The Simmons: May 2014

Our animal-loving 5 year old!

I am going to give away the ending: when Anna-Kate got off her horse, she turned to her daddy and said, "I want to ride a horse everyday!"

For Anna-Kate's fifth birthday, we wanted to do something special. Whether it was a party or an experience, we wanted it to be special. This idea came up and once we looked into it, it became the obvious choice. It was wonderful! We took the kids to Dead Broke Farm of Raleigh.

We invited her cousins Camden, Evelyn, and Anderson to come along, as well as our neighbor Cailey. This group gets along so well!

The way it was set up: there were two groups of three kids. Each group got to ride on a 20-minute trail through the woods. While they weren't riding, there was a playground to play at and, of course, lots of animals to stare at!

The first group was Anna-Kate

Anderson

Benjamin

Anna-Kate with her horse Misty

She was so confident sitting on that horse!

This.grin.

Anderson on his horse Stormy. (Both Stormy and Misty are Arabian horses.)

Benjamin and I were on the big draft horse, Holly (a Belgian).

It was so great riding through the woods! So far, the kids main exposure to horses had been the pony circles at the church's fall festival. This was such a different, wonderful experience!

Anderson with his daddy leading.

One of the classic moments of the morning: my horse paused on the trail for a minute, well, for a bathroom break. Suddenly, I hear Anderson yell, "that horse is peeing!" AK: "eeww!" with lots of giggles. AB: "It's yellow!"

Truly, this grin never stopped!

Benjamin has looked at me several times since leaving the farm yesterday, "Ri'e horse." You rode a horse yesterday? "Yeeaahh!!!" with a grin that lights up his whole face!

But, I am not going to lie...I was barely less excited than Anna-Kate!! I want my next birthday to be a horse ride! Such beautiful, wonderful, graceful creatures. Will, can I have a horse for my birthday? Please!

It was time to switch riders. We mamas really didn't mind that we had to ride with our littles!

When Cailey told me on the drive to the farm, "I have never ridden a horse before. I have wanted to for a long time." I could not have been happier that she rounded out our group!! She has been a sweet friend to my kids and a help to me. This grin made me grin!

Can you even handle Evie in her cowgirl boots?!

I walked with the second group, so that I could take some pictures along the way. This is what our trail looked like.

With a few other sights!

I loved getting to see some more horses along the path. So beautiful!

Another quote of the day: "Look! I like those cow-horses!"

Stopping for a quick snack. I love how this picture shows off how big the horse Ashley and I took Benjamin and Evie on really is.

When all the kids had finished their rides, it was time to give some treats to the horses, and get a picture with my little cowboy!

Carrots for the horses.

Love these cousin-besties being brave together to feed the horses

Look! Dogs!

How.cute.

These two did not appreciate when the dog was ready to go.

By this point the kids were hungry. There was a playground in the shade with picnic tables right beside it. So, everyone brought their own picnic lunches. Then, it was time for cake! A horse cake for our 5 year old!

This girl. This grin.

Anna-Kate is the easiest person to treat! She opens every gift like it is the most precious gift. She really takes in the moment with a genuine appreciation. This was her face while we sang Happy Birthday.

This was her face while she opened the card Anderson had made, seeing the rock that he had found for her, just for her birthday! Love the sweetness in finding the rock and in the way she treasures it!

Seriously easy to spoil.

Just to remind you of the 2 year old in our midst.

Once we were fed and finished with the birthday portion, we still had lots of apples to offer to the animals. Offering apples took a little more bravery on the part of the kids. You could really feel the horses lips taking the apple from your hands. The kids did so well!