We went to Orlando, FL last month for a family vacation. We spent most of our time at Disney, but there was one day that we had free time and Rich used that day to take Grace to the resort equestrian center for a horseback riding lesson.
Grace loves horses! She does not have regular lessons here at home, but we thought it would be so special for her to visit the horse farm and have a riding lesson while we were on vacation. It was worth every penny, as it made a lasting impression on her and will always be a wonderful memory.
I am much more high-strung than Rich (he is very laid back), so I asked him if he would just take her and it would be a special time for just the two of them. I was so very thankful that we had packed a pair of pants for her and she looked so cute with her little white blouse and her hair in two french braids. She was able to rent a pair of boots.
I gave Rich the camera, set to “auto” and told him to take lots and lots of pictures, knowing if he did, he would no-doubt get some really good ones.
I was thrilled to look through the photos when they returned, and listen to her tell me all about her experience.
So, while the boys and I watched re-runs of “I love Lucy” and played beachball-volley ball in our hotel room, Grace was doing this:
I really like this picture:
Is anyone having trouble with xanga this morning, or is it just me? I had to fight with my computer to get this post up! And blogging is normally so relaxing! **argh**
Anyway, I hope everyone has a good day. I am probably going to venture out with the children, we’ve been home a lot and they all seem to be getting restless. I am going to take them to Old Sturbridge Village, in Massachusetts.
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Here is a recipe for Orange Slush that I made last night for the kids (Rich worked late). We all liked it.
1 cup water
1 can (6oz) orange juice concentrate
1 carton (6oz) vanilla yogurt
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup cold milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
10-12 ice cubes
Combine everything but the ice in a blender and process unto smooth. Add ice cubes, a few at a time, until mixture achieves desired thickness. Pour into chilled glasses (yeah right, LOL); serve immediately.
This is the perfect amount for a mom and five children. David even had seconds.
Good to be Home 
I have been wanting to take my kids to Heritage Hill which seems like the same type of thing. Lately I have been dreaming of “old times” and life long ago. Old farmhouses are really intriging to me. We saw a house that was for sale, it was newer but made to look like an old Williamsburg colonial. It was so neat, it had heart pine floors and some floors were bricks and 3 masonry fireplaces. I loved the inside of the house put didn’t like the property, plus it was out of our price range. It was really neat to see though. If you can go somewhere like that with 5 kids, I should be able to go with ONLY 3!! Have fun!
Love horses. I am glad she had that experience and know she will remember it forever.
Orange slush…sounds super yum. I wonder if my mom has a blender. Actually, the question is, where is it? (enter twilight zone music)
Sweet pictures of Grace with the horses. . .how fun for her. The orange slushies sound delish. . .will have to try them with the boys. I am always on the lookout for healthy snacks for them and this definitely fits the bill. . .plus they’l think it’s so yummy that they won’t even know it’s healthy! Thanks for sharing. . .
Have fun on your outing. . .sounds inviting and quaint and very New-Englandish. . .
oh that is so neat, and I’m sure she was thrilled!! Anna spent the night with friends this past weekend, and they have horses, and the Mom gives riding lessons. She got to ride one, and she thought it was just the neatest thing!! I think her and Grace would have a lot of fun together~
Ahhh, wish I could go with you to the village ~ sounds like a fun day ~
Cute pics of Grace glad she got to do that what fun with Dad! Have a fun day with the children!
How exciting for Grace! Oh, can I go to Sturbridge Village too? I’m sure I would love it. (-:
Aww, she looks so cute with her hair done & riding the horse like that! He took some good pictures! It’s nice she was able to spend that time with just him & her to. We are going out to, grocery shopping I will have to make those slushies they sound good!
Yay! for Rich and his camera clicking finger!!! Grace’s hair is darling in those braids. I can’t ever get my girls’ braids that tight or smooth. Mustn’t know the secret, I guess! I’m sure this was a memorable experience for her!I love horses (well most all animals) and we got to visit our pony (we had to give him away – a long story) on Mother’s Day. He remembered me and my heart broke.
P.S. Xanga was VERY slow yesterday and is again this morning. It’s not you.
She loooks like she is enjoying herself so much. 🙂 That place looks like it has very nice facilities and georgous land to ride on.
My little one takes lessons every week. (Well we are take a month off right now because we are traveling across the US) She loves it so much that we have made a point to stop at “Horse Stuff” when ever we can. (You can take a look at the Quarter Horse Museum that we just went to a few post back if you want to. It is lovely. Have you been there?)
Sweet pictures. What is it about little girls and horses? I was the same way at her age!!! Maybe it is all those books written about little girls and horses…
The photo of her and her dad is precious. I love photo’s with my daughter with her daddy.
My mother inlaw lives in Kentucky on a horse farm. She has around 70 horses or so. Lilly loves watching them and though she hasn’t gone riding yet, she has sat on Bear (he’s very friendly and not energetic…) She was so proud.
There is such a feeling that you have when you are on a horse. I can’t explain it. I’m sure that Grace was in heaven!
Grace is a natural! Her posture is totally correct. What wonderful pictures of her special day! The recipe for orange slush is yummy. We can’t get orange juice concentrate here, so I will have to play around with it a bit.
Daddy and daughter times are so important. I’m glad they had this time together. Grace looks darling, especially leading the horse around.When Brianna went to visit Eric’s family in Florida, his little sister taught Bri how to ride a horse…bareback!
Great pics!
So sweet. Love these pictures of their time together.
What a nice time — going off with Daddy to ride horses! My mother always said that the best horse-back riders are girls — a horse is something a girl can control, while boys control trucks and trains and mechanical things. At all the horseshows here, the winners are always girls! Grace sure looks like a winner in these photos!
Sweet. (happy sigh)
Grace looks so graceful on that horse, she is a natural. The slush sounds delicious, I will have to give it a try.
Oh Shan! I’m so glad she got a lesson! I’m sure she had so much fun! If I lived close by I’d give her lessons on my Lily. Next time you’re in Afton I’d be glad to give a lesson if time permits!
she looks like she had a wonderful time! what a special outing with daddy too 🙂 a memory she won’t forget I”m sure ~the orange slush sounds good — one our favs to do around here is fruit shakes — anytime of year, anytime of day 🙂 We’ll have to give your recipe a try :)blessings ~
FuN. fUn.!!~ a girl after my own heart in loving horses. grew up w/ them. raised. trained. and showed them. it’s my dream to have one someday for my kids so they can enjoy all the wonderful things about having one…Grace looks like a pro. nice form on the horse – and she looks very relaxed and confident. I think it’s great as parents to help our children pursue their dreams~and her outfit is PERFECT!! 😉
Sounds like a lot of fun! I’ve had a couple bad experiences with horseback riding 😦
Ok I found the recipe:) It took alot of looking:)