The Ft Worth Stock Show and Rodeo is kind of a big deal around here. It's a big Ft Worth thing that Ft Worth people get really into and there's lots of money involved and lots of kids and their FFA animals. Lots of cowboy hats, $1,000 boots, belt buckles the size of dinner plates (no, really), $50,000 mowers on display etc. Very TEXAS-Y. Very fun.
We went last year and actually went to the rodeo but it was waaaaay too loud for Claire. We should have brought her headset she uses in the airplane, but we hadn't counted on our seats being directly underneath a gigantic speaker. (Incidentally, the headset is a great deal for $16 and useful in LOTS of situations if your kid is noise-averse, Claire has worn hers at baseball games, fireworks, concerts, etc. Anywhere there is a speaker system or clapping.) This year we skipped the rodeo and just looked at animals.
There was a lot to look at in here: ducklings, baby chicks, eggs in an incubator (hatching!), a GIGANTIC SCARY ASS TURKEY (now I know when a turkey is spooked into trying to fly, its wings make the most AWFUL flappy-feathery-gross sound oh my god birds are so disgusting), lambs and piglets.
Piggies!
I didn't know these existed, did you? (We didn't get one.)
(And, speaking of Red Velvet, you really need to go read this about Maggie's pastry chef sister and a customer that was, um, confused about what a Red Velvet cake is. Oh my gosh, people can be so stupid.)
Lots of FFA trailers were unloading today, getting ready to show livestock over the weekend.
Charlotte wore her pink cowboy hat. Claire wore a pearl-snap shirt. (What? You don't have western wear in several sizes for your children?)
I think maybe I'll take the girls back next week. We get in free with our museum membership and if this glorious, sunshiney weather holds up that would make for a pleasant day where we don't have to stare at each other at home while I avoid doing dishes.
My girls LOVE the Houston Rodeo (and, yes, we have Cowgirl wear in all sizes!). The kids' section is actually really fun.
Posted by: elz | January 19, 2012 at 10:07 PM
I've been to the Houston rodeo and that was always fun.
And I agree, birds are really disgusting.
Posted by: HereWeGoAJen | January 20, 2012 at 05:33 AM
I love love love the cowboy hat. And did you know turkeys, or at least wild turkeys in Massachusetts, CAN fly? My friends say they have seen them roosting waaaay up high in the trees, on teeny tiny little twig branches. It sounds like I'm making this up, but I'm not.
Posted by: Dr. Maureen | January 20, 2012 at 07:39 AM
You are looking so good post-baby. I am immensely jealous.
Posted by: craftyashley | January 20, 2012 at 10:55 AM
Baby chicks! The only birds I don't hate. We had an incubator in my grade school, and watching them hatch and grow was awesome.
Oh, turkeys. Last spring, we went to a local Maple Sugar bush with a petting farm, and the turkeys scared the CRAP out of Teddy. There's an area in his preschool yard that reminds him of the turkey enclosure, so for the first few weeks, he'd check it out and pronounce. "NO turkeys. Bye bye turkeys!" He still talks about the scary turkeys. YUCK.
Posted by: Sarah in Ottawa | January 20, 2012 at 11:58 AM
So cute!! I used to go to the rodeo nearly every summer. SO MUCH FUN!
Posted by: Life of a Doctor's Wife | January 20, 2012 at 01:40 PM
Turkeys are crazy bastards.
Posted by: K | January 20, 2012 at 04:08 PM
Birds are for sure disgusting.
Posted by: Erica Huff | January 21, 2012 at 10:45 AM
Sounds like a great way to spend sunny winter days, and yes I'm a little jealous!
Posted by: Molly | January 22, 2012 at 11:35 PM
Dude. I was a rodeo princess. I was in 4H. I have even spent more hours than I care to think about in the Amon Carter Exhibit Hall and John Justin Arena for horse shows. I LOVE this stuff. You are speaking the language of a western girl's heart! I want to goooo!
Posted by: DC Zia | January 23, 2012 at 01:47 PM
love the photo of charlotte holding her hat!and the last one where claire is totally doing her own thing behind you, looks like you all are having so much fun. can't wait to take will to see the livestock show at the houston rodeo next month!
Posted by: lorraine | January 23, 2012 at 04:23 PM