Monday, on the way home from our Des Moines adventure, we stopped in Story City to take in the outlet mall. Remembering that I had ridden the carousel when I was little, we swung by after lunch to see if it was open so Ellie and daddy could ride it. (Mommy knows better than to ride things that go around and around when she’s 8 months pregnant! As Ellie would say…mommy…smart)

It was open – and wow. She got on and after taking her time picking a horse to ride, chose this lovely steed. She wasn’t too sure when Nathan sat her on it, and she immediately wanted off. Nathan and I are both thinking this could be the longest 3-4 minutes of everyone’s lives…especially when the thing started up (and it doesn’t start up slow, either). Her eyes got as big as saucers and you could just see the panic. But instead of tears, Nathan convinced her to hang on to the pole and by the third time around, she was smiling and having the time of her life.

After she got off…and gave her horse a “thank you” pat…all she could say was “ride horse again!”

Success!