Yesterday was Alex’s 12th birthday. On Friday evening, he got to have a few friends spend the night. For that age group, it basically means lots of time playing video games and watching a movie. The boys stayed up late and got up early. On Saturday evening, he requested pizza for his birthday dinner, so we went to California Pizza Kitchen at Foxwoods. Alex almost fell asleep in the back seat on the way home.
Alex contemplating 12 candles
Alex blowing out the candles
Alex deep in thought over a Dr. Pepper. Or just really tired.
Amanda posing with her stramberry lemonade
This morning, it was pouring rain. After morning chores were done, I spent some quality time in the garage organizing and cleaning. Then, later in the afternoon as the showers cleared, Alex and I went to the range to do some shooting. We had the place to ourselves for the 2 hours we were there and we had a great time. He really enjoys shooting his rifle.
Alex shooting his Ruger 10/22 with Archangle stock
Alex shooting a Ruger SR-22
Alex shooting a Sig P-238.
Once we got home, I groomed Mystique and snapped a few new pictures. It was hot and humid, and I was tired. We can ride tomorrow after work.
It’s been 2 weeks since I posted. It’s not that there hasn’t been anything going on, but rather, we have been so busy I’ve been too tired to sit down and write.
On May 16th, we had the CT State 4-H Horse Show. 6 kids from our club, the Barnyard Buddies, attended and had a great time. Vicki managed to win the walk-trot division and the 18″ hunter division. On the 17th, our club participated in PetTopia in Jewitt City.
Monday, the 18th was Amanda’s fifth birthday. We had a small family party Sunday evening before my parents (who had been in town for the previous 2 days), left with all 3 kids and our travel trailer Monday morning. They took a trip to Steamtown, PA and had a great time. I don’t have any pictures because I stayed home with Anna.
A friend who knits made Amanda a “big pink stocking” in accordance with her repeated requests.
Of course, while they were gone we got some good trail riding in on Dakota and Mysti. We have found a nice 6 mile loop for conditioning the horses. We also have a 4 mile loop and occasionally even ride in the arena.
This weekend, the weather was amazing. Since I had both Friday and Monday off work, we did a family trail ride on Friday (6 mile loop) with everyone geared up for the first hunter pace which is 2 weeks away. Never try something new on race day! The plan this year is Vicki and Anna will ride in the slower division and Alex and I will ride in the middle division. So, today, Alex and I went out and ratcheted up the speed. Dakota and Mysti are an amazing team on the trails. Dakota is a rock star in the lead! Mysti has found her confidence and is very sure-footed. She isn’t ready to be a leader, but we will work on that later in the summer. We logged about 20 miles in the past 8 days, so her conditioning is progressing nicely! When we got back today, Vicki hopped on to cool her off in the arena.
Sunday was Amanda’s “A Very Hungry Caterpillar” birthday party.
This afternoon, Anna and I worked on planting more in garden – this will be our biggest garden yet. Anna also spent about 4 hours teaching lessons in the arena today. After dinner tonight, Amanda insisted that we have a Memorial Day party, so Vicki and Amanda did an impromptu performance of dog tricks with Turbo and Mack.
Luckily, I go back to work in the morning so I can rest up for next weekend!
After Vicki finished her home work this morning she begged me to help her make some blankets for her Breyer model horses. So we used some left over fabric from the pillow case project and some bias tape and sew on velcro to make some fabulous blankets. Vicki did ALL the sewing. I helped with some of the pinning and taught her how to make a pattern. She’s really happy with the outcome.
Christmas this year was a small affair. No familiy visiting from out of town, and no where we had to be. On Christmas Eve, we joined the Smith’s, owners of Cedars of Lebanon Farm, or their annual Christmas Eve brunch. It has become a holiday event we look forward to. The fact that their daughter Natalie is in culinary school and uses the brunch to showcase recipes doesn’t hurt.
After we got home, Vicki set to work baking the cookies for Santa, sugar cookies with a pepermint glaze are the appropriate recipe.
Amanda is taste-testing Vicki’s recipe
Pepermint glazed sugar cookies for Santa
That evening, we headed to North Stonington Congregational Church to see some old friends at the evening service, and then back home for a traditional Swedish dinner that Anna put together. We had meatballs with cranberry sauce (she couldn’t find lingonberry jam locally), ham, potatoes, pickled herring, pickled salmon, and pickles. Afterwards, the kids got to open 1 present, plus their new pj’s from Grandma and Grandpa. A fire in the fireplace seemed like a good idea, but as the evening progressed, the temperature outside climbed to almost 60F. Turbo joined us fo the reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.
Opening a Christmas eve gift
Kids in their new pjs
Kids in their new pjs
Reading ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
We told the kids before they went to bed, no presents would be opened on Christmas morning until the animals at had to been checked on and horses fed hay. The rest of the chores would be deferred to later in the morning.
At 7:30, the kids came into our room to wake us up. The horses had been fed their hay and Alex had actually completed all his morning chores. Vicki went to make a pot of coffee for us while we got ready to join them for presents.
Santa brought Alex noise cancelling headphones
Turbo likes his new bed
Vicki likes Turbo
Alex opening a gift
Alex studying his new Lego book
Vicki showing off her new scarf
Amanda playing with her Breyer horses
More presents to open
Amanda with My Little Ponies
Amanda with her fully stocked “Rescue Pack”
After opening gifts, the kids got to play with their new toys. Since it was in the low 60s, Anna and I decided to head outside and spend 6 hours on a fencing project. We significantly collapsed the goat paddock and gave a most of the back property to the horses. By the time we came in well after dark, we were ready for a simple dinner of farm fresh eggs and bacon.
We were also surprised with a very nice gift from some friends and found the perfect spot for our new addition in the kitchen.
Today was spent loading hay in the barn, loading shavings, riding horses, and time at the gun range. Merry Christmas from our family to yours, and have a Happy New Year!
Anna’s parents, Roland and Sylvia have been visiting for Vicki’s birthday and Thanksgiving. Now that the turkey leftovers are almost gone, Anna started getting out decorations and Sylvia made gingerbread with the kids. Swedish gingerbread cookies are much thinner than American style. And the flavor is different, including cardemom, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.
Today was Vicki’s 9th birthday. She left with Anna early this morning to go to the Big E in Springfield MA for a dog show with Turbo. There was a special 4-H class: Vicki got 4th in 8-10 year old showmanship. They got to participate in an AKC agility clinic and a junior handling clinic. They also watched some showing, obedience, and agility trials.
After she got home, it was time for presents. Dinner was her favorite: venison steak and mashed potatoes. And of course cake for dessert! Enjoy the pictures
I work in the War Gaming Department at the Naval War College. The topics covered in war games we produce are as diverse as the military missions. Some are more conference like discussions. Some are purely experiential for the players. But occasionally, we play a game for the staff.
Every year, the staff plays a game based on the Battle of Trafalgar. Families are invited to attend, however, since it is normally during the day, kids are usually in school. Since we home school now, Alex and Vicki got to play the Battle of Trafalgar yesterday. Alex did a history lesson about the battle itself in prep for the game (in fact he knew more about the battle than most of the staff playing).
The kids had a great time and Alex actually won the cannonball award for the most kills in the battle.
Alex and Vicki studying the battlefield before the game.
Alex and Vicki studying the battlefield before the game.
The last battle in the game.
Alex was presented with the cannonball award for the most kills.
In the evening, we went to the Voluntown Trunk or Treat. It was nice because the kids got their fill of trick or treating (it was chilly) and we were back home before 7. Alex spent almost 2 weeks making his costume. He laid out a grid and painted every square on the costume.
Alex as a creeper (from Minecraft), Vicki as a witch, and Amanda as Belle.
Every year, Mystic Pony Club and Shetucket Valley Pony Club put on a show together at Mystic Valley Hunt Club. It is typically the end of October and one of the last outdoor shows in the area. It was actually cancelled in 2012 due to snow falling the night before and covering the course. This year there was no snow, but there was definitely wind. It was in the mid 50s and windy today.
This was the first time Alex and Vicki did this type of show. The show included dressage classes, 2 phase (dressage and stadium jumping), and 3 phase (dressage, stadium jumping, and cross-country jumping). Alex and Vicki entered in Grasshopper 2 phase which means they did a walk-trot dressage test and a stadium jump course of 10 jumps up to 18″ in height. They both also did an extra walk-trot dressage test. Alexis, Vicki’s friend and one of Anna’s students, rode in 2 dressage tests.
Alex and Nike got 2nd in 2 phase, and 1st in dressage. Vicki and Devil got 4th in 2 phase and disqualified in dressage because Devil decided to exit the ring a little early. Both of them rode a clear round in the jumping and had a blast. Alexis and Huey got 2nd and 3rd in dressage.
Alex (on Nike) and Vicki (on Devil) watching Alexis ride
Alex (on Nike) and Vicki (on Devil) watching Alexis ride
Alex (on Nike) riding dressage
Coach Anna reading the dressage test to the kids
Alexis (on Huey) riding dressage
Vicki (on Devil) and Mia (on Chrissy) walking their ponies while waiting to jump
Vicki (on Devil) and Mia (on Chrissy) walking their ponies while waiting to jump
Alex (on Nike) on their way to a clear round in their first ever jumping competition
Vicki getting ready to start jumping
Vicki (on Devil) on their way to a clear round in their first ever jumping competition
The last week of September, we took our travel trailer for a family vacation to Assateague National Park, an island in Maryland. Anna and I had been before in the late 90s, and we thought the kids would enjoy the wild ponies, bird watching, and beaches. We were right. As part of the home school curriculum, the kids did some bird watching lessons in preparation for the trip. My parents rented a Class C motor home and joined us and my brother and his family also came. We had 3 camping spots in a row for the week. The mosquitoes were brutal the first couple of days, but it got better through the week.
The kids LOVED playing on the beach. The water was definitely cool, and an hour was about the maximum they could handle. Through the week, the waves on the ocean side got stronger and only Alex was big enough to handle them. However, the bay side of the island was much more protected and the cousins were able to play there daily.
We had a campfire most evenings. The kids made some camp bread (that didn’t turn out too well – but they had fun) and smores. Mostly, they enjoyed hanging out and telling ghost stories.
We did a couple of walks to look at birds. And of course, the ponies who would walk right into camp.
I couldn’t pass an opportunity to take a look at the hooves of the wild ponies.
There were sleepovers in our trailer, and in Grandma and Grandpa’s camper. And there was just hanging out and playing together.
Anna, Alex, and Vicki rode Dakota, Nike, and Devil in the Lune Hunter Pace today. King has been lame this week so we sat out.
It was 8.9 miles of gorgeous trails and fun jumps. The kids got to do a few jumps and everyone had fun. Vicki has been logging more time in the saddle and did much better at this one compared to the pace in June.
They didn’t place overall, but they did win the Don Siluk Memorial award that is sponsored by Mystic Pony Club. It is an award specifically designed for pony clubbers and a parent/guardian. The kids are looking forward to a trip to The Paddock to redeem the gift certificate.
