Sydney Rides Again

And again.

Sydney went horseback riding for the first time last weekend. We went up to Tama Hills Recreation Center near Yokota Air Base and stayed at the lodge overnight with our friends the Martins.

As soon as we arrived and saw the horses, Sydney was game for a pony ride. She rode Pine and was so pleased that Pine had blond hair and brown eyes like she does! (At least I'm guessing that's why she reminded us of this repeatedly the remainder of the evening.) It was $3 for once around the ring, which was entirely too short, even for a 3-year-old's attention span.

But the promise of mini-golf (also a first) was a deterrent from a tantrum. Brian, with Miranda's help, coached Sydney with her swing. But unfortunately both her parents suck at mini-golf, so it is most likely not her destiny to be a golfer if we're any indication of inherent talent level. But it was fun!

Sydney even let Miranda on the green. Here they are putting around together. We gave Miranda a handicap--she could use her hands. We hoped she'd help us get our balls in the hole.

Although most times she tried to steal them from the hole.

"I'm sorry, did you need this yellow ball?"

No, that's okay. You keep it, cutie.

The next morning before we headed home, Brian suggested we buy Sydney a "double pony ride"--two times around the ring! This time she rode Sakura. She spotted Pine in the pasture from a distance, but she was equally happy to get on Sakura, a larger pony who also had blond hair and brown eyes. "She looks like a natural," the trainer suggested. I guess her small stature could come in handy for a career as a jockey, that is if she's not going to be a gymnast, a ballerina, or a golfer.