YEEEEEEEEHAW!

We've lived in Texas now for 11 years and I've done many...MANY things since moving here that I never imagined doing. All things small town and country that were not part of my upbringing. I often feel like I've been transplanted to some foreign culture. This is always the way I feel at our little town's annual Rodeo. It's always a lot of fun, but it's also a little surreal for me. This weekend is the annual event and yesterday we went for an evening of cowboy, bronco bucking, yeehaw fun.



Last night may have been the pinnacle of things I never thought I'd be doing...I watched my baby girl do a little Mutton Bustin. If you are wondering what in the world Mutton Bustin is...welcome to my world. I had never heard of this event before moving here. It is a traditional part of the Rodeo where children compete by riding sheep. Yes, that's right, SHEEP. This isn't an animal I've ever thought about riding, nor do I ever want to. However, Jordan had a blast. She's a tougher girl than I! The kids get all geared up in protective garb, set on a sheep and grab on for dear life until they get flung off. Whoever holds on the longest gets a really big belt buckle. Kind of like bull riding for munchkins. I have to say, those sheep can really move. They're fast little suckers.

Before Jordan went, she got to watch two of her cousins tackle the muttons.
Here's Jonah. Look at the form, the focus, I see a future for him...












Here's Henry. His sheep didn't get the "run" memo. It basically turned in circles at the gate until Henry slid off. He held on tight and gave it his best.












Here's Jordan out of the gate, look at the intense concentration...or is that fear?













Hang on tight baby girl!













Flung into the dirt...made my heart flip (I know, out of control mom here)


After the rodeo clown helped her up she walked back to the gate flicking the dirt off and with a look of disgust on her face. She enjoyed the riding part but wasn't a fan of the fall off in the dirt ending. She's really not much of a fan of dirt (that's my girl!) so the fact that she was covered with dirt and got some in her mouth wasn't her favorite. I didn't have the heart to tell her that there was bound to be animal fecal matter mixed into the dirt she got in her mouth...a girl can only handle so much!

I was just thankful she didn't end up like this poor kid. Give him points for effort but I think once you've changed places with the sheep, you should just call it a day and let go!











I'm happy...oops...I mean SAD to say Jordan didn't win the really big belt buckle but regardless, I was so proud of her. Not just for bustin the mutton, but for trying something new and totally crazy!