Pea called horses “hee-haws” for the longest time. We thought maybe she got it from “yee-haw,” which would make a lot of sense, right? Cowboys ride horses and say things like “yee-haw!” But… it’s not like we walk around yelling out “yee-haw!” We’re just not those kind of people. Even if we did live in Texas. Land of the Cowboy.

But it was cute, nonetheless. She loves horses. Got that from her mama. I love horses. I really, really love horses. I’m like a kid, passing by a ranch. If there are horses out, you will see us driving by, my husband at the wheel, my girls strapped into their car-seats in back, and me, in the front passenger seat, my nose and hands pressed up again the window. A look of awe on my face.

We have lots of books in the house on horses. They don’t have words, just gorgeous photos that will make your heart race. Even if you don’t love horses. The creatures, for me, are magical and mystical and powerful and just all-around awe-inspiring. And now Pea feels that way, too.

When I ordered this book by Michael Eastman, I was hoping for more of the same. Lush photos of horses in their natural habitat. I was not disappointed.

Neither is Pea.

I catch her on the couch, lying on her stomach, the book open in front of her. She’s staring at the pages. “Look at this one! No, look at this one! Mommy! Look! Look at this horsey!”

That’s right, she no longer calls horses “hee-haws.” They’ve been elevated to “horseys.” But she is still captivated…