pancakes with Daddy

storytime

One night when we went to kiss Kelsea as we turned in...

Kelsea's First Professional Riding Lesson

Today I went to my first riding lesson! Well, the first one taught by someone other than my Mommy that is. I've been practicing and waiting, learning to balance, stop, and turn on my own, and Mommy's been researching, trying to find the right barn for our family. We think this might be the one, it's called Riding With Style and is owned by Carmen Stiles. For my first lesson I rode Maddy (short for Madison) a Haflinger mare. She is super sweet, with a silky soft mane and tail. I was so excited to work with a pony for the first time! Julie, the barn manager, handed me a halter and showed me how to catch her and lead her in, how to groom and tack up. Then it was time for me to ride!
I'm working on keeping me heels down, my thumbs up and my hands together. Julie and Carmen say that I'll work on the lunge line for a few weeks, just to make sure I can handle things on my own before they set me free (since the arena is not fenced).

A note on Kelsea’s Birthday

A note on Kelsea’s Birthday:

This is for those of you who have asked what Kelsea would like for her birthday:

We appreciate your time and thoughtfulness of choosing a gift... however, your friendship and love is present enough - so please don't feel obligated to give anything but a smile... and maybe a hug or two.

Nevertheless, if you do wish to give her something, we ask that you help us to balance the wants with the needs and present her with what will help her to grow in the way we want her to go. As much as possible, let’s give experiences, not things. We believe that this is giving her a way to learn about life, and to find her own happiness, in herself instead of in some thing.

Kelsea’s interests right now are rapidly changing and we are blessed to be watching her grow into an active, adventurous girl. Her strongest passions right now are horses and biking. She also enjoys watercolors, herbal teas, crafts (especially ones that create something she can use), wild birds, cooking, gardening, reading, and music.

Some Gift Ideas:

• Annual memberships to places that we can visit as a family: South Florida Museum, Mote Marine Laboratory, Selby Gardens.
• Riding Lessons at Riding with Style
  
• Kelsea has expressed an interest in trying Karate class at Trautwein’s ATA (http://www.karatesarasota.com/)
• Her Amazon Wishlist: http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/3SZWVGJZBHZAQ/ref=cm_wl_rlist_go
• Cotton clothes: Kelsea is now wearing a size 7 in little girls. She likes soft, spring colors, ponies, butterflies, birds and sparkles. She’s set for long pants, but doesn’t have much in the way of shorts or dresses for warmer weather. Her favorites are: athletic clothes, tank tops, leggings with skirts, funky socks, headbands and hair clips. Please keep in mind that she is tall and slender for her age and help us to find shorts or skirts that are modest in length. Gymboree and Gap are favorite stores currently where most things seem to fit both in size and style.

Please help us to avoid as much as possible: Characters, Plastic, Batteries.

Thank you so much for asking and Thank you again for respecting our wishes,

Much Love,

Kenny and Kate

Southwest Florida Heritage Festival

hugs

Khazmira and Mariel

This is Kelsea on Khaz, the white Arabian mare that she talks about all the time. Once upon a time Khaz was a silly young horse in Sheri's pasture that Mommy gentled to ride, now she belongs to Mariel and the two of them have a fabulous show career. This weekend they had just returned from the Thanksgiving Arabian Horse Show in Tampa and took the time to let Kelsea ride a bit and help with Khaz's post show pampering (many carrots and peppermints!). To Kelsea, they are celebrities, and we are so blessed for the example Mariel and her family is in Kelsea's life.

photographed by Kelsea: Myakka State Park

"It's the deck at the birdwalk"

"Momma's fivefingers"
"I see everyone's butts" "That's the birdwatcher guy in the hat, he's nice"

"I like all the triangles on this one"

"it's a square"
"I like that my hair is on my nose"

Ready to Run

photographed by Kelsea: Sarasota Chalk Festival

With descriptions as dictated by Kelsea:


the kids section
I think this is an alligator

this one was for the Hyatt



this one is my favorite, the man was coloring the teeth

the water in the fountain where I rested with Grandpa







I don't know

Mommy, you took that one. It's Kelsea, Grandpa and GrandMinna!

Look, No Training Wheels!

Look at you Kelsea, You did it! You can ride your bike without training wheels!


You took the last wheel off with the wrench all by yourself, then I tightened the bolt on your wheel. I rode out with you for a little bit, then Hannah and Adam, our neighbors across the street, came over too. They were so excited to help show you how to get started when balancing. Then before you knew it you were on your way!

We are so proud of you, today and every day!

Much Love,

Mommy and Daddy