Paetin's Birthday Ride! (:

 As I'd mentioned in the previous post, Paetin wanted to go horse back riding for her birthday! In my family growing up, at around age five or six, my parents stopped doing parties with presents, and started doing experiences. I LOVED this growing up, and we'd decided to carry out the tradition. So year one for Paetin, we headed to MacDonald's Ranch in Scottsdale, and took her out for a ride!! And obviously, she was thrilled with it!! <3

First of all, let me tell you how AMAZING this ranch is!! Everything is free when you walk in. They have a great petting zoo. Pigs, chickens, peacocks, donkeys, rabbits and all! Suuper great! Not to mention, they have saloons, taverns, banks, and a whole city set up with cut out photo spots and all for the kids! And did I mention this was all free?? Oh, don't let me forget that they have pony rides on the horses [they take you around the city two or so times] and well.. .  that's free too!!! Of course they ask that you tip your guide, but really, after all that they offer to the public, who wouldn't want to tip them??? Ah. I wish I'd found this place sooner! I can't wait to check them out in the fall for the Pumpkin season!! <3 And I won't deny it, I'm definitely considering a birthday party here for Camy. (:

Now, back to our "Birthday Adventure"! When we got to the ranch, Paetin was really nervous to go check out the horses with me. And man, do they have some pretty ones! We figured we had time for her to warm up to them . . but did kind've get the feeling that this just might not go over as well as we'd hope. So we walked on through the "town" and over to the petty zoo with the littles. [Sorry for the lack of photos of this, but I was really busy with Rylee at that specific time]. They had fun playing around and checking out the new animals. With Paetin's reservations at the horses, we decided to try out the pony rides to see how she handled that. . and make the decision about the trail ride from there. (: Well, let me tell you, SHE LOVED IT!! Oh I was so proud to see her handle it so well! To be honest, she had no interest in petting her horses face, but was so full of glee to hop up and get moving around! (:

Since the "trial" pony ride was such a success, we decided to go ahead with the one hour trail ride. Talk about nerve wracking for me! My little 5-year-old out on a large horse for the first time, completely alone! It was a lot of fun for us, and I won't deny that I enjoyed the ride as well. <3 I can't wait to see what she wants to do from here, we've been considering horse camp next Summer [you have to be six] and we've decided if she is still into horses by then, we'll give it a go! Happy Birthday Paetin!! And thanks for taking me for the ride! <3