Pony ride

We had an experience this weekend of pony rides and a petting zoo. Of course this all took place in the parking lot of a car dealership...a Ford dealership. That fact did not deter us from braving the salesmen and Ford cars surrounding us so that our daughter could ride on the ponies and pet fluffy animals. As you can see, Kira loved it. We ran errands Saturday morning with the promise of a surprise later in the day. When we decided to eat out (bagels at a local bagel shop), Kira was excited and thought that was her big surprise. After telling her that her surprise had not yet happened, she became ecstatic that she was getting two great surprises in one day. By the time that we arrived there, Phoenix had fallen asleep so we divided and conquered. Patrick took Kira to the ponies (because he is way better with the camera than I am) and I stayed in the truck with Phoenix while he slept (no use in trying to hold Phoenix sleeping while we stood in a line.)

1. Kira is so excited about riding a pony that she gave a real cheeser of a smile and showed her gum to the world too.

2. Look Daddy, no hands.

3. What just happened back there? Eeewww! Something stinks.

4. How Kira spent most of the time during her ride: petting the pony.

5. One last lovin' before the ride is over.

Side note:

Kira's reaction to "eating out" in a bagel shop made me think about our parenting. We have had many discussions with Kira about the whole idea of being thankful for what you get. Sometimes her cavalier attitude about her toys, clothes, and activities that she gets to participate in just makes me crazy. Some examples of comments:

Mom: Be careful with that toy. Playing with it that way might break it.

Daughter: Well, if it breaks, you can buy me a new one.

Mom: We are here looking for PJs for your brother.

Daughter: But I never get anything new.

Mom: What about the new dress shoes we got for you yesterday?

Daughter: That is not clothes. I need new clothes.

Mom: Because the entire wardrobe full of clothes at home belong to whom?

Daughter: They are mine, but I have worn them before.

Daughter: (Holding a picture of herself at the Little Gym) I really need to start going back there.

Mom: Some day. Right now you have swim lessons.

Daughter: That is only one day a week though. Think of all those other days. And Saturdays.

I started wondering if giving things to Kira without her understanding the values of it was having an affect on her perception of "deserving" things as opposed to being thankful for them. I suppose that some of her lack of knowledge and self-focused behavior is age appropriate. (I know some adults who are more self focused than our kids, but that is no excuse not to expect more out of our kids.) We have been more aware of praising Kira when she is thankful for what she gets and reinforcing that she doesn't get to complain about things that are given to her. When Kira was truly excited about eating out, I had the joy of seeing how Kira is maturing.