RODEO DAY
I woke up at 5:30a excited and ready to get the show on the road.  Mimz told her little cowboy, that it was too early to get up, so I went back to sleep until 7:30a.

It's going to be a long day waiting for my event under the big top!

A cousin of Mimz' came to town and Mimz and I planned to go visit them, but one of them was sick and we didn't want to catch their sickness.  Mimz will visit with them another day.  We met Daddy at his office near downtown and then we were off to the rodeo.

Mimz was with Uncle Scott and Aunt Jill in the International room.  They work on the International Committee.

We spent all of our time at the carnival riding rides and going through Fun Houses.

 I either rode alone or Daddy went with me.  I had so much fun and that probably helped take my mind off the big Mutton Busting event coming up this evening.
Kristan's great uncle died, so she did not get to come to the rodeo.   Sonja Wilson is coming in her place.  When Sonja was a girl she was a barrel racer and a ______, so she knows a lot about the rodeo.  Grandma brought Mommy, Barbara, Andy, and Sonja to the rodeo.  Daddy and I met them around 5pm.  Mommy, Daddy, and I went one way to get me checked in as a mutton buster and the others went to explore the fairway.  They bought some chicken on a stick and some country fried bacon.  They really liked both of them.  I sure like saying "rodeo."

My two second cousins Harper and Hunter were at the rodeo and they got to see me Mutton Bust!

 The rodeo starts with a Grand March or Parade, I don't remember which it is.

 The Mutton Busters all rode in a yellow wagon. When the wagon left the arena, we were taken to meet our parents and take our seats. Mommy, Daddy, and I had front row seats.  We watched the big guys do all of the rodeo events, like steer wrestling, calf roping, team roping, etc.  Finally it was time.  The mutton buster volunteers came into the audience to get the 13 children.

We held hands walking onto the arena floor.  We are all 5 or 6 years old.

 We were helped into protective vests and helmets.

Then we waited our turn.  Oh, while the mutton busting was happening in one corner of the arena, the big stage was being pulled onto the arena floor.  I was the next to the last child to get to ride.  (I hope we can put on a video that shows me riding.  Barbara has a really good one, but it is a very large file and she doesn't know how to make it small enough to post on this blog.)  My parents and all of the children's chaperons got to move to a platform on the arena floor so they could be very close to watch their children ride the sheep.

I was not scared at all.  I was pumped.  When it was my turn, I was lifted onto the back of the sheep.  Four men were getting me in place and then the gate was opened and the sheep sped off with me on his back.  I maybe rode four seconds.  One child rode all the way to the far wall (of the small fenced-in area) so he will get to come back the last day of the rodeo to ride again with the other best riders.  I got some dirt in my eyes, but that was the only problem I had.  It was super fun and I can't wait until next year when I can do it again.  Aunt Jill is already thinking about asking for another favor to get me into the big arena again.  It sure helps to know the right people.)

 Video of my Mutton Busting ride!

 There were huge TV screens that people could watch to see us up close.

I won a belt buckle and a trophy and a shirt.

Mimz bought me a light saber.  Lots of children had them and I really wanted one.

This is a picture of my proud dad and uncle with their little cowboy.

We met up with Mimz, Barbara, Grandma, Sonja, Uncle Scott, and Aunt Jill in one of the lounges.  I was on cloud 9. We all visited for half an hour, then it was time to go home.  But I really wanted to go back to the carnival, so Daddy, Mommy, Mimz, and Andy took me to the carnival.  They took turns riding with me on rides and finally we had to leave.  I cried because I didn't want to leave.  I fell asleep the minute we got into the car for the hour drive home.

It was after midnight we we got home.  Mimz steered me into the house and helped me crawl into my bed.  She took off my boots and jeans.  I slept in my western shirt.  I must have had some great dreams about this special day.

Daddy said it best:  It was one of the best day of his life!  Mine too!