The Best Discovery Ever (If You're Ansley)

We have been going on lots of family bike rides lately. We usually go to the Greenway, which is really pretty and peaceful (read: no cars coming and me screaming Stop Ansley STOP!) and where we prefer to ride. We actually bike down the Greenway, stop and grab some dinner, and then bike back. It makes me feel like I live in this cute quaint little town where you can bike everywhere, even though this is the only place we bike to. But anyway, on Saturday Ansley begged and begged to go on a neighborhood ride, so we obliged. Ansley is a pro now on her new bike, and Christian rides behind John in his little bike seat.

We decided to go across the street from our neighborhood, where there is a nice quiet road to ride on. So even though I lost many years of my life crossing a busy street while Ansley slipped on her pedal and froze in the middle of the busy road, once we made it, it was nice and quiet. Well, if you don't count when John ran into a fence and his bike fell over, knocking Christian's (fortunately helmet covered) head to the ground, resulting in much screaming from him, and more years knocked off of my life.

So we finally make it to the peaceful part. And as we round the curve, we come upon the most amazing sight EVER to our six year old's eyes. It made all the screaming and crying and saying things that I may have regretted later totally worth it.

Wondering what it could be?

Say hello to Oliver.

Isn't he sweet? Despite the fact that horses are freakishly large animals that really could do me and my small children much harm in an instant if they really wanted to, Oliver had a sweet charm to him that Ansley couldn't seem to resist. Christian even found him quite amusing.

What could be more delightful than a beautiful charming horse on a beautiful spring day?

Why, two charming horses.

Meet Walsh.

Horses kind of have sad eyes, don't they?

By the way, we have no idea what their actual names are - we named them ourselves. Okay, I named them. And the names have stuck. Walsh looks like he's older than Oliver, but he seems to be the dominant one. And Christian pointed out rather quickly that they were both boys. We were just thankful no one else was around. Do all boys notice these things?
Ansley thought it was great that they would eat grass right out of her hand. Christian just liked looking at them and petting them, but didn't want anywhere near their huge teeth. Horses really are big animals, have I mentioned? They are a little intimidating.

We noticed, sadly, that these horses seem a bit neglected. They don't look like they have been brushed in years, and don't even get me started on their hooves.

And so this is where Ansley wants the story to take a turn and involve her.

She thought we should go and nicely ask the owners if we could take care of the horses for them. She would be happy to come by and brush them, she says, and feed them apples and give them lots of love. I have no doubt on that love part.

But we were a little hesitant to just go knock on a stranger's door and propose all this. So, instead, we copied down their address and wrote them a note. I introduced ourselves, and said that my daughter is madly in love with their horses. (I didn't tell them we had re-named their horses.) I asked if they would mind if we stopped by to feed them apples and carrots on occasion. Ansley drew a picture of Oliver and Walsh, and so did Christian, we included them in the note and sent it off today. I'll let you know if we get a response. 

Perhaps I should have included this picture.

As we are all leaving, Ansley has to rush back and give Walsh and Oliver kisses good-bye.

I certainly hope their owners are nice people, who wouldn't mind a six year old girl stopping by with her Mama and Daddy and brother and loving on their horses. Nothing would thrill her more.

Comments

[Sara Bouman]

Fun! Six years old is the perfect age for horse obsession to begin. =)

[Amber]

Wow! Ansley has no fear does she? If Ella Beth ends up like her (liking bugs and animals with large teeth), I am in for a long, hard road! Can't wait to hear the response to your letter. Such a sweet idea. :)

[Heather]

LOVE the picts! Hope you hear from them!