Horseback riding with Sonja

With a passel of kids in our house I needed to develop a system; actually I've developed several "systems" over the years, but the one I'm thinking of today is our "week" system.  Each week it is someone's "week".  During that person's week I take care of those pesky items that need doing but fall to the wayside.  For example, I might remember that that person needs to see the dentist, or needs a new pair of shoes, or needs a haircut.  That is the sort of thing we tackle on a person's week.  That person also has special privileges such as picking the movie to watch or running errands with dad.  I also try to incorporate some special parent/child time.  These often involve food, ie. trip to the ice cream shop or out for coffee.  The weeks rotate down through the family age-wise, from Luke to Sonja; then Jay and I get our week too!  ( Last week was our week and  we went on a double date with the Quandts to see Seven Days in Utopia.)
Sonja's week was a couple of weeks ago and she had been longing to go horseback riding.  I located a stable that offers trail rides through the forest preserve.  Sonja was so excited; she even laid out her special horseback riding outfit, including her cowboy boots, the night before.  When we actually met the horses I expected her to be a little nervous, but she approached riding with her usual confidence.  She rode a buckskin horse named Bucky.  I rode a bay named Takota.  The wrangler held a rope that was attached to Bucky's bridle so I felt she was in good hands.  It was a pretty ride through the woods and meadows.  Sonja loved it so much she has been begging for lessons.  I will have to think on that.

On our way to the ride she told me what job she would like when she grows up.  She says that she will be secretary to the president and that the president will be Sofie.  Emma will be the White House cook and Annaliese will be the waitress.  And of course Linnea will be the official window washer because there are so many windows and so many visitors!