to take a step. You crawl really fast and if you whine enough one of your sisters will carry you anyplace you want to go....so there isn't a lot of motivation to take off. Your favorite thing to say is "uh-oh" and as soon as I walk into your room in the morning you say "Hi" (usually "Hi dad"....but whose keeping track). You love music and dancing. Sometimes I swear you're singing a song.

I love watching your personality develop. I think you are going to be a little shy, quick to laugh and make others laugh and maybe just a bit ornery, but we'll see. Whoever you are becoming, I know she'll be special.

I'm so lucky to be your Mom. Happy 1st Birthday Haddie Lea.
I love you-
Mommy.

Gracie's Birthday Party(ies)

Gracie was so excited to turn 6!

 

 

 

She didn't have much on her Birthday list, but she did want tensous :) (tennis shoes)

 

 

She took Kitty cookies for her Birthday Treats at school.

 

She wanted to have a horse lesson, eat dinner at Pizza Ranch and have ice cream cake. It was her day, so she got all 3 wishes!

 

For Gracie's Birthday Party, she wanted everyone to wear pajamas, get their toes painted and watch a movie. We had a couple of high school girls come and do all their toes, I think she loved it. Gracie didn't want her friends to bring presents, I think she really didn't want to be the center of attention while she opened them all. Our first idea was to have all the little girls bring a pair of flip flops for an exchange, Gracie quickly remembered that one of her friends wears special shoes and may not be able to wear flip-flops....Gracie has a heart of gold. She would never want anyone to be left out, kids flock to her and she makes friends everywhere she goes....I think her kindness has a lot to do with it....anyway, we decided on sunglasses. The girls all loved the sunglasses!

 

 

 

 

 

Gracie got to have one more Birthday party in Omaha! She requested Grandma make meatloaf and chocolate cake :)

 

 

 

I think Gracie had a great Birthday. I can't believe she's 6 already, I love watching her personality grow and change. Before we know it, we'll be hanging up 7 balloons.