These Are The Days To Remember: June 2016

Thursday, June 30, 2016

Hannah's First Horse Show

Hannah showed in the Haverhill B and Pony Show with Splash this week, and I was so proud of her! After only 6 months in the saddle, she worked really hard and scored two 2nd place ribbons. She completed against two other girls who have been riding much longer, and was so excited to still place. Despite her sensory struggles, she put on her show clothes willingly, and asked to show again tomorrow. Mina came and played co-horse show mom with me (thank you!) and Softa, Zaydie and Jordan all came to cheer her on. Splash is the BEST pony, and we are so thankful to him for teaching Hannah the horse show ropes!

Hannah and her trainer (formerly my trainer), Debbie

Monday, June 27, 2016

Baby Brian's BBQ Birthday Bash Bonanza

Hannah, Mina and I headed to New York to celebrate Baby Brian's 2nd birthday this weekend. It was so much fun seeing him - he is now talking a TON and is still obsessed with his cousin Hannah (the feeling is mutual). Hannah cried when we left New York, and again at bedtime, because she misses him so much.

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Hannah's Black River Adventure

Hannah decided she was ready for sleepover camp this year, so we signed her up for the Black River starter camp. We dropped her off Sunday afternoon, and after we unpacked her and made up her bed, I told her we were leaving and gave her a kiss. She barely stopped coloring to say goodbye, and Jordan and I were on our way. Not a tear was shed... by her at least. We picked her up this afternoon (it's a 3 night 4-day starter camp), and despite not eating much besides sugar, and staying up WAY later than at home, it sounds like she did well. No homesickness, made a close new friend in her city(Sienna) and liked her cabin mates, and loved the horse she rode in the horse show, Mugsy. She was not a big fan of her counselors (too strict), but seemed to enjoy her time there otherwise. Hannah isn't so sure that she wants to go back, she may want to go to an English riding camp instead next year. So proud of her for being brave and trying something new!

BR has 4 "cities", each with 4 cabins - Hannah was a Settler in Virginia City

Hannah shared a bunk with her friend from school, Kennedy, and these are the "strict" counselors Maicey and Caty

A picture of Hannah's cabin posted to their photo sharing site

Hannah and Sienna on the dock after paddle boating

Lining up for the start of the horse show

Hannah and Mugsy at the horse show

Someone was super excited to see her sister - I bet you can guess which one

Hannah is the shortest girl on the far right in pink pants

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Goodbye, Sweet Sydney Cat

Our sweet Sydney cat passed away this morning from kidney disease at age 16. She was a great cat, always purring and happy to greet anyone. Hannah and I held her close and got to say goodbye, and after sobbing when the vet said it was time, Hannah then immediately asked, "can we still go to Melting Pot"? Kids have a way of lightening the mood, and I'm glad Hannah was able to be there with me to say goodbye.

School's Out!

Today was the last day of school, and Ella's last day of PreK. We now have a kindergartner and 2nd grader! Ella's class put on an end of year play completely written by the kids. Ella co-narrated with her best buddy Seraphina, and it was adorable. After that, we headed to the big dome for Hannah's moving up ceremony from Stage II to Stage III, and she walked through the moving up arch.

Hannah's classmates all wrote compliments on petals for each other, and then made flowers from the compliments they were given - Hannah is a nice, good friend and great artist!