The children have started horse back riding lessons. There is a stable near by that we are trying out. We arrived at 1.15pm for our two hour lesson and the children were taught how to groom and act around horses. I had a hard time elbowing my 8 year old daughter out of the way so I could pitch in and help groom her pony so I commandeered Strawberry Shortcake and battled the two youngest for a curry comb and hoof pick. Those ponies were gleaming!! Then our instructor disappeared for a while so we brushed the ponies again... and again.. now they were positively shinning! I think we were the first family to have ponies cleaner than our house!

The insturctor came back before the ponies were transformed into hairless beasts and tacked up for us. Then out the children went with clear instructions to not let any of the ponies get too close because they all hated each other! and would kick and hurt each other if they got too close. I think next time I come I will bring our "if..then" chart so those ponies can learn the joys of  using gentle happy hooves :0)

To cut a long post short.. the children ended up with a two hour riding lesson. I think time is a relative term for our instructor but she is good and I loved how she had the children riding with out stirrups or reins to gain balance. It got a bit hairy when a few of the dogs ran out to join in the fun and J's pony started cantering and bucking.. he kept his seat even without stirrups.. all those Roy Rogers movies have finally paid off.

After the lesson they had to groom the ponies again and put away the tack, then lead their ponies to their stalls.. it was dark by the time the lesson ended and animals and children both were ready for a feed and bed.

It was fun hearing the children get up this mornig and swop stiff leg storeis and even funner watching them try to walk downstairs to school. Brought back good childhood memories of a day in the saddle for me.

Like any good mum I made sure we finished school early today so we could do some yard work before the rain came in. Then we headed for the paragon Gym. The children have been taking lessons there for the past two months. The first session was rock climbing, the second archery adn today was tumbling and trampolining. Just what you need after a day in saddle.

Our hens laid eleven eggs for us to collect today. I am giving them away and we are eating more scrambled eggs than I ever thought possable.. just what you need after a day in the saddle.

The leaves are off the trees and on teh ground. I need them off the ground and in my garden so we sepnt a good part of yesterday (before riding) and today (before gym) raking, mowing..re mowing and sprading mulcehed leaves on the garden beds. I am covering the leaf mulch with chicken droppings and lime and by the spring I hope to have bionic beds! My oldest son went before me with one lawn mower and I came behiind with a mower and leaf catcher. I tried the tractor lawn mower but it has this habit of dying half way through the job, it was true to form today so the hand pushed mowers came to teh rescue. it is good for team work and those leg muscles.. nothing like pushing a mower up adn down the hills to get the muscles working and blood pumping.. just what you need after a day in the saddle.

The children were fed and I headed off to our final foster class. It has been a tremendous experience learning the ropes of  the foster system. We are just waiting now for our finger printing to come back and we will be certified. Today we had a marvelous lady talk to us about teen communication and challenges. Just what you need after day in the saddle.

I have enjoyed the past few days on the "range" watching my children enjoy new experiences and work towards family goals and I am very proud of the way they have buckeld down to the hard work and play. One lesson I learnt a new from both the riding and the foster classes is.. when the horse acts up or life takes an unexpceted leap sideways.. make sure you are balanced in your seat, hold with what you have and if you are still with it after the experience give God all the glory.. after all He is the one who keeps you  day after day in the saddle.