The Countdown Begins...

The excitement is building as Emily knows that June is just hours away, and June means two things this year - her birthday and a week with Mickey Mouse and all his pals on her next Disney Cruise (meanwhile I have my own excitement building with summer vacation just days away) !

Last weekend the two of us spent all night in a tent in the backyard.  A couple times she complained she was cold, and after rewrapping in the pile of blankets she drifted off to sleep again.  

Tuesday she went on a trail ride with Trigger, and as predicted, has been using Faryn all week in place of her horse. The weather has been fabulous that we've been able to take both dogs for a walk in the evening.  Gerda is great on leash, but I told Emily that it's confusing to a puppy to be called Trigger sometimes.  So, Faryn just trudges along and doesn't mind things like Whoa, Trigger!  or Walk, Trigger!  or Trot, Trigger!

Thursday it was back at swimming lessons after missing the week before because of an ear infection.  Emily swam the long distance of the pool without stopping, without holding on and using the fins and a kickboard.  She really loves it, if and only with her friend.  She still tells me she wouldn't go alone!

The summer looks like it's going to be busy.  She'll stay at preschool twice a week, including a day where they will start taking a Music n Me class.  Wednesdays in July she will be at a creative movement summer camp in Ketchum, after she was sure it was with Miss Debra in the room with the purple walls  She wasn't about to go to the other class... you know, the one that brought her to tears and an invitation from the teacher to leave class.  But, she loved Mindful Movement 4 Kids with it's colorful props, instruments, and the warm and friendly Miss Debra.  Fridays will be tennis lessons.  I kind of laughed at this one, but another preschool mom arranged a coach and Emily thinks she wants to try it... so try it we will.  And I think somewhere in there we will be continuing with swim lessons (if Emily is willing!) and riding lessons will be starting back up in mid July.  I would sure like to take some fun day trips, fit in some camping, and work on all those skills she's going to need (like tying her own shoes and riding her real bike).  Sure it a lot on the summer sand bucket list!  

Oh, yeah, we will also have to work on training a puppy.  

Emily & Gerda

We sort of forgot how much work a puppy could be... it didn't take us long to remember!

For the most part, Emily loves Gerda.  They have their moments where Gerda has swiped a favorite shoe (the purple cowboy boots seem to be a favorite) or a beloved toy, and we chase in circles trying to catch an elusive puppy who loves to go under things to unreachable places to chew.  And there have been a few occasions where a twirly dress is just too tempting not to grab onto!

The sign Emily made for Gerda's crate that states "Bad guys don't touch". 

Emily was always wanting to take Faryn for a walk, but our old, blind dog never gets anywhere quickly and usually wanted to quit before Emily did.  Gerda is more willing to go around the neighborhood for a walk!

Emily & Trigger

Emily's favorite thing has got to be horseback riding, so the two month break between winter and summer session is going to be a long one!  She has one more lesson next week before the long break begins, and I'm already wondering how to keep her happy without Trigger.  After a lesson is over, Emily often reenacts the entire thing.  She usually places blankets over the arm of the couch, with leashes as a substitute for reins and a cinch, and a doll.  Occasionally, she'll recruit Faryn as horse and lead her around the house or the yard.

We might have to visit Junior again to spare the dog from 8 weeks of torture.

Emily is riding more independently each time we go, and with the great weather she's been riding through the obstacle course in the arena and doing fun things on the sensory trail.

Bonus Ride

Thanks to a customer at Aaron's store, Emily got a bonus ride on a horse named Junior Saturday morning.  It was a gorgeous day to head out to this ranch where he's boarded, and Emily was able to ride for about an hour.  In the past, Junior had worked as a therapeutic horse, and it looked like Emily was at Swiftsure for a lesson!  Virginia, the owner, had Emily do all her core exercises, and then Emily was able to ride independently for awhile.  Together, they treated Junior to some dandelions (his favorite treat) before we went to look at the goat, chickens, pigs, and even a diabetic miniature pony that's not allowed to eat grass (and I thought a diabetic dog was hard to handle!).

The New Playmate

Look who entered our world on May 12th!  It's Cinderella,  Elsa, we will call her Gerda, the second.  She arrived by plane Monday at the Boise Airport 8 hours after leaving her home in Washington.

She was scared, and after that much crate time not so clean, but warmed up to us quickly. 

And she's had a terrific first week with us.  She's been great about going outside or spending time in the crate, and if it wasn't for the typical puppy-chewing-on-everything-but-the-dog-toys, I don't think we would have any complaints. 

And that's Gerda, the second!  

Happy Mother's Day

ArborFest

On Saturday we headed over to the park for the Arbor Day activities.  Emily was excited to meet up with a preschool pal for a bouncy house, crafts, food, and of course playing at the park!

A Mud Run is a part of the activities, an obstacle course that includes a mud pit.  Emily really wanted to participate, and if her age group wouldn't have been ten and under I would have been more willing.  So after the races, Emi and her pal took there turn at the course (but chickening out just before the mud pit)!

How Does Your Garden Grow?

 Emily was a big helper in planting a garden this year.  We don't always have the best of luck, but we are trying beans, peas, carrots, and corn.

We had some fun outside with some chalk, can you tell?  I was just glad to get outside today.  Yesterday Emily came down with some quick, yet brutal, stomach bug and our Saturday was spent on the couch...  yuck.

But it was a fairly good week.  Tuesday Aaron had another surgery in Salt Lake (all went well) but we got home much later than expected.  Thanks to Rick and Cindy, Emily still made it horseback riding where the new toy for the horse and riders was a big teeter totter.  On Wednesday, Emily was thrilled that she finally got to wear a princess dress to school for a tea party.  On Thursdays, Emily still continues to take swim lessons and this week she managed to make it the entire length of the pool!