'Cause I love me some Cowboys...and the Rodeo!
On Saturday night, we left Chloe home with a sitter and we took Camdyn to the rodeo. Not, just any rodeo, but the Bull Riding Championships, 30 cowboys competeing for the title 8 seconds at a time.
We pulled in to the lot about an hour before the start of the rodeo, and were surprised to see a ton of kids, and bounce houses, bounce-slides, and $6 bull rides (on a gentle- walking bull of course).
Camdyn was 10 kinds of excited when her little eyes caught glipse of the festivities. In fact, she ran through the gates ahead of us while we were waiting to give the man our tickets. She bounced, she slid, and then she spent 10 minutes laughing and giggling at the boys who were riding a mechanical bull.
Of course, she looked so cute in her pink skirt, and pink boots...she was the girliest cowgirl of all of them. I asked her if she wanted to ride the mechanical bull and she said, "Maybe next year."
After some pizza and soda, it was time to claim out seats for the show. Five minutes before the show started they played "Stuck Like Glue" by Sugarland. This is a song that has been on repeat in my car for months now. Cam loves it, and she let everyone around us know. She was standing on the bleachers belting out the lyrics as loudly as she could. She was making the cutest spectacle of herself ever...and I was so proud!
Then, they dimmed the lights and it was showtime. The cowboys came out and stood behind a flaming outline of a bull's head. They lit fireworks behind them and introduced them one at a time.
Cam's eyes were as big as saucers and she knew she was in for a special treat. "Look at all dem cowboys, Momma!" "Yes, Camdyn. I see them....(and I'll probably dream about them too)"
And, it just may have been the finest bunch of cowboys that I've ever seen.
Then, it was time to recognize the flag. They sent the flag around the arena on horseback, and the Announcer explained that the Blue on the flag symbolizes the working class hands that built this country, and the stars for our 50 great states, the 13 stripes recognize the orginial 13 colonies, the white symbolizes our nation's purity, and the red stripes represent the blood that was shed for our freedom, and for the blood shed by Jesus Christ. And, at that, the crowd roared. Roared. A reaction that stunned me a bit, but also made the hair stand up on my arms. After that they prayed. Prayed for the safety of all of the cowboys, prayed for the bulls, and safe travels for all of the supporters, and they Thanked God for this great nation.
And after a collective, AMEN, the crowd cheered and it was time for the National Anthem.
Then, the Rodeo started and the cowboys took their turns 8 seconds at a time. My little girl was in awe. She cheered and hollered with her little arms up in the air rooting on the cowboys. She stamped her little pink boots on the bleachers and cheered for a good ride.
And, after a few rides it became apparent to me why Jesus was at the Rodeo. Because this just might be the most dangerous sporting event that I've ever seen. Those crazy cowboys need a prayer. There were at least 10 times that we saw cowboys nearly get stomped on by the bull....both gut wrenching and thrilling at the same time.
This morning, Camdyn took the program to school with her. She wanted to show her teacher the "bucking bulls" and then cut out pictures of the "cutie cowboys."
The rodeo was a blast, it was really affordable (minus babysitting expenses) and we'll look forward to going again next year with Chloe. My girls just might love the Rodeo as much as I do! Yee Haw!
