Back in the Saddle!

So we finally got Hunter back on a horse and Haley on a horse for the first time! Hunter used to ride with us a lot when he was 5 months to 18 months until he started getting scared suddenly and wanted nothing to do with it. He loves helping Grandmommy in the barn cleaning stalls, and feeding the horses, but lately has been asking to ride again. We weren't sure if it was just tough guy talk or for real, but sure enough...not only did he ride again..but he rode by himself! He held the reigns and Grandmommy didn't even have to lead "Devo." We were so proud of him and he was all smiles. After a few minutes of riding he said "this is kind of like going on a hayride." Which Hunter loves hayrides so guess the horse must have been pretty fun for him to compare the two. This was at the end of Hunter staying at Grandmommy's for 2 nights. He's definately quite the farmer. He told me when I got there Saturday morning, "Mommy, me and Gee have been workin real hard being big farmers!" He completely knows the routine around there. He knows exactly how to clean the stalls where to take the horse poo afterwards, what to feed them, where it's kept, how to give it to them. He even likes to share their horsey stash of treats (apples, peppermints, and carrots). Saturday before noon he had already finished 2 apples while playing in the barn. He also enjoys playing in Grandmommy's giant sandbox (riding arena). He calls it the "barena." Haley on the other hand has not been offered any rides on the horses until now. We thought we scared Hunter somehow...so we wouldn't put her on one until she begged for it. Well she's been begging. She's recently fallen in love with her rocking horse. She also spotted the quarter machine horse at Toys R'Us a mile away and insisted on hopping on...only to get very upset that she couldn't make it rock or move. So cheap Mommy finally had to put in 2 quarters and make it move. She was like a princess on a parade float! Just grinning from ear to ear looking around like she was a queen. The last few times we've ventured out to Grandmommy's barn she gets so excited when she spots the horses. She reaches out for them, laughing and grabs their heads as soon as she gets close enough, pulls them in for a hug and a kiss, and sticks her fingers right up their big horsey nostrils. So Saturday was the day and she knew it. As soon as Grandmommy hopped up on Devo's back she immediately started the reaching, and whining to go up there. She loved it! Anytime Grandmommy stopped, she would try to rock or get the horse going again. She started fussing a little the first time we got her down, and then reached trying to get on another lady's horse as they walked by. She ended up riding twice with Grandmommy and once with Mommy. We'll definatley have to do that again soon with both kiddos! Well, hope all is well with everyone and hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving! We will be spending Thanksgiving with the Mitchell's at Aunt Diane's house not far down the road. Then watching the smackdown Thursday night! Friday we will head to Baytown for Thanksgiving with my mom...and maybe more horsing around. Then it's time to bust out the Christmas tree and outdoor Christmas lights! Hunter is so excited to help with all the decorations! It's so wonderful to watch the magic of Christmas unfold as they see it!!! Happy Thanksgiving!