My Old Man, Winter Coats, and Crocs

Lately I've been getting my horse out to ride in the afternoons when it's sunny, and once Pierce gets off the school bus letting him have a little mini riding lesson before heading inside for homework.  It's nice to get some fresh air.  The twins enjoy driving their trucks around the arena and pretending to be horses on the jumps.

 I can't even count the number of times I pretended to be a horse as a kid and sailed my fleet feet over wooden cross bars, with a brisk neigh. 

Sometimes Reid likes to ride with me.  Here we are on my horse, Phoenix.  There was a time I wouldn't have dreamed of putting a kid on Phoenix (who seemed to refuse to tolerate any rider other than myself).  But he's an old man now, at 21, and he has arthritis.  I've had him since he was 3.  I wonder, sometimes when I call him old man, if he's silently calling me old woman? 

 

Pierce is always excited to get to ride.  I didn't even have to punch holes in my saddle stirrups for him, thanks to a brutal riding lesson when I was 14 years old that involved doing the entire hour in what my instructor, Art, referred to as "jockey position".  Turns out my teen jockey length stirrups fit a 6 year old just fine.  

I know what you're thinking.  You're wondering why the kid is wearing Crocs and a swimsuit (and winter jacket, no less).  It was beach day at school for spirit week.  Finding a creative way to do beach day without freezing was quite the mom challenge, let me tell you! 

Now if only it really were beach week.  I don't know about you, but I'm done with winter.