Sarah's Baby

If you look very closely you will see a cicada in this picture. Sarah found this guy in the tree out in front of our house yesterday. He was still wet from emerging from his former skin and hanging on the tree to dry. Sarah claimed him as her baby and kept watch over him all day - even as far as chasing a hopeful bird away from picking him off.

New Horse on the Block

A couple of weeks ago, my friend Jim bought himself a fancy new horse. They call him Chief. Ok - it is really El Jue--something something in Spanish that means chief - but I can only pronounce Chief.

Today Sarah, Aiden and I went out to take a look at said fellow. He is sure a looker! Peruvian Paso by breed, he moves quite elequantly and seems to fly around the ring. His glossy black coat catching the sun and mane and tail streaming behind. Jim had just the tack to adorn such a stead too. With tapederos and all they were decked out to the max.

Jim was having some minor discipline troubles with the guy that he said he would like a little help with, and with a minor amount of coaching he was able to correct him and off they went around the area like old friends.

Now to put my riding lately in perspective, I have not ridden since July of last year. (Trying to get on a horse while you are pregnant is uncomfortable at best.) So when I volunteered to ride this one, I was nervous to say the least. Climbing in the saddle Chief reassured my fear by pinning his ears and reaching for my shoe. Boy was he surprised when he got that tapedaro instead! But once I was in the saddle I was in heaven! To feel that horse beneath me and the power he possesses was wondrous. He stepped out beautifully, full of willingness and strength. Oh how I have missed that feeling...

So now I have the bug. I will be searching for sitters to care for the kids as I ride off in the sunset on our beasts here at home. Someone should really warn our horses.

Makin' Pie

Pitting the cherries was a breeze with this cherry pitter.
Sarah was quite the helper. (Beware of cherry pits....) We were able to make three pies before we ran out of time yesterday. Two raspberry and cherry and one straight cherry. But don't worry folks, I have the makings for eight more pies in the feezer! Maybe we can knock those out on Saturday. So if you are closeby, you will probably have a pie on your doorstep soon.

Cherry Pictures

Cherry Pickin'

Sarah is very a very particular picker.

Aiden, as you can see, was a BIG help!

I think we have enough for one day...

Yesterday Sarah, Aiden and I went over to the Evans farm to gather some fresh cherries. As you can see from the pictures, they had an abundant bounty! We should have enough now to make about four pies and one coffee cake. We may go back again for more - the trees are still dripping with these red gems!

As always, it was a great time hanging out with Jim and his grandson, Luke. Sarah even got to take off in the Ranger for some one-on-one time with Jim. That always proves to be educational! Somehow she came back with all the raspberries they had gone off to pick... She is a fast talker. I guess I will be making some jam today too.

Still Kickin'

Above: Dressed for success! It is all about the outfit! Left: Sarah got to kick in the ball!

Below: "What are we supposed to be watching? When can we go back inside?" Aiden is not amused...

Last Wednesday Sarah had her first Soccer Game. It was interesting.... Ok, so when you have 30 4-6 year olds you have to expect some level of chaos. Basically the kids just tried to kick the ball. It did not matter in what direction the ball was kicked, only that contact was made.

Sarah was her usual timid self and hung out on the fringes of the excitement for the most part.

She did, however, get chosen to kick the ball in from out of bounds! That was pretty exciting! And quite possibly, the only time she was able to touch the ball. We will be playing every Monday and Wednesday night, so maybe she will get in the mix eventually. Right now I am just happy that she is out there running her little heart out and making new friends. (Two of which she has declared as her new boyfriends...uhg...)

Aiden on the other hand, was not interested in watching Big Sis at all - he was more interested in finding out why the "outside" is not air conditioned. He did pretty well for about 15 minutes and then he was done and needed a cold drink! Sounds a lot like Daddy...