Horseback riding

Hope has been in this wonderful phase lately where she prefers me over everyone, wants to be with me all the time, and feels very "romantic and cuddly" about me (especially around bedtime). I wondered if she was realizing we wouldn't be together as much once she's back at school, but she doesn't seem sad or worried about anything. It seems like she's just way into me right now, and I LOVE it!

I proposed we have a date, just the two of us. Instead of getting pedicures or something ordinary, we opted for an hour-long trail ride on horseback. It was so, so fun!

For one thing, these were not ponies. They were real, big horses! Hope was on the littlest one (Miami) and even she was pretty big. Miami also had some spirit - she occasionally trotted a little to catch up with the group if she had lagged behind, once she took a little hop over a log, and at one exciting point, she leaned against a dead tree and it FELL DOWN! Thank God nobody in our group was in the way!

I'm probably making it seem like a crazy ride, but it really wasn't. My horse, Country Girl, was about as laid back as could be. The scenery was gorgeous, the weather was perfect, our trail guide was helpful and pleasant. And mostly, it was such a cool bonding experience with Hope! We giggled at each other the whole time, and we've enjoyed it ever since.