Horses

When I think back on my childhood, my most vivid memories are of the time I spent at Bit & Spur stables. I spent most of my summers there, riding horses, cleaning stalls, helping with birthday parties, and just hanging around the barn. It was a great way to spend the day, and I had a real love affair with those horses. I've ridden as an adult, too, taking lessons in LA and even jumping some in Long Beach. So now it seems only fitting that my girls are taking an interest in horses, too. Today we went to a stable in Chelsea and let them take a riding lesson. Of course they loved it and have now been bitten by the horse bug! And, as expected, I felt myself wanting to get back in the saddle, too.

The Busy-ness of Six Year Olds

The girls are involved in a lot of activities these days. Too many, probably. It's a difficult balance, because I want them to explore their interests and figure out what they like. I also want to encourage them to stick with things when they make a commitment. And I try to push them in certain directions, knowing that I always regretted my lack of athletic ability and thought that perhaps I could have been at least average if only I'd had some lessons and practice when I was younger. So, all those many thoughts jumbled together, along with two little girls who are excited about trying new things, have resulted in a very busy schedule: church (twice a week), ballet, gymnastics, tennis, Daisies twice a month, talent show rehearsals, and soon horseback riding. We've talked about dropping gymnastics, but there are other things they want to try. It's exhausting. I know that we'll need to make some decisions before next year, when homework will become more of an issue. I hope they'll continue to dance (their dance instructor is already talking to them about being on the mini-competition team, so that would be an even greater commitment). And I hope they'll keep playing tennis. I love watching them on Saturday mornings. Abby still has a great backhand, and Sarah is really good at the volley. They're starting to move to the ball, and can easily hit it over the net from anywhere on the court.

Another One!

Yesterday, Abby lost her other top front tooth. I can't believe how fast this is happening - where is my baby?? One of Sarah's top teeth is loose (barely), and she is wiggling it as much as she can. It makes her sad to see things happening for Abby first, but she's actually handling it pretty well. I've assured her that her teeth will eventually fall out, and that will be her time to celebrate alone. I have been pleasantly surprised that Abby hasn't been boastful around Sarah, despite her extreme happiness!

Last night Abby wrote the tooth fairy a note and asked if she could keep this tooth. The Tooth Fairy left her a dollar and said that she could keep this one, but she couldn't keep anymore because they were needed in the T.F.'s special Abby

tooth collection!

Tooth Fairy

Abby lost one of her top front teeth today. I'll post a picture later; I just didn't want to forget to post about it! She looks so different - it makes me sad. And yes, it made Sarah sad too.

here's the pic!