A Horse Drawn Carriage for A Birthday, Dance, or Other Special Event

A Horse Drawn Carriage Ride ---- A Horse Lover's Dream-Come-True
She need not be a princess to arrive at a her special occasion by horse drawn carriage.    There are services available in most areas throughout the country who can provide this dream-come-true for you and the horse lover in your life.

Find a Horse Drawn Carriage
These services are sometimes called "Liveries", so look for Livery in your local phone book.   One example is Ironton Livery in the Allentown, PA area. 

Other times, this service is available through a horse farm or equestrian center, such as the Carriage Service available through Blue Star Equiculture

A great way to find a horse drawn carriage is through Carriage Operators of North America at www.CONA.org.    Check that the drivers and vehicles are licensed by your state.

What's Possible?
Of course, we need to be realistic with what is possible.   No matter how well trained, horses are wild animals, and need to be in comfortable situations to do their jobs.  It may not be appropriate to have the horse bring you right to the occasion venue, so, be open to other ideas.  

Instead of arriving at the busy conference center for the prom, perhaps the horse drawn carriage can transport the couple from your home to her date's parents home.       Perhaps it can bring the wedding couple to a park after the ceremony, rather than to the reception hall - 20 miles across town. 

Or, ask the carriage service operator for suggestions - she likely knows of a beautiful spot for a carriage ride on your special day. A lovely ride in a scenic spot, all dressed in her finery will be a dream come true.... transportation between point A and B is hardly the point.

The cost will likely be significantly less if you meet at their location.   Expect to pay about 60$ for a 30 minute ride for 2.    More if the driver, horses, and carriage need to meet you at your location (and then drive home afterwards)

Special Events Made More Special with Horses
Consider taking your daughter for a horse drawn carriage ride..... 

• On her Graduation Day.... in cap and gown, before the ceremony.
• On her Birthday... perhaps with a friend, perhaps with Mom and Dad.
• Before the Prom or Homecoming Dance --  in her fancy dress.... with or without her date.
• Before her First Communion, Bat Mitzvah, or Quincinera (remember, the carriage need not take her to the venue).

Whatever you choose, it will be a cherished memory forever.
I'd love to hear about it!
Cindy

Birthday Party Time! Scavenger Hunt!

Jessica requested a scavenger hunt at her party. This turned out to be a lot of fun for me, as well as for the girls. And, it was a truly free party idea!

After figuring out what she had in mind.... this is what I came up with:

The Puzzle (Jess envisioned puzzle pieces, and the girls working together to read a message)

• Cut a piece of cardboard about 12"x15",
  
• I wrote "Let's stuff some bears" using sharpie markers
  
• Some words in one color /one size lettering
• Others in different colors/different size lettering to make it a bit harder. :)).
  
• Drew some swirls and hearts - to add more design to guide putting the pieces back together.
• Randomly cut the cardboard into pieces (using my electric scissors, of course)

The Clues

• Made 2 clues on paper for each girl, plus a small envelope for each with puzzle pieces inside.
• The paper clues were folded in half, with the girl's name on the outside. Then folded in half again. We knew some clues would not really be hidden, so we wanted to be sure each girl had to find her OWN next clue.
• I wrote each girl's name on the inside flap of the envelopes
  

Example clues

• Buzzzzzz - the clothes are dry (next clue is on top of the dryer)
• I'd like some ice, please (next clue is in the ice dispenser on the fridge)

The Hunt

• I demonstrated where to see the names on the paper clues and envelopes, and gave a few sample clues and how to think of the answer.
• I stressed that it was NOT a race and NOT a contest.
  
• Handed the first paper clue to each girl (names were on these as well)
• The teen girls and I did help out if the girls needed it to figure out the clue.
• Once they had their 2nd paper clue and their envelope, they were to bring it all to the table.

Solving the puzzle

• Once everyone was back at the table, they dumped out their puzzle pieces.
• It did turn out harder than I expected for them to put the puzzle together. If I were doing it again for age 7 girls, I would make less pieces and perhaps use a background image (rather than plain cardboard) to give them more to go on to match up the pieces.

The Surprise

• With my help, they solved "Let's Stuff Some Bears" (they never did get the puzzle pieces fully put together, but enough to figure the words)
• I had purchased a Lil Lovables Stuff n Fluff factory and some extra bear 'skins" so each girl could stuff her own mini bear.
  
• The girls "freaked out" when they realized this was what the puzzle said - and loved making (and thus getting) a new little bear. Not even jessica knew we were going to be doing this.
  

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This scavenger hunt idea could be done with girls or boys, at birthday parties for age 7 and up (its best if the kids can at least read most of the clue, but it will also be fine if there is a non-reading child, as long as someone remembers to help him). Can also be fun for adults!

You can easily vary how easy/hard the clue is, as well as how simple the reading is (even use a picture if you have a younger attendee) thus accommodating - and making it fair - even with a wide range of players.  (I also took into account the kids who had never been to our house before)

It could be done outside in a yard or playground - or - inside a home, classroom, or other familiar space.

If you try it - be sure to check and double check your clues. When writing the clues, you might also write the answer to the previous clue, so you will know where to hide it! I found it easiest to make all clues for each child, then move on to the next child.

While I did spend money on the "surprise activity", I spent nothing on the scavenger hunt itself
The message could read "time for cake" or any other activity you were already planning on.

Enjoy!

How about a Country HoeDown? (What is a Hoedown? and What do I wear to a hoedown?)

Last night, my daughter and I went to a "Country HoeDown"(or is it Hoe Down???) arranged by the local Girl Scout Council for girls ages 5-8. Living in metropolitan Philadelphia, country and hoedowns are not a big part of life here. Leaving some wondering what is a Country Hoe Down? - and - What should my daughter wear to a Country Hoe Down?

Last year, this event was called a Western Dance. It is a dance with Country & Western themed decorations, Country music, and a bit of square dancing. I like the Country Hoe Down name for it. Hannah Montana Movie anyone??

Sadly, the DJ did not have the Hannah's Hoedown Throwdown song to play. But, he showed the girls several simple country dancing moves - "Round The Circle", "Do-Si-Do", and "Boot Stomp". He tried another he thought was called "Going to Meeting" - but it was a bit too hard to get the hang of given the young age and high numbers of girls.

The girls (and moms) had fun choosing what to wear to the Hoedown. Even city-slickers likely have what they need in their closets! I saw lots of jeans and jean skirts, of course. Plus - cowgirl boots - including PINK cowgirl boots! Plenty of brown and black too.

Also popular were prairie skirts- elastic waist skirts made of light weight cotton, sewn in multiple tiers, to create a full "circle" skirt. These skirts make for great swing and swirl when dancing. We saw lots of tops and shirts with horses, white blouses, and plaid button-front shirts.

To make something from your closet a bit more Hoedown ready....

• Add lace or fringe to the bottom hem of a denim skirt - or any skirt. You can get some eyelett fabric, lace by the yard, or fringe by the yard from a fabric store. (for the fringe, check with the drapery supplies) Just sew it on with a few long stitches, so you can easily remove it later.
  
• Wear a full, lacy slip under any full skirt - to give it more poof. If the slip can hang below the skirt - all the better!
  
• Use long brown or tan shoelaces through the belt loops of regular jeans or a straight skirt
• Grab a white or striped or plaid button up blouse and tie a bandanna around your neck (bandannas match all colors and all prints!)
  

For your/her hair....

• Fold a bandanna in half and fold over your head as a kerchief
• Wear two low side ponytails. Perhaps tie some scrap fabric around them... nothing finished or fancy
• Wear a low back ponytail, and top it with a cowgirl hat.

Whatever you wear... make sure you are comfortable! I definitely recommend layers - no matter when or where your Country Hoe Down is! These events get hot from all the people and all the dancing! But, can also be cooler than expected, depending on the venue.

And, make sure to wear your dancing shoes (or boots!) . Enjoy line dancing (yes, yes, the Macerana, even at a Hoedown), square dancing, the "Cotton Eyed Joe", and plain old regular top 40 style "dancing".

Have fun now, ya hear?

Cindy - the HorseLoversMama