Horse Riding Hairstyles for Girls

Being of a modest home, riding lessons is not an endless line of checks dashed off. It required a bit of thought, review of budget and a long talking to with the horse obsessed child.

Currently it had come to her attention that her hair usually looked messy. Why? I sent her to lessons with her hair up in a ponytail with a cute homemade bow wrapped around. It seems that the ponytail was yanked downward in order for her helmet to fit properly and much snarling ensued.

Ever the internet mom, I searched riding hairstyles and came up with nothing useful. So, I am going to post some experiments and post them here. It's better than a whole lot of nothing, right?

First, side braids:


Single Back Braid with Rubber Banded Bow:

This is what it looked like before I added the helmet.

Happy Easter

Easter Mass was wonderful, children were well behaved -ish and the Easter Bunny visited while we were there.

Sweet husband went for pancakes and Sunday paper. Yay, who knew this normalacy could be so fantastic!

Bottle Biology - at home science

You know one of the big parts of science is observation .... and this plan of using bottles makes it easy! Bottle Biology makes observation accessible.This was on Pioneer Woman first in a Mrs. G. post, I admit it. But I LOVE it! How fun to do at home? Take an empty couple bottle, dump some stuff in it and watch it! I mean, Observe.

Down the Trail

I love my state. We have amazing beaches, stretches of soft sand, rocky outscoppings, peek-a-boo bays and islands, crystal springs, low hanging branches draped with lacy moss ... fauna, flora and water you wouldn't believe. I mean really, how many orchid hunts can you have in Oklahoma? But, we do not have waterfalls. Not ones like in Georgia. My kids were wowed by this "small" set of falls in Gwinett County. And, I have to admit, so was I.

How Much Does My Husband Love Me?

I know my husband loves me. Not just a little bit but a lot. "A lot, a lot"(Parent Trap). Not only did he groan when I excitedly held up my cell phone to the box on the passenger seat, not only did he grumble hauling heavy bags from the car ... he built me a Taj Mahal in my backyard. My chicken coop. It is a thing of beauty. It matches with our fence, was engineered with great thought, consideration and love for me.

That was last year. How do I know he still loves me that much? I brought home new chickies ... they are so cute. Then just asked me how many we were keeping. He loves me, he really really loves me.

Blooming Right Now - Northeast Florida

March 18th

Azaleas are in bloom There are a few houses that I made sure to drive by just to see a long line of blossoms under the watchful stand of pines along the road.

I have seen other dogwoods in bloom in our neighborhood, but ours is slow waking up and stingy with tight greenish blooms.

Walk Score on Zillow

Just checking up to see what our house is listed as on Zillow and came across our "Walking Score". We received a 57, which is described as "somewhat walkable". I think our rating on this may go up, as we now have a high end grocery store within walking distance. Now with children, I am finding that they like to walk places. The only thing I don't think of is that I have to carry what I buy back. Two gallons of milk sounds like a good idea until I step out the door and remember I didn't bring a car.

Stop on I-85 Mayfield Dairy

On of my favorite travelling stops along I-85 simply must be Mayfield Dairy. What you cry? Not Chateau Elan for wine? No, no, no. (Or non, non, non.) Ice cream wins out every time!

This is a milk processing and packaging plant that has a nice tour that lasts about 20 minutes. First is the requisite film about the company, then you don the clever little yellow hair nets (and beard nets for men) go through to see the trucks coming in with raw milk, sampling and testing room, and some cool robotics filling and shuttling jugs and spinning on caps. This provide a spring board for homeschool discussions about where our food comes from, what scientists do, business models and so on. There is a little store too full of cute things, but the biggest draw is the sweetly priced ice cream parlor featuring Mayfield ice cream. There is a lovely outdoor landscaped terrace with seating, although indoor tables are available for inclement weather. There is also a very large Jersey Cow Statue that the kids can run around in a grassy field.

Blooming Right Now - Northeast Florida

Carolina Jessamine - The gorgeous yellow blooms are out in full force. There are so many bees swinging happily around the vine seems to hum.

Southbound on I-75 - Lanes Orchard in Georgia

If you are traveling southbound (or northbound) on I-75, and children are aboard, make a stop at Lane Southern Orchard. It is a few miles (3 or 4) off the interstate but a fun stop for families. Take exit 142 off I-75, head West and it's on the right after a few miles through beautiful Georgia.
Travelers and locals find the playground a fun trip and my three enjoyed climbing on the tractors. A local mom suggested stopping in mid March, the peach trees bloom and it is just the most beautiful thing she has ever seen.
There is a self tour of the peach packing facilities at the back of the store, and for $6 per adult, $4 per child, a tractor ride will take you into the orchard. Tours are seasonal, but my kids were still excited by so many trees in rows.
Inside they have a walk up bakery and ice cream counter. (I must reccomend the fried peach pie, I ate it too fast to take a picture.) There is a family restarant as well as clean restrooms. There is a store that sells peaches, pecans and citrus in season.
We enjoyed a quick stop, a sweet treat, and some energy let out at their playground.