Four to six

It's been a long and eventful summer. There haven't been too many days where all six of us have been together. On the weeks I have my big kids, I really don't. They are usually up in Nisswa, at camp, sleeping over at friends houses or elsewhere, then back with their dad as soon as they come back home. It's hard to blog about them when my time with them goes so quick.

 

Tomorrow they come home, have a good nights sleep and are off to school for the first day of 3rd and 4th grade.

I can't wait to have my family back together for some much needed normalcy.

So sad...

We were at school for Open House and running the Cub Scout table. Around 7pm the kids and I started to walk home. Adelynn wanted to stay where the "party" was. She wanted nothing to do with walking home so she just stopped, started crying and covered her face. As we'd walk closer to her she'd turn and walk further away. If we turned our back to walk home she'd follow a few steps and stop in the spot she liked to pout in. 

Another parent enjoyed watching Adelynn's cute little fit. Actually, quite a few stopped just to watch. She got a handful of "so cute" comments as she pouted with her hands over her face.

After three minutes or so I picked her up, Noah in my arm, and we started to walk. As soon as we crossed the road she followed right along with us as if her episode never took place.

12 weeks

Noah is 12 weeks and that means my summer vacation must come to an end. 

Am I ready to go back to work?

No. I'm not. 

I really enjoyed my summer off and being with my kids. We visited my parents a couple times, went to the zoo, walks, Ely, Nickelodeon Universe, and just enjoyed the quiet times. I didn't have to drive 45 minutes one way to work. I didn't have to rush from one place to another. In a nutshell, these past 12 weeks were simple.

So why don't I just stay home with the kids?

I'd love to but there are bills to be paid.

I enjoy what I do and the challenges I'm

given. It would be nicer if I didn't work so far from home. I chose to move this far away. I love the horse and cattle farms that surround me. Yes, even the smell.

Back to Noah...

Sam was the first one to get Noah to laugh. He smiles and stares at his mobile. Has been sleeping through the night for the past four weeks. He has even had two ear infections. Poor guy! Amidst it all, he's still pretty mellow and happy.

Noah started with Jenna last Monday and he has adjusted quite well. He comes home and insists on going right to bed. Once he gets used to the noises of daycare I'm sure he'll be more awake in the evening.

Show Day

I had such a hard time leaving camp last year, so naturally I was expecting another hard year. Surprisingly, it was a lot easier.  It was so fun seeing our friends from last year and hearing that they'll be coming back again in 2014.

Sam got 1st Place for Tacking and Grooming, a few ribbons for placing within the top six for games she played on show day; like balancing an egg on a spoon while walking, trotting and cantering.

Sam struggled with Aimee in the beginning questioning her ability to handle such a big horse. She overcame her fears and succeeded. Aimee was still on the stubborn side but she was always gentle with Sam. I'm so proud of how great Sam did with her.

The camp isn't the cleanest or run with the most efficiency but it surely sends us home with some pretty amazing experiences.

Dance Night

Last full day of camp and the moms are heading to the bar. Twice. Once on horseback in the afternoon and once after dark for our annual karaoke night.

Sam got all dolled up in her new dress. Of course she wasn't interested in smiling.

What a change in her since last year. She was eager for me to leave and was off and dancing and singing karaoke without any nudging from me. She sang "22" and "December" by Taylor Swift. 

Rides and Improv

We rode our horses back to the ranch and were told the "mom's ride" would be today after lunch. When I looked out and saw the herd in the large pasture I realized plans had changed. It was only noon and staff expected us to hang at the pool all day. Um... No... I don't think so.

A few of us moms gathered and confronted the owners niece who is the riding director and were told the horses would be too mad if they were chased back in for another ride. After further discussion they were chased back in. The staff are in their teens to early twenties. Moms win every time. It's frustrating because we paid to ride horses, not sit by the pool.

We went on another trail ride with just the moms. A lot of cantering was done. It was an awesome two hours. After we got back we were offered yet another ride, this one being a night ride. Of course I was all over that idea. If you give me the opportunity to get on a horse, I won't say no. Sam opted to stay back which I was okay with since it would be dark. Good thing because someone turned on a flashlight to guide us through the woods on our way back which spooked one horse leading to half of the group being spooked. I was at the back if the line and just heard the little girls up front screaming as horses were scattering all about. One of the girls, Piper, who is just two weeks older than Sam fell off her horse and was stepped on. It was very dark by the time help came and an eerie walk through the woods. She headed to the ER with what seemed like a soft tissue injury. I was thankful Sam stayed back.

Karaoke and Improv night were to begin upon our return. Since it was 10pm, we skipped right to improv with karaoke being postponed to Friday. Sam and Fiona were called up to participate. They did motions like boxing and had to think of things to day that would describe their actions. They went on forever so a tie was called. Improv is pretty hilarious.

Campout

After lunch we tacked up and headed to Campout. It's on a hill with a beautiful view about 45 minutes by horse. Five minutes by vehicle. We load our sleeping bags, nights belongings and a few mattresses into the wagons for a night of songs, laughter, camp stories and building friendships.

The kids slept in the first wagon but Sam decided to sleep on my mattress. By morning she was on Alex's mattress (Sierra's mom) snuggling up to her. I enjoyed the snuggle time she gave me before moving on to the next mom.