Rodeo!

Flat Stanley had a GREAT time this evening at the Galveston County Fair and Rodeo! He was a little disappointed that we didn't get him a cowboy hat and boots before we went. This is due almost entirely to my lack of artistic skills... sorry Stanley! Due to the girls being loose, and the crowds being big, we didn't get to take a lot of pictures with Stanley, but he did get to participate in the photo op with the show turkeys! They are BIG and crazy birds!

The petting zoo was fantastic! If you will recall our past experience with the zoo's catatonic goats, our bar is pretty low, but they really outdid themselves with a baby cow, baby camel, lots of little chickens, goats of all shapes and sizes (ALL running around), a pig, a bunny, a fawn.... just fantastic!

The camel was a trip! He was laying down for a long time, and Abby cautiously pet him... then later, we heard a terrible braying and watched him completely unfold as he stood up to reveal his VERY tall true height. Amazing!

The calf was very cute, but kept head butting me. Abby pet him a little bit, but was more interested in chasing the chickens. Chasing the littler animals seemed to be pretty fun for both of the girls...

Izzy really came alive at the rodeo tonight. Our parking guides were mounted constables, and the entire walk in, she kept wanting to pet the horses. She was pretty taken with the turkeys, and was thrilled when one family let us pet their show cow. (If my livestock lingo is woefully inadequate, forgive me!) So, the petting zoo was heaven for her!

GO-O-O-O-O-at!

Piggy.

The lamb gave Izzy a bit of a start when she went in for a hug, prompting the lamb to stand up suddenly. Her lip quivered a little and I asked if she wanted me to hold her, but she stayed strong and just said, "Abby, see her?" ... and was fine when I pointed to her sister across the way.

The next highlight was the pony ride! Finally, horses we could pet! Abby was a little unsure, but Izzy just kept reaching over, petting her horse, and saying, "Nice! Nice!"

The highlight of the night was the rodeo itself. The girls were THRILLED with the bull-riding (just like their Mama), and pretty excited about the Mutton Bustin'. When the first sheep came out, we asked them if they wanted to ride a sheep, and they both were very excited about it, but when the Bustin' sheep came out with their little-kid-riders holding on for dear life, their tunes seemed to change. Hopefully by the time they're old enough, they'll be ready to go! I can't wait :)