Back in the Saddle

Week 7: Breakfast in bed...Is there a better way to start the week? We are slowly trying to get ready for school to start in 3 weeks, so we are getting up earlier to get used to what will be our way of life. But what do you do in the summer when you get up so early....I treated the kids to breakfast in bed with "shows". Not a bad way to start the week if you ask me!

I think that I mentioned last week that we went back to school shopping...Mary Virginia would not pose for a picture in her uniform - I will get that on the first day of school - but I thought I would show a picture of what we have to look forward to for the rest of the year.

(Sorry for the bad picture, everything just came out of the dryer and I threw it out there for a quick picture)




We made our weekly trip to the library to turn in our reading list and check out lots more books! The kids thought we needed a picnic at the playground after a morning of reading and quiet time at the library. We have had temperatures in the mid to upper 80's this week, so I thought why not. We played hard and had a great morning!



We also did some exploring this week! The kids and I explored Gonzales, LA. We checked out Gonzales soon after we moved here, but this time, we were on a mission to find a stable! Before moving here, Mary Virginia's riding instructor and I thought we found the perfect barn...after doing a "drive by", I found that the Internet lies! We were all extremely disappointed. After much more research and many phone calls, we had a list of a few more barns that met our criteria. I made a deal with the kids that we would play at the park after riding by a few barns and exploring the Gonzales area. (There are back roads that lead to the area from our house that are fun to explore...small towns with LOTS of personality!) Of course, we made our way to the park and the splash pad. Another great park with lots of kids and overall a great facility! I can not believe this area!

Through much snooping and lots of "drive bys", we found a barn that we love. As I have said before, it is not Windwood and nothing will ever be, but this is the one that we found where Mary Virginia can get the lessons that she needs and they have a covered arena, so no rain delays! The instructor, Abby, was wonderful and so were the horses! So, Mary Virginia is "Back in the Saddle" again. Although she stayed on the lead line the whole lesson (the instructor wanted to get a feel for her abilities), Mary Virginia was trotting and posting again! She was even practicing her 2 point stance - as she told me, she is getting into her jumper position so that she can be ready when it is time! This is the pony that she rode, Bailey, next week she will be riding Indy - a small horse. Bailey is a little bit stubborn and slow and Mary Virginia was a little impatient. I am not sure they knew what to think of us at the barn, we pulled up and Mary Virginia jumped out with all of her gear...pants, boots, helmet, grooming kit, and horse treats. Apparently, we are not the typical riders of the area!

2 point stance on Bailey

Trotting on Bailey

And finally, our weekly exploration was the Baton Rouge Zoo! On Saturday, in between rain storms, we made the journey to the zoo! It is another area in this city that is run by the parks board. I am amazed by what that organization has done around this city! The kids were so excited! We will be heading back next week - we didn't get to ride the train and the kids were not happy! Of course, we are now zoo members, so I am sure we will be heading back weekly!

Of course, you have to have a great gator exhibit in Louisiana. These were huge gators...John Bay was bored with them; all they did was lay there! As you can imagine, Ed had him yelling "choot em" at the gators. (Our Swamp People moment of the week)

You had to know that if there was a playground, we were going to find it. Halfway through the zoo, the kids found the play area! Another great playground (one way in and out so that parents could sit on the shaded benches at the gate and watch the kids)!

After a great morning at the zoo - we topped off the exploration with a Poboy! Ed has found a yummy restaurant near his job site, Best Seafood and Poboys. They did not disappoint! It was my first poboy as a resident of Louisiana! I tried out the shrimp and I think it was a good way to start!

Overall, we had a fun, very productive week! We are looking forward to what next week has to offer...a trip to the library and riding lessons are already on the books, but who knows what the weekend may bring...think, crawfish tails!