Ride 'em, cowgirls

One of the best parts about living in Houston in the springtime (other than this fab weather we've been having) is the Rodeo! We've loved taking Anna there since she was a tiny tot, and now got to introduce Kate to the tradition.

I was so excited that this year they had this very realistic-looking stuffed longhorn that we could put the girls on to take their picture. So, I promptly paid my fee, sat Anna on the "prop", went to sit Kate in front of her, and the longhorn MOVED. Yep, that's right--this city girl didn't realize that the longhorn was REAL. (I obviously still proceeded to leave the girls there and step away far enough for Clint to take a picture. I'm a great mom. Let's just hope CPS doesn't check this blog...)

Anna had such a blast getting to go to the rodeo with Mommy AND Daddy...

Kate definitely had the best seat in the house for the majority of the adventure...

Anna's favorite activity is always taking a pony ride, so we of course made sure to do that again this year. When we went back to the rodeo this past week (a week after our first trip), she promptly went up to the ponies and said, "Look, there's the one I rode last time." And, she was right. Where does this girl get this bizarre-o memory from?

The petting zoo is definitely this germ-o-phobe mom's least favorite part of the rodeo, but its of course one of the girls' favorite parts! So, I indulged them...

I had full intention of just carrying Kate in there with me and letting her look (but not touch). But, she just squealed and clapped with such incredible glee whenever the animals would come anywhere near her that I just couldn't bring myself to not let her pet them. I know, I know...yuck. But, she just loved it SO much...

Anna of course loved it too. Now let's just hope they don't request one of these goats as our next pet...