Throwback Thursday

Ever since he was a tiny baby, Ryan was all about electronics, especially computers. 

He loved our dogs...

especially Maggie...

...but he never expressed an interest in horses.

I always swore I wouldn't be the kind of parent who forced her kid to embrace her passions, but I had to try, at least a little. When Ryan was five, I drove him up to my friend Trisha's farm in Wellington, Colorado.

Trish gave him a lesson on Arwen the Wonder Pony.

 Ryan looked pretty cute up there and seemed to have a good time.

Unfortunately, it didn't take. He did not ask to go back for another lesson. In fact, I'm pretty sure he forgot all about Arwen the minute we drove out of Trisha's driveway.

That didn't stop me from trying again.

Ryan on Arwen, 2007

Every couple years...

Ryan on Punky, 2009

I put him on a horse. 

Ryan on Trillium, 2011

And every couple years...

Ryan on Rev, 2013

it failed to take.

Ryan on Santana, 2016

Ryan turned eighteen last month and graduates from high school tomorrow. He is (technically) an adult, and I am finally ready to admit defeat. He's never going to be a rider.

And that's okay. He's an amazing kid person, and I am so proud to be his mother.