Horsing Around This Summer

Well, just like anything else, if you wait around long enough things change. Those 90-degree days dropped like hot rocks to temps in the 50s. We went to the lake for the weekend and it was cold. Baby Brigid was in her blanket sleeper and Jack had a fire going every night we were there. The girls and I went shopping on Saturday in Malone and we picked up a pair of Crocs (http://www.crocs.com/home.jsp) for Brigid. So cute! Patricia wanted a pair so I got her a pair as an early birthday present. Margaret got a pair for her birthday, so we're all Crocked out. Brigid's don't fit quite right yet, but she'll grow into them. I'd rather have them a little too big then have her grow out of them right away. They ain't cheap.

I had to shoot the Lake Placid Horse Show on Sunday and it was 50 degrees with a cold, cold wind. I wasn't dressed well for the afternoon, so I spent the first part of the show jumping event praying for clear rounds so I could go inside the VIP club and warm up before a jump-off. (Riders who clear the first round compete in a tie-breaking jump-off. Once two riders clear the course, there is a guaranteed jump-off and I don't have to shoot the first-round competition after that). Well, it happened right away, so I spent the first round (about an hour and a half) inside keeping warm. There were 10 horses in the jump-off, so I had to freeze for a while during that. But it could have been much, much worse.

Jack had Brigid to himself that day because Margaret and Patricia went with Grandma and Granddad Downs to a horse show in Malone. Grandma is grooming Margaret and Patricia for participation in horse shows. I think she's reliving the glory days of the Downs Family Equestrien. They've been learning all they can for their first show July 15. She outfitted them from head to toe. They are adorable in their riding gear. They came back all excited about participating. Cousins Stephanie and Tim can give them some pointers. We'll all be going to Buffalo for a few days at the end of the month so the girls will have something to talk about.

Speaking of riding, Brigid has been on her first horse, of course. Daddy put her on the saddle and she wasn't too afraid. I have pictures of Patricia and Margaret at this age up in the saddle. Guess I'll have to get one of Baby B as well.

On Monday, both Margaret and Patricia begin a three-week workshop in theater for kids. They'll be working toward a production of "Seussical the Musical" for the end of the three weeks. They're excited and it gives them something to do as well. The afternoons are spent watching the baby until I get home from work (not too late), so this will be a nice break for them. Then it's off to Buffalo for four nights. Hope to see a lot of family, do some visiting with friends (Chet and Mar, hope you're reading) and do some fun things around the area. Grandma Wright is going to take us to Vidler's in East Aurora (been there with Chet and Mar. It's a great, true five and dime). And I hope to take the girls to the zoo.

This weekend, the girls will be hanging out with Daddy because I have to go back to Lake Placid for the next grand prix at the horse show. So they'll watch a parade being held on Saturday. It's kind of a combination of July 4 festivities and celebration of the Mayor's Cup sailboat race being held Saturday. I hope we have warmer, brighter weather than we did last weekend. I don't want to freeze again!

B O N U S Photo

Brigid digs into strawberries and whipped cream while Daddy prays she doesn't get it all over his work shirt.