Kentucky Horse Park Run Club

A few weeks ago we finally took the advice of some friends and made the trip out to the Horse Park to see what this run club thing was all about. We took the double jogging stroller and made our way to the entrance, where we signed in and then began our journey.

Brinley getting to meet one of the horses.

This is the first horse that decided to come and meet us. I just whistled for it to come over since it had the blinders over it's eyes. 

His buddy came on over for a visit too.

After another little run we found a buddy who wanted to play. The kids wanted to get out and meet this one. Brinley really loved it.

Landon didn't really like the horse that much. He didn't even want to touch it.

He was my friend. We decided that he would be our last stop before finishing up our run.

 At the finish line was a nice little playground for the kids. We stayed about 30-40 minutes playing before deciding to head home for the night. However, when we turned the corner to head home we discovered a couple of miniature horses. The kids really wanted to meet them so we did.

Landon with his new buddy.

Brinley pulled up some grass to feed her new friend. This little lady loves animals.

We decided that since the kids had such a good time we would return the next week. I even decided to invite some of our friends so that they could enjoy seeing all the horses too.

We met our friends Maggie and Mac for an adventure through the horse park. All the kids loved meeting the horses.

This is the same horse that the kids and I met the week before. Apparently he was hungry and thought my arm looked good. Thankfully it didn't hurt.

Although there is four years difference between these two you would never have known it. This was the first time they had ever met and they acted like old pals.

Meeting one of the little horses.

Jennifer even stopped to get a picture with us this week.

Some pictures of our friends enjoying the horses and playground.

I love this bottom left picture of Landon feeding this enormous horse and he has no fear at all. It is so amazing that they can live a life without fear. They are only taught fear by the things that we teach them through their experiences.

There was only one week left of the horse park run club so we definitely wanted to try and make it because both kids really enjoy it. We were afraid that it might rain on us, but it held out long enough for us to complete 2 loops through the trail. We made sure to stop and enjoy the horses because it will be a while before we are back out to the horse park.

I don't know what Brinley will do in life, but if it is decided in the first few years of life then I am almost certain that she will work with animals. However, time will tell just what she grows up to be. I know that Jennifer and I will enjoy seeing whatever it is that both kiddos will do and just trying to enjoy the ride. Thanks for reading and God bless!

Kentucky Children's Garden

We had only been to the Kentucky Children's garden once since having kids and it was before Landon was born. We figured it was about time to try it out again. I invited some friends and we decided to meet up one day to explore it together.

Landon's first trip to the Kentucky Children's Garden.

The first stop of the day was the train. It was a huge hit and all the kids enjoyed chasing them all around the track. It was Thomas the Train and his friend Percy. 

Everybody decided that this log was the perfect place to play. Here is Landon in the log.

Colton taking his turn in the log.

Brinley enjoyed the log too. 

By far the thing the kids liked the most was the pond and boat. They had some bamboo poles with string and some bobbers on the ends of them. All the kids thought for sure they were going to catch themselves a fish.

Here is the whole crew on the boat trying to catch a fish. 

We were technically breaking the rules on the boat because there was a limit of only 2 children on the boat at a time. So when some other parents were not letting their children on the boat we decided it was time for the kids to share. We asked them to fish from the banks for a while. They were just as happy fishing from there too.

We even made it through wild flower maze. Landon refused to put down the nets from the fishing area as we ventured through the maze.

The sand pit was next for the kids to explore. What kid doesn't love some sand!

Exploring inside a little cave. The kids asked us to walk by and they were going to be bears and scare us.

They had a little garden and everybody decided that they wanted to water all the plants. This was a pretty neat water hose and buckets. You sat the bucket or water can on top of the blue base and it filled up with water from the bottom. 

Here was the crew for the day. They all really play well together and had a pretty good time today exploring everything. This was the start of a little creek and they enjoyed hiking along side it on all the big rocks. It ended up being a great day, just a little on the hot side, but the kids all had a good time. It probably won't be 2 years again before we go back again. Thanks for reading and God bless!

The Heflin Kids at the Survivor Picnic 2015

The Pediatric Cancer Survivor Picnic is something that the nurses at the University of Kentucky Children's Hospital put together every year for all the children who are currently receiving treatment or have beaten cancer. This is an over the top extravaganza that we put together so that these kids can just have an awesome day and forget about all the horrible things that cancer has caused them over the years. I am always excited when this day arrives because we get to see our patients outside of the hospital walls. They are such amazing kids and young adults. This year I told Brinley that I was going to take her to meet my friends (co-workers) and the kids that I take care of at work. I made the mistake of telling her this a few days before the actual event. This was a huge mistake because everyday she woke up she asked if it was the day to see my friends. Well the day finally arrived and we packed up the kids and headed out to Keeneland for the day. Jennifer spent the day running around with the kids while I made sure things were running smooth out on the front lawn. I was also able to catch the kids playing at a few spots during the day.

The kids loved the petting zoo area. Both of the kids loved this camel.

They also loved the kangaroo.

The kids saw other people pulling up grass and feeding the goats, so they decided to try it out too.

Brinley trying out one of the inflatables.

Landon trying it out too!

Getting a ride on the train. This was built by one of my co-worker's husband and it has been a big hit at the picnic for years.

Brinley thought she was such a big girl for riding in a cart all by herself.

Who wouldn't love to get their face painted by Tinkerbell!

The face painting turned out great. Brinley also enjoyed her snow cone too.

Landon playing Blinko with Grandma.

Landon getting his caricature done.

Landon mining rocks with Uncle McKinley and Grandpa.

Doing some arts and crafts with Uncle McKinley.

I decided to try out the zip-line. It was pretty awesome.

Uncle McKinley also tried out the zip-line.

Brinley riding the horse. You can tell that she is a little Kentucky girl - she doesn't have on any shoes!

Landon got to take a ride on the horse too.

Brinley giving a hug to a person dressed up like Dorthy from the Wizard of Oz.

Brinley wanted to feed the goats again. She was terrified of the llama and she even said that it was mean. We have no idea why she thought this about the llama.

Olaf also took a picture with the kids.

Brinley even saw Minnie Mouse.

The kids chasing Uncle McKinley around and hitting him with their balloons.

We had a dove release as a type of memorial to all those that lost their battle to cancer over the past year. The man in charge of the birds let Brinley touch one of them.

Landon didn't want to miss out on all the fun. He got to touch the bird too!

This day was amazing and the kids both had a good time meeting some of the kids that I take care of at work. They were so excited to play on everything and were so excited that they completely skipped taking a nap for the day. It was such a great day and I can't wait to start helping plan next years event. Thanks for reading and God bless!