Summer days seem to pass by so darned quickly! I wish it weren't so, but it does encourage me to appreciate it more... to try and soak in every warm moment, especially the sunny ones...
This summer is no exception. In fact, I've had to work harder to cherish the sweet little summer moments because our family has had so many more demands on our time than we used to with both girls working part-time, me in school five hours a day, and the guys very busy with their jobs, frequently working Saturday mornings as well as weekdays.
Rosie came home from her month in PA a few weeks ago, exhausted and a bit homesick, but even more mature as an equestrian AND a young woman, beyond her years.
We've been doing our traditional summer things like blueberry picking at Hall's Hill, tending our little garden, picking blackberries on the edge of our woods, and painting projects around the house. But we've also spent a day with our extended family, kayaking at Hill's Creek State Park...
Celebrated Grace's birthday in Mansfield, PA with family...
Visited Vernon Downs for my birthday dinner and more "research"....
And, spent an afternoon with Nate at Fair Haven Beach...
And, this year, a goofy colt has kept us entertained and busy! We play games like, "What Happens if You Toss a Big Pink Ball (ehem...my exercise ball, actually!) into the Paddock with a Colt?"
DSCN8169 from Jennifer Westbrook on Vimeo.
(Excuse all the background conversation!)
Funny Boy!
He's getting much better about the halter and at walking on a leadline. In fact, one evening recently, we took all three horses on a stroll through the woods.
It was nice! Even the dogs and two of the cats joined us!
Eventually, Isaac will learn to go on these walks without his mama and Auntie Lexie, but not for another month or so.
We're also working on handling his feet and things like that because he'll need to cooperate with both a vet and a farrier in the near future.
And, a registered name? Well, our top 3 picks were already taken, so we've gone back to the drawing board and come up with a few more:
-Goodbye Monet
-He Laughs
-ChangeMyStars
-Jim Hawkins
We're tossing these around for right now, but we need to decide by the end of September - Yikes!
We are now members of the trotting association and Don is doing tons of research. He's determined to see Isaac race one day, one way or another! We're considering starting a "Go Fund Me" page....no, seriously!
We still have plenty of 2016 maple syrup to sell at this point, but we're actually thinking about scaling back on the maple syrup next season with so many other things going on in our lives. (I'll explain more of that in another blog!) We'll make just enough for ourselves and our very loyal customers...aka. family and friends!
Enjoy what remains of summer, Folks! And, look for my next blog update in the fall...
