The Bunch Starts Back to School and the Horse is Broken

I guess we have good timing on starting back to school. It had been so unseasonably cool that I was worried we may start too early and not be able to go out and do things in the "nice" weather (low 90's is nice for TX in August). However, things took a turn for the hotter this week with temps in the triple digits and humidity levels crazy high. It literally feels like a sauna out there. I feel so sorry for all the animals.  They all have multiple waters out, access to shade, and are checked on multiple times a day. The horse even gets a sponge bath to help cool her off on the really humid days. Two of the kids were finally able to ride the horse! We were so excited. It felt like we had a real horse and not just a large dog. Unfortunately, two days later she went lame. It was not caused by the kids 10 minute ride, but not being well taken care of during her formative years and old age. At this point it looks like she will recover and we will be able to ride again, but we have x-rays next week and that will let us know the extent of her damage. We aren't expecting it to be worse case scenario, but just in case we are prepared. It sounds like something life would throw at us. You know get a horse for a couple of months and then have to put it down. My neurotic behavior about the horses worked in my favor and we caught the issue when it was still fairly mild. Hopefully, she can make a recovery. She will never be completely healed because it is not possible once lameness shows up, but since she isn't a working horse (being lead around with kids for a few minutes isn't considered working)  she should be well enough to do that. She will never be able to do much more than that though, but to be fair in her entire life she has never done more than that so not much would change. The chickens have now celebrated the 2 year mark with us (except for the one we found roadside last October). The farm life has been a lot of work, but fun. I don't think, no I know, we won't have animals later in life, but for now it is fun and teaches the kids a great deal of responsibility in a world where that is becoming hard to come by for kids.

Maisy is pool ready! (not really she prefers the water sprinkler or unfortunately the septic sprinkler)

Enjoying a day at the water park

Our friends joined us for the day.

T can't stand water in his eyes. He was 8 before he quit wearing goggles in the shower!

You have to have sno cones and smoothies after swimming. (It's in the rule book)

We went to the library end of year party and there was fun animals to learn about.

My nephew turned 12! Everyone is getting so old! (except me...holding at 24)

We picked about 60lbs of wild grapes at my father in law's house.

We made 4 pots this size with what we picked.

This was an all day project.

But the yummy jam makes it all worth it. #Bestgrapejamever

L rode the horse. We were so happy that day.

She wasn't thrilled at being ridden.

She was a little more spirited for T who rode sans saddle.

It was fun having a horse you could actually ride.

Apparently my phone was hacked and these were the culprits.