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Together again!



So after a week of being away Abi is home again and it appears that the person that missed her most is Izzy! Despite showing no real sign that this was the case, when she walked back through the door Izzy could barely stop herself from throwing her arms around her sister and giving her an enormous hug.  Abi pretended not to be pleased but secretly you could tell she was happy to see Izzy as well. This time Glenn picked her up and it was a marked improvement. Abi made the point to me "Have you not noticed what a good mood I'm in?" When I said that I had indeed noticed, she responded with "Daddy picking me up is so much better - he doesn't bombard me with questions"! Guess that's me told then! I did say that I only do this to show that I'm interested in her week and that I've missed her, to which I got "I know you're interested and I know you've missed me... you don't need to make a thing of it"! Oh so wise at such a young age...

So while most of the other kids have gone back to school our 2 have another week and so do I - woo hoo! So far the weather has been kind to us and so we've managed to be outside for much of it. The girls started their loan of ponies today so this morning it was a quick breakfast and then up to the stables. They had made the decision themselves as to who they wanted to loan and the first job was poo-picking the field they were in. 2 wheel barrows later and I could tell the realities of owning a horse were starting to sink in - perfect! We then got the ponies in and, after grooming, they opted for a hack. On this occasion we didn't even manage to get half way round before Izzy burst into tears - a slightly spooky Phoebe had wound her up and she was feeling a complete lack of confidence, not totally surprising after she was thrown off last time we hacked out. Abi offered to swap ponies and in the end she walked Izzy home on her pony and I led Phoebe. What was lovely as I was the one who was trying to get Izzy to just man up and get on with it while Abi was being really supportive, including giving her a hug and talking to her all the way back as to what to do with her heels / knees and so on. If it teaches them nothing else other than to look after each other it will be money well spent. We headed back and they defaulted to the ring which was a success - both of them got their ponies to listen to them properly after all the nonsense earlier and before long they were both cantering around confidently. Just wasn't a day to be out I suppose.

This afternoon while they headed to their respective corners with iPad / books / music etc. Glenn and I got outside for what I presume (hope!) will be the last cut of the lawn this year. The leaves are now coming down fast so we are spending every spare weekend moment raking them up - good for core strength if nothing else! Glenn was cutting and I was raking wet grass - the trouble is if you don't do it then the leaves are harder to pick up and it looks awful. Regardless of all that moaning I love being out in the autumn sunshine tidying up the garden. This is one of my favourite times of the year to be outside. This morning there was a frost on the ground and everything was sparkly - the trees are turning, its not yet too cold and the light is lovely. England in Autumn really is the best place to be.

Tomorrow is another riding day and then Wednesday I have to work before having the rest of the week off. I would prefer for the week not to be broken by work but needs must - it was my choice to go in and I wouldn't have done it without good reason. In the meantime I'll make the most of the kids loving being together and me loving having time at home with them and Glenn.


The closet we will get to Halloween!

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