rAnDoM sTuFf

Toby & his friend were a bit bored on the bus ride home and decorated Toby's face. Seriously, this kid is so funny. On another note, Arielle had the 4th grade "Animal Safari" where the whole grade decorated their rooms with stuffed animals and presented info on animals for the parents. Arielle chose to report on elephants. She had a "button" sitting in front of her on her desk and parents walked around pushing it, she repeated her little report over & over again!

Spring Soccer Wrap Up- GO MOB!

Toby joined a new soccer club this spring, Optimist. He had a really fun time playing left wing and forward. He scored almost every game, this was his highest scoring season every played. Jim & I appreciated that this league more laid back than the competitive teams he was on the last few years, but a step up from county/city league. The pace was perfect for him (and us!). 1 weekly practice, 1 weekly game (no Sundays) and no traveling! Love it. Toby had a couple friends from school on his team & played against some other friends within the league. They were a brand new team , "The Mob", just formed this spring and came out with only 1 loss. They celebrated with a big pool party. Great season!

The Running 'Fro

Toby just wrapped up his first middle school track season, 7th & 8th grade track. The girls team practiced at the same time as the boys and they had all their meets together. I think that was a perk as far as Tobes was concerned. He had weekly meets where he ran the 250 yd dash and 4x100 relay. The competition was fierce, and he gave it great effort. I love this pic of him running with his huge fro (that I have been begging him to cut). I almost didn't recognize him coming down the track :)

Arielle's Pony Club Dressage Rally

Arielle's team after stall inspections
Michelle- Arielle's multitasking riding instructor :)

Arielle back on the horse and smiling after her big fall

Arielle running to come see me, does she look like she's having fun or what?!

Arielle & Miss Scarlet

Arielle was invited by her instructor to participate in the Pony Club Spring Dressage Rally in Charlotte. She was the youngest girl going from her barn and I wasn't sure she was really ready or not. The girl's each took their own horse and were responsible for packing all the tack, food and gear for the horse for the whole weekend. Once they got to the show they were responsible for keeping the horse in their own stall and taking 100% care of the horse themselves. Parents & instructors weren't even allowed in the stall area! They had frequent inspections and little tests along the way. I went up for the day on Saturday to watch Arielle ride and boy was it eventful! Arielle & her pony did great in the warm up, but when they got in the ring nerves got the best of them. Arielle's pony acted up (bucking & rearing) during her morning test, so for safety's sake she decided to get off and decline her morning test. Then in the afternoon test her horse acted fine at first, then decided to turn around and jump a rail out of the ring (about 4 feet). Arielle went flying off and scared me to death. She was very brave and got back on and rode out her test with her instructor leading the pony. Yikes. Not what I expected for her first show. Luckily, she still had a blast and said she would do it all over again! She has already been invited to the next show as "Asst. Stable Manager". She would be helping the other girls take care of horses, but not participating in the events herself. Once I recover from this weekend, I'll think about it...... ;-)

Random Spring Stuff

Jim going to Rickson Gracie's Jiu-Jitsu seminar
The boys building "mouseland" for Mojo

Arielle and her new mouse Mojo

Basketball cupcakes that I made for Arielle's school March Madness party

Our pretty little tree out front, blooming lavender then white stinky little blooms

Dan Nicholas Park

Had a great time on our day outing to Dan Nicholas Park. Only an hour drive and good, cheap fun! Gem mining, petting farm and little zoo. We even rode the little train (built for toddlers, but still fun!) I'm sure we'll be coming back to this place. 50 cents- $1.00 for each attraction, you can't beat that.

Blue Ribbon Day

Arielle's first BIG Pony Club event: Carolina Quiz Rally. We traveled to Concord, NC with 2 teams from our stable (Hidden K Stables). The teams competed against other Pony Club teams in events that tested their practical knowledge (tying up horses, grooming techniques, first aid for horses, knowing all the tack & gear, etc). Arielle was the youngest girl that went from our barn and she was in horse heaven. Her team won 1st place in their division and the older girls took 2nd. Way to go Hidden K!