Houston Rodeo and Live Stock Show

Another year, another rodeo!  I've said this every year since we've moved to Texas.  If you've never been to the Houston Rodeo then you don't know how big Texas really is.  We kicked off the opening of the Rodeo with alittle lasso practice.  The Helmcamp kids drug out the saw horse calf and got down to business.  The big girls went first and did a great job.  Next Reid went to show Brenna how its done.  On Brenna's first attempt, she roped herself.  You can see the look on Reid's face as he stood by saying "What are you doin'?"  She eventually got the hang of it and roped her first calf.

Next we celebrated the opening of the Houston Rodeo with Rodeo Day at school.  The kids all dressed up in their western wear and a rode horse drawn carriage.  Here's Brenna on her way to school.  I've always considered myself more country than cowgirl.  But of course I was born in Mississippi.  Brenna, on the other hand, has no problem living up to her Texas roots.  All she needs is a holster and she could be Little Annie Oakley.

This year we made our traditional visit to the Rodeo with the Gholston's.  We shed our western skirt for a mini, because it was hot.  We had loads of funs.  We met the Houston Rodeo mascot and rode horses.  We enjoyed the petting zoo and Fun on the Farm, and even got the chance to chat with some rodeo clowns

It was getting hotter as the day went on and kids were worn out from all the walking.  So we decided to take a break at the Pig Races.  They had two divisions; the light-weights and the heavy-weights.

This year we made it a point to go Mutton Bustin'.  If you're not sure what that is, let me explain.  Mutton Bustin' is our kids version of riding a bull.  That's right, we take 4 and 5 year old kids, cage them in with one irritated sheep and let em' go.  They ride bare back, holding on as best they can for their 7 seconds with nothing but a helmet and prayer.  We watched several rounds.  Some kids hopped up excited, others in tears.  Almost all were trampled by the sheep as they fell off.  We only saw one kid survive the 7 seconds.  

After all that, Brenna begged to do Mutton Bustin' "I wanna ride the sheep, Mama!"  Her friend Grace, on the other hand, simply said "I think I'll wait until I'm 5!"  There was some negotiation, but eventually Brenna agreed to wait until Daddy was there to see her do it.  Could you image the look on Jacob's face if I had come home and told him his little girl went Mutton Bustin' today!  

As always the Houston Rodeo provided alot of fun for the kids. We didn't do the carnival this year.  I figured we get more than enough rides in soon at Disney.  But, who knows, the Rodeo still runs through March 18th, so we may find our way back.  And trust me, if she does Mutton Bustin' there will be lots of video and pictures!