Horse & Pony Camp... highlight of Gabby's summer!

Gabby’s third and final week-long camp of the summer was attending a horse & pony camp the last week of July. The anticipation was incredible and the camp was truly a little girl’s dream!

The first camp she went to was an all-day swim & tennis camp with two of her best friends from CA, Sofia & Giovanni, (their family moved here around the same time we did – crazy coincidence!). So, she spent the first sunny, warm week of July swimming in pools, playing tennis, and doing some Independence Day-related arts & crafts.nGabby really enjoyed the time with her friends, but also made a few new friends which is great. The second camp she attended was soccer camp.

 

The Horse & Pony Camp was the camp she anticipated most and it was everything she dreamed it would be and more. I was amazed the first time I saw the ranch… so serene and beautiful. Literally made you dream for a minute or two what it would be like to be a horse living on that ranch, under the care of the family who owned it. It was in the middle of nowhere… but honestly, the most beautiful horse ranch set-up I’ve ever seen.

 

Gabby spent the week learning about horses… everything from how to feed and handle them, to how to bathe, groom and clean up after them. She learned about the different types of horses and saddles. And, most importantly, she spent a LOT of time riding the horses and ponies. She was in HEAVEN!! So much in fact, that the first day I went to pick her up, she seemed really upset. When inquiring more about why she was so upset, it was determined that she was upset that I came to pick her up. She didn’t want to go home! This was both a relief (glad that she was having fun!) and OMG moment (seriously – you don’t want to come home?!).

 

As luck would have it, one of our neighbors was one of the assistants at the camp. And, they were kind enough to offer to bring Gabby to and from camp a few days to help me out. Gabby LOVED this, because it meant she arrived almost an hour early each day. This allowed her extra time to help with feeding the chickens and bunnies, and watching and helping with the ponies.

 

At the end of the week, the campers put on a horse show for us. Each camper rode the horse through an equestrian obstacle course (no jumps of course, all obstacles were grounded). And, then each camper was presented with a big ribbon and personalized scrapbook that included loads of photos of them riding and helping with the horses, and also pictures holding chickens and bunnies, etc. It was really cute. The campers each all received a cute t-shirt at the beginning of the week (which I think Gabby just HAD to wear 4 of the 5 days!).

 

I was SO impressed with the camp and I would highly recommend. It was the most expensive of her summer camps, but also her favorite and most memorable. Rocco and Giuliana also really enjoyed visiting the ranch on the last day with us to watch the horse show. After the show, Giuliana got to spend a lot of time sitting on a horse and petting many of them. And, both her and Rocco spent some quality time chasing and holding the chickens and bunnies.

Summer Soccer Camp

Gabby and Rocco both went to the Seattle Sounders Soccer camp in mid-July. It was a half day morning camp, so we’d drop them off at 9am and pick-up at 12noon. They had such a great time! Not only did Rocco tell me he loved it, but every day after camp he’d go out in the front yard and kick around the soccer ball… so cute! This was his very first camp and it was a big success. In addition to the camp, both Gabby and Rocco have been in a weekly soccer league since spring. Gabby is taking a break during the fall, but Rocco chose to continue.

Last winter, I was not planning to send Rocco to any camps this summer because his pre-school program operates year-round. But, due to the fact that I have a newborn who hates riding in the car, and his school and camp are in two different directions, not to mention I was also busy with work at the time… I needed one daily drop-off and pick-up location in order to keep my sanity. It was a VERY good decision! J

Gabby also said she had a lot of fun at soccer camp. I think she also picked up a few new skills at the camp which is great. But, even more, I think she might have enjoyed all the give-a-ways, and the fact that one of her best friends from school was also there. It was a really well run camp and I was impressed with the set-up, coaches, location… and yes, all the give-a-ways. Each child picked up a brand new soccer ball which they got to color/personalize, a camp t-shirt, a Seattle Sounders scarf, and insulated lunch bags.   

Gabby and Rocco have also been participating in a weekly soccer league since spring. With school starting, and spending 6 hours at gymnastics each week... Gabby decided to take a break from soccer for the fall. But, Rocco has chosen to continue with his soccer Saturday.