Tabitha’s tenth birthday gift

Instead of a birthday present, the kids VERY often ask for a special Mommy-date or Daddy-date.  This year Tab asked for a Mommy-date.

About a year ago she’d mentioned she hadn’t ever ridden a horse.  That became plan A.  Thankfully, my prayers were answered and the weather was PERFECT for our trail ride at Heberle Stables.   Tabitha did not know where we are going and as we pulled onto the property and Tab figured out what the sign said she was tremendously tickled.

We got our helmets on

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and our guide, Will led us to our horses.  Tab rode Phil and I rode Dan. 

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These guys are about 16-17 years old.  They are brothers and Percherons.  We rode around Ellison Park.  It was beautiful. 

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This lovely young man, Will, gave us a great tour. 

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We walked through their barn after we were done and met at least 20 other horses. 

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We ran back home to change clothes and grab my wallet, and then headed to Cracker Barrel for a birthday lunch.

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We then headed to the mall where I asked Tabitha if she would like to get her ears pierced.  She enthusiastically replied in the affirmative.

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She’s always super stoic with pain and I knew she could handle this.  She seriously impressed the woman doing it and the family standing by watching.  It made me tear up a little, but she did amazingly well. 

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She picked crosses.  At first they seemed to be out of them, but the sweet attendant, Maria, went and searched in the back to find them. 

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It was SUCH a fun birthday date. 
I love this 10 year old!

Something new

I was a parent almost 16 years before we had a hair-cutting incident.

Johanna shocked us all to the core when she cut off a bit of Katriel’s hair. 
Her older siblings watched in rapt attention as she and I discussed her actions.
Even she couldn’t answer why.
While I was certainly angry, I was more astonished than anything else.
Johanna was heartbroken at her transgression.

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Oh, yeah, that’s how we do Tuesdays around here apparently. 

Dad and Tab dinner.

 

Ba and Poppy, Nan and Nene joined us for Alfredo pasta and chicken.
I won’t recall the frantic last minute trips to Walmart or the grill fire.

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It wasn’t the first birthday dinner Daddy shared with Tabby.

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Oh – LOL. 

Trip prep

Eight people.
9 nights land; 7 nights sea.
Theme parks, Caribbean islands, and dressy cruise ship dinners.

Oh yeah – we’ve got this!

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Tab is TEN!

Tab’s 10th birthday fell ON a Saturday.
We decided to let her have a swim party at the Perinton Aquatics Center.
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We dined on pizza in the yard.  The LORD provided a GLORIOUS day!!

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Katriel was so happy to have her friend Addy come, too.

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We played a quick game of pass the parcel in the house.

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And we had a little time to play outside before we left for the Aquatics Center.
These are siblings fighting siblings.  Not some weird gladiator-type party game!!

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Then we piled in the Par-tay vans!

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We got our bands and instructions…

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Grabbed a picture…

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And went for fun!

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We had a rockin’ lifeguard.  I think he dances when he walks.  He clearly enjoys his job.

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Happy birthday, baby girl!

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