The Adventures of the Faterkowski Family: Spring Break Part 2

On Monday we took the kids to the rodeo all day long. It was a little bit cool and windy to start off due to another Houston cold front, but once in the sun it was an absolutely beautiful day. Couldn't of asked for better weather! We were expecting a huge crowd as it was the first day of spring break and each year it's so crowded. Well, it was never crowded to our surprise! Perfect! Maybe because it was rainy all day Sunday and cooler people were waiting for later in the week? We started off with the rides and games as there was no wait really anywhere. Landon took a while to warm up while Emerson was hopping on rides everywhere. They enjoyed the car, motorcycle, and truck rides, the obstacle course, carnival games, the carousel, swings, and Emerson then wanted to ride the camel. As expected she loved it with no reservations. Hopped on it like it was her horse! The petting zoo (Emerson runs from animal to animal still and gives hugs. She likes to get up close and personal.) and Fun on the Farm were a hit (Landon really enjoys it) as they are every year and then Emerson wanted to ride the Silver Streak which is a fast ride that goes one way VERY fast and bumpy in a circle and then backwards. Think runaway train. I figured she would freak out once we were on it, but she was laughing hysterically as was I. It was cute! She would try to hold her hands up in the air (as she now does on everything she rides for some reason) but would end up falling into me laughing. They also rode the ferris wheel twice, once with Jason much to his disappointment as it's always me that does it, and then later they rode with me. They love it, while I don't! Emerson likes to rock them and move a lot while Landon and I are screaming at her to stop. I hate heights and I feel just sick to my stomach on the ferris wheel. Landon is good as long as it's not being rocked, on purpose. We also went inside and walked around the booths and kids area to see more animals and the birthing center and sat down to rest for a little bit. Of course some delicious rodeo food was consumed and we also watched the pig races where the kids cheered for the pig for our section. Their favorite was probably the animal show. This man and his family from Wisconsin presented all kinds of neat animals and it was very informative and cute. Emerson stood AT the stage for the entire show by herself, getting up close and personal and pushing anyone that got in her way to the side (I found a video on her iPod with proof. Hilarious!), while taking pictures and videos with her iPod. Landon sat at the table with us and was so intrigued and listened to everything that was presented. There was a pretty darn cute Porcupine (they apparently can't jump as he stayed on the podium reaching his paws out to people during the whole show), Two Toed Sloth, Ant Eater, huge Tortoise, baby Kangaroo, Ring Tailed Lemur, Seven Banded Armadillo, and a beautiful owl. It was a huge hit for my animal and science loving kids! Next up was the rodeo for some more food and fun. Landon once again loved it all. He watched every single event, kept up with the scores, places, people, and asked questions about each event and how it worked and was scored. I don't think he missed one second of it. I was so amazed and impressed with his attention span and interest in it all. Emerson loved watching the barrel racing (she starts doing more of it next week at lessons), all of the horses and Mutton Bustin', and then got upset during the team roping and steer wrestling. She was so concerned about the steers well being. She thought they were breaking their necks. Once the concert began she doozed on and off in Jason's lap while Landon moved in his seat and sang along to the handsome and incredible Luke Bryan. One of my favorite! As each song came on he would lean over and tell me, "Mommy, I know this song too!". We left a little early during the show and the kids were out in the car. Emerson even continued to sleep on the bathroom floor and during her bath. She was exhausted from 9 hours of rodeo fun! I sure do love the rodeo and hope my kids always do as well. I wish they would always enjoy petting zoos, rides, animals, and just good ole' fun! Because before long they will be going to the rodeo all by themselves with their friends and not want us there. :(