This may be my most favorite blog post ever — I finally got my 2-year-old niece, Ella, on a real pony (for those of you who are new to the blog, I have been hatching this evil plan encouraging Ella to love ponies since roughly a few months after she was born).   It was quite possibly my happiest day as an aunt.  She loved it! The pony in question is Fuzzy, who belongs to a friend of mine.  Some of you may remember him from this post , in which Tucker fell madly in love with Fuzzy.  Fuzzy was so wonderful all afternoon for his pony ride.   He apparently loves little girls just as much as they love him.  He was a perfect gentleman.  (I may also be in love with him.  It’s easy to do.) We arrived at the barn mid-afternoon, my niece bearing a bag full of apples and carrots and VERY excited about the prospect of ponies. Once we actually met Fuzzy, we were a little bit less brave, which I expected.  So I gave Ella some time to get better acquainted with the pony, and she helped me lead him around the ring.  Fuzzy, saint that he is, stopped on a dime every time she wanted to come up and get a better look at him, and soon she had pet him all over and was voicing her strong desire to ride.  After holding her up a few times so she could see the saddle and where her feet would go, and where she’d hold the reins, she was ready to climb on.  It was all smiles from here on out.  That’s grandma (my mom) in the background.  She has been down this road before… she knows a pony-crazed kid when she sees one.  Note that her heels are already down.  Never had a lesson.  I believe she’s a natural. This is my favorite photo of the day.  The blissed-out-I-love-ponies face.  And this would be my second-favorite. Or maybe this one… Or this one…. Is there anything cuter than a tiny child grooming a tiny pony?