My best memories with kids concern skiing and
riding. My kids started riding when they were 3 or so. They started
skiing when they were 6 and 9, we started them together. It was just the
best family time ever. For whatever reason, those horses and ponies took better
care of those kids than they did the adults. I took them on their first 35
competitive ride when they were 6 and 9. Other than me giving my horse
heat bumps from turning around so much to encourage those kids ('it is just a
little further' which was repeated after 5 miles until the finish), those kids
did just great. I was their worst problem as I was nervous Nellie
mom. They helped me in the barn with putting up hay, cleaning stalls,
etc. It didn't take long before they were skiing with us either. Now
they worry about old mom on the slopes. I always felt that they learned a
great appreciation of the out of doors as well as good responsibility. Dr.
Quackenbush's aunt Jeanie
