Ballet lessons were a bust for Miss Madeleine. We went to one lesson and she wanted to leave after 5 minutes. We never went back to lessons after that first one - not because I'm letting my child be a quitter, but because she very clearly did not desire to go back.
But I think I know what Maddie will be investing her time and our money in as far as lessons go...
Horses.
Her first pony ride was before she was two years old and you should have seen my dad and sister shelling out $5 bills so she could keep riding. She had them wrapped around her little finger!
A few weeks ago we drove by the house of a couple who go to our church. Joe and Mary Sirico are an amazing couple and God has called them to be missionaries in Italy. They live in Seminole - which is just east of Niceville. They happen to own my dream house - not because it's anything huge and spectacular, but because it's quaint and country and has land - something hard to find these days in our area.
I'm seriously dreaming of having chickens...
They also have horses - three in fact.
When we first drove past their house Maddie saw the horses and went nuts. She cried and cried as we drove away - but I promised her I would ask Mary if we could come visit the horses soon.
Late this afternoon - with daddy and Wyatt in tow - Maddie and I got up close and personal with the horses.
Using a bareback saddle and a rope lead - Maddie rode by herself and was in heaven. After a few turns around the ring Mary told us she needed to get back to working on the garage sale and Maddie went from happy to crushed in 2 seconds. Mary's comment was that she could probably tell Maddie that she could ride Jesse for a hundred years and it would never be enough!
Maddie agreed!
Even though I'd never ridden on a bareback saddle before (only western and English) I made quick friends with Jesse and Mary lifted Madeleine up in front of me and we rode around the ring for a good 30 minutes.
After riding, Maddie helped feed the horses her dinner and Mary said we could come back another day to help exercise Jesse some more.
So I can see where our money is going to go one day - for a horse - or at least riding lessons.
Maddie says that next time she wants to ride it all by herself and say "Giddyup Horsie" and she'll hold onto the handle (reins).
She'd also like to say thank you to Jesse the horse for letting her ride him - she can't wait for their next time together!
pictures:
daddy and Wyatt saying hello to Sandy:
Maddie and the cat - waiting to ride the horse
Maddie getting her instructions from Mary:
Giving Jesse a hug:
Starting out by herself - I walked next to her, but she needed no assistance from me! Anytime Jesse felt like Maddie wasn't balanced perfectly he stopped all by himself until she righted herself - One smart and sensitive horse!
Mommy, Wyatt and Madeleine giving Sandy some love. Sandy was very interested in Wyatt and his shoes. He gave Wyatt lots of nudges and kisses!
I've got a good video to add later, but you'll have to disregard Wyatt screaming in the background. He was either very upset that he wasn't invited to ride the horse (although we did bring his helmet and next time we'll let him ride with me to see how he likes it) or he's just very much a mama's boy and can't stand me to be more than 10 feet away from him!
Here it is!
