Autumn in New England

I know that most of you live here or at least used to, but sometimes we forget or don't notice just how beautiful it is.

This past weekend was so sunny and unseasonably warm, that is just seemed to make the leaves all the brighter. I was taking the back road drive to the Tack Shop (a.k.a. horse riding supply store) to get some things for Megan for Christmas, and it just struck me how beautiful the trees were. It was one of those times when I realized how much I love it here.

There is no substitute for the real thing. It's almost magical how it fills you with anticipation of things to come...Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas...football, warm stew and cool nights.

It truly is my favorite time of year!

For the Love of a Horse (Part 2)

Megan's second and final horse show of the season was at Woodstock Acres on Sunday October 21st. She had spent the last few weeks practicing with her instructor and frankly obsessing about this show. I was nervous for her because I knew she had been trying really hard and would be heartbroken without a ribbon, but we had spent a lot of time discussing this possibility and how it was about being there, not the winning...

It turns out my worries were for not. She ribboned 3rd in her first two classes and won the Blue Ribbon and Trophy for the last!!! I don't think she knew what was happening, because she was all controlled and quiet while I was jumping and hugging her instructor!!

Later it was announced that she was tied for Division Champion and would need to have a "Trot Off" to see who the Grand Champion was. This made her more nervous than any of her classes and as soon as it began it was over. In her nervousness, she had lost everything she had practiced over the past few weeks and was again off on her diagonals. However, she took it like a champ and was actually happy for the other girl who won.

As I sit here writing this, I wonder if it's ok to be a little jealous of your own child? Dan's uncle John once joked, "When I die, I want to come back as one of my kids!" I don't think there could be a better saying for this experience.

For the Fun of It!

Last spring we decided to enroll Lauren in soccer. It was fun to watch 12 little 4 and 5 year olds run around without a clue what to do, but it quickly became apparent that the coach needed some help keeping them all together. Most of the moms and dads just sat and watched, but Dan got up and helped. Little did he know that he would soon be named Assistant Coach and would find himself at each and every game and practice!!

What is even more funny is that Katie goes along for the ride too! She absolutely loves being in the backpack watching all of the excitement...He really is a great dad!!

For the Love of a Horse (Part 1)

Megan's horseback riding hobby had been relatively under control with weekly lessons and a few weeks of summer camp, until we were recently invited to participate in her first horse show. Anyone who says Skiing and Golf are expensive hobbies have not yet purchased English equestrian riding clothes!! The funny thing is how quickly you forget the expense when you see her standing there so proud, determined and independent!

On Sunday, October 7th, Megan participated in the Winterbrook Fall Series Horse Show. She was in four events. The first class was Trail, although they should have called in "obstacle course" because that is basically what it is. She had to go to a pole and take the hanging jacket and put it on, empty a mailbox, step over water (horses tend to be scared of water since they have no depth perception to tell how deep it is), walk into small spaces and back out, etc. She was delighted to have placed 6th in this event.

The other three classes were the Maiden walk/trot series (Maiden meaning beginner). She is judged on her poise, control of the horse and riding ability. She ribboned 5th in one of these classes. Because this was a schooling show, meaning that the judge will give you pointers and advice, she was told that she needed to pay attention to her diagonals. I was told diagonals are the rhythm by which your behind rises and falls on the horse as it trots. It should be in sync with the movement of the horse's shoulder.

By the end of the 7 hour day, she was beaming and my head was spinning with unsought after knowledge of all that is horses! She has really found her passion, and although she may one day leave it behind for other things, I'm glad she has found something to love so deeply.

If we thought Megan was obsessive about horses before, then we've gone over the edge now! Every other word out of her mouth is either about the care and keeping of her riding clothes or regarding the next free moment we might have to take her to the barn to practice!! After all, she has a second show on October 21st that she really wants to do well at.

As in most sports, we came across many a girl in tears and self hatred over not winning a ribbon. In fact one girl from our barn came out of the arena, jumped off her horse and told her mother she was never going to ride again.

It was good for Megan to see and learn from. I spent a good amount of time discussing the fact that this should be fun for her and when it no longer is then it would be time to step back. Being a good loser is a hard lesson for this age group, but I think Megan is just so happy to be able to take part. I will continually remind her that it's not all about the ribbons and to set her expectations at a reasonable height.

Dan and I consider our ability to offer our daughters these opportunities as one of biggest joys of parenting.

Medieval Banquet

"Come on a journey to a moment in time, to a land where kings and queens rule, to proclaim the young prince's birthday, and to eat and drink and drool! There will be noble knights, all brave and bright, and jolly jesters too, a wandering minstrel to sing through the night, all this is just for you! This Medieval banquet is fun for all, and nothing will be left to spare, the town will gather, one and all, we hope you'll all be there!"

Our Community Center held a Medieval Banquet on Saturday night at which Megan was invited to take part as a Page, or one who seats people at the royal feast. As you can see, we all attended in full costume and had a great time. We especially enjoyed the fact that it was "authentic", so no forks were used in the eating of chicken and salad and the cider was poured into steins using buckets and pails! Lauren enjoyed the face painting jesters and the screaming everytime someone mentioned the word Dragon, which seemed to occur quite often to her delight. While Dan enjoyed the royal knight's sword fight with the cheating theif! Megan was glowing all night long as she was also asked to entertain the hungry crowd by dancing amoungst the court with other fair maidens. She came home after a long night of two showings to declare that she wanted to go back and join the drama club who hosted the banquet!! Now that would be a sight to see.