A lot of weeks continue on just as the week before. Nothing too notable occurs. Yes, we laugh, play and enjoy our time together, but those jump-up-and-shout moments are few and far between. Last week was a pretty good week.
On Tuesday a dense fog surrounded our area and created a two hour fog delay for school. Noelle loved it, snuggling me for long periods. I rocked her and she snuggled in my arms. Her almost six year old body still fighting just right on my lap. The sun came out and the fog dissipated. Noelle went off to school and I went on with our daily tasks until it was time to pick Noelle up.
Tuesdays are horseback riding lessons. We all love them. I tour the barns, petting and talking with the horses. Max loves it. Violette shies from the horses saying, “I’m so little and they are SO big!”. Zane giggles in his stroller, reaching for outstretched muzzles to feel. It’s always a good time for us all.
On this Tuesday, it was a big one. We had our three year old neighbor buddy, Luke, tagging along. Noelle started her lesson and we went to the barns. As we walked to the end of one barn, butting up to the indoor arena I noticed something. My girl was riding without the lead (big leash from horse to teacher)! I stopped and stared in awe at the sight before me. She was in complete control of the horse, leading him around with no help. Again, I was in amazement.
She saw me. Our eyes locked and a pride filled smile spread across her face. I tried not to shriek with delight. I played it cool, raised my eyebrows and smiled at her while blowing a kiss. My eyes could not leave the sight before me and I was so proud of her. She was confident and beautiful up there. Max was proud too, bragging to his buddy that his big sister was riding by herself, for the first time. Violette was impressed too, commenting that “my Well is riding on her own!”.
We continued on to the other barns, not wanting to interrupt her lesson. I was sneaky as I could be with four kids in tow, lingering at the spots with the best vantage point. The lesson ended and Noelle ran to me saying, “That was my dream come true!”. She was in seventh heaven and has stayed that way for the week.
That was big for us all, but Max had a big week too. He successfully learned to write his name! Yes, Noelle was younger, but I have learned each child is different. Max is a boy, wanting to play, and play hard instead of working his letters. We haven’t pushed him, only tried to encourage him when he showed interest. This week he showed interest, lots of it and without much direction he wrote a pretty darn great “M” followed by “A” and “X”. Now it was his turn to beam with pride. Oh, he was proud and called Daddy immediately to tell him. When Noelle came home he showed her saying, “Can you believe it? I can actually write my name!”.
Zane had an noteworthy accomplishment as well. My little boy learned to say, “dog”. He seems to be the most smitten with our dog, Zeus. Crawling on the large 125 lb. body, he rides Zeus like nobody’s business, doing it all the time. When tiredness sets in, Zeus is his go-to pillow. Zane snuggles up, lounging against Zeus, savoring the warmth and softness underneath him. He has taken more of a liking to “dog” than the other children and we all enjoy watching his precious interaction.
It’s November and we experienced our first snowfall too. The sky opened up and the white, fluffy goodness fell. The jubilation of the children was contagious and we all ran from window to window watching the large flakes dance towards the ground. Oh, it was definitely noteworthy. It didn’t stick, but it did wet our appetite for the winter and anticipation for Thanksgiving and Christmas has been heightened.
