Just a Little Bit of Paint

We decided the best option for decorating pumpkins with Jada was to paint them with washable paint. Carving is obviously too advanced (even for I sometimes), stickers she will continuously peel off and play with, markers smear, so paint it was. Jada was a bit tentative at the start. Then her artistic abilities came flying out as she dunked the same brush into every color (and I mean every, she does not color discriminate). In the end her pumpkin was covered in rainbows of globbed on paint that took a good 24 hours to dry. I think we will have to take out the paints more often for craft time.

A Stroll in the Woods

Jeff and I took Jada for a little stroll in the woods. We don't call it hiking anymore like the good old days in CO because Florida lacks any change in elevation. I must admit there is a lot more wildlife to see when wandering the outdoors in FL than in CO but I still long for mountains. I guess another positive to FL wandering is that Jada can do it on her own without being carried in a pack. For any of my FL friends you will be surprised to know that this small park was actually in Port Charlotte. Jada thought it was great fun and she already appears to have an appreciation for nature. She stops to watch butterflies and look at flowers all along the trail.

A Bunny Update

Yeah!!! The bunnies have flown the coop or at least hopped out of the horse runs. Just in time too because it looks like we may have a few rainy days ahead of us.

It's the Great Pumpkin

Jada had her first pumpkin picking experience this weekend. She thought it was very exciting running around picking up every small pumpkin and even some sexually explicit shaped gourds, which thankfully we convinced her to leave behind. As I have mentioned before Jada feels the need to ride everything not just horses and apparently pumpkins are no exception.

Giddee Up!!!

This is Jada's first stick pony and she thinks its great fun. She calls it Tye but then again she calls all horses Tye now. It's probably because its easier than saying horse or neigh. She refuses to call any animal by there name instead (our fault) she calls them by the sound they make. So ducks are "Quack Quack", goats are "Baa", cows are "moo", dogs are a panting sound not the typical woof, and even camels have a sound, they spit. Being the bird person that I am, she even distinguishes between owls "hoo hoo", turkeys "lobble lobble" (kind of a yodeling sound), and songbirds "tweet tweet". If you ask her where the House Wren (the species I studied in college) is she can pick out the picture on the fridge.

Hi! Hi! Bye! Bye!

A New Hangout

Bret Michaels has discovered the outside. He usually spent most of his time back in the stall (probably because the peacocks would pick on him) but lately he is in the outer part of the enclosure all the time. He is also the only one who actually perches in the big tree we have out there. Maybe it is because he is the only one small enough or not fat enough to still fly.

A Playground Again

Last weekend we fixed up Jada's playground for her. It has been so hot that she has not used it all summer and now with the weather finally cooperating a bit at least in the morning and evening she was ready to play again. We had rubber mats on the ground but the sun was starting to deteriorate them. We decided to put a really soft mulch on top of the mats so it is super squishy now. She is so excited to play outside again.

Really!! There????

Mama bunny thought that my nice new horse runs I just had built (so I could use for my horses) would be a great place to have her little ones. I didn't notice these guys (or girls) until after the horses spent half a day in their runs. One was still in his nest (just the imprint of pony's foot in the dirt) and one was somehow moved about 8 feet from the nest. Both are fine and miraculously were not smashed into the ground by an 800 pound horse. I considered bringing them in so that I could use my nice new (did I say that already) horse runs but the thought of feeding baby bunnies was not appealing. My rehabber friends I am sure completely understand this. Also mama's milk is always best. So it looks like the horses are going to be stuck with only their stalls for the next two weeks.

We Actually Think Alike

Today Jada and I stopped for our usual Burger King veggie burger lunch. We always go through the drive thru and eat in the car. There was a fly in our burger probably stuck in the lettuce so we went in to get a new and fresh one minus the vegetation and extra protein. While walking through the parking lot, I noticed an EarthBalance truck and what looked a lot like the back of Jeff's head parked in the same parking lot. Apparently he thought B.K.'s veggie burger for lunch and eaten in the car was also a good idea. So Jada and I ended up eating lunch with Jeff in his truck. In the same parking lot there was a "homeless" (not sure if he really was but looked like it) man asking for spare change (more like dollars). Jeff said he was going to give him a coupon he had for a free subway sub but noticed he was eating a burger already. I said of course he was, Jada and I just bought him a whopper value meal.

Why We Love Tye

Tye is the most friendly, handsome, and kind horse there could be. Pony who is half his size picks on him but Tyler rarely defends himself. He's a lover not a fighter. The neighbor calls him "studly and her boyfriend" and loves to just come and brush and snuggle with him. Jada loves to give him kisses and feed him treats which is most definitely a hit with Tye as well. I think he is great to ride and we have our first show coming up in a little over a week. So Tyler we all love you.

Just Because

Bye Bye Tortoise

We have been caring for an injured gopher tortoise for a couple of weeks now. He had the misfortune of meeting up with a car as you can see from his shell. Today I decided it was time for him to venture out on his own. Jada has been quite fond of visiting him in his stall so to make sure she understood he would no longer be there, I had her come with me to release him. We said our goodbyes to the little fella ("Bye Bye Tee Tee") and let him on his merry way.

My Bathroom is Finally Done

We have finally completed remodeling my bathroom. This weekend we spray painted the closet doors to finish it up. It is beautiful, I love it. The shower is so big and roomy and Jada loves to shower with me, which also stops me from worrying what she is tearing apart while I am in it. She has plenty of space to splash around on the side without being pelted with a spray of water. Those of you who know me, know that in general I think showering is a time sucker that just wastes away your day. Not to say that I don't enjoy being fresh and clean and yes I do shower daily (very necessary after a morning in the barn). With my new and improved bathroom I actually don't mind spending time in it.

Kitties Are You Hungry?

What happens when Jada wants to feed the kitties? I am slightly impressed that she managed not to get any of it in their water bowl. Kali and Lily will never go hungry with Jada around.

Pony (Well Horsey) Rides

Tyler gave rides to the kiddies last night. Hailey came over and got to ride by herself even. Jada as usual laughed hysterical when we trotted and screamed when we stopped. If Tye was just a bit smaller I wouldn't ever think of getting Jada a pony. But I like 'em big.