Rodeo Girl

We love the Rodeo. We made it out there 3 times this year, which is a lot with a toddler! The Livestock Show and Carnival are very well-run and Leila had a blast. Her favorite thing? Was it the Ferris Wheel? NO. The Super-Slide? NO. Pony ride? NO. It was... The goats. That's right. Regular old goats in the petting zoo, which was FREE. In fact, we like to talk about what she dreams about, and one of those things was goats. Don't ask me, I don't get it either!!! I think it is cute though!!

The McKinney's were kind enough to meet us up at the Rodeo a couple of times to spend time with us. Mary joined me in one of my favorite parts of the rodeo-- Fried Anything! For those of you not familiar with Texas, one of the great gastronomic delights in our state are fried or specially crafted foods made just for the State Fair and the Rodeo. This year, we tried Fried Key Lime Pie and Fried Smores. I passed on Chicken Fried Meatballs, Chocolate dipped Pickles, and Jalapeno Lemonade.

Leila and her Mimi and Dude outside of the Boardroom--VIP at 2 years old

At her school Rodeo pushing fake cow patties with a noodle--haha someone at that school is very creative!!

She loved the Pony Ride and did not need Mom this year to walk her, she did it all by herself
Look at that huge smile while feeding the goats!

The 3 of us enjoying the Carnival together

Hanging out with Tim McGraw

I figure if I am going to finally do a post, it had better be a good one.... so here it is. Last night Patrick and I went to our only Rodeo show (unlike pre-kid days, where we would hit 3 or 4) and we saw Tim McGraw perform. AND met him in person. That's right, check it out below. Patrick, Laurie & Tim... who is smaller than Patrick, as you can see. He was really nice and we chatted about his show before it began. I thought the show was terrific, the reviewer for the Chronicle is obviously not a fan. Tim was my first country cd I ever owned, my dad gave it to me for my 16th birthday.

I will try to do a whole Rodeo post on Leila later. Til then, this will have to do. Pretty cute, huh?? This was at her school Rodeo.

Spring Break

We had a crazy week. You know it is Spring Break done right when it involves vomit. We went to the Children's Museum, the Zoo, Galveston, the library, the park, and Patrick and I went to the Rodeo. I always try to plan activities for us, but life with this 1 year-old is never dull. We play tea party, a lot, and it usually results in big wet messes. At the zoo, all of her friends sat nicely in their strollers for lunch while my daughter ran around with her sandwich exploring while I followed her.

Saturday - Kayak exhibition, met my family in Galveston
Monday - met Cassie & Avery at the Children's Museum
Tuesday - Erica & Grant came over to play, Patrick & I saw Keith Urban at the Rodeo
Wednesday - met Sarah & Ryan, Jennifer & Kylie, Jill & Cannon at the zoo
Thursday - Went to Story time twice at the library, then went to the park, then she got sick and threw up all over both of us (but felt better afterward, until it happened again)
Friday - Recovered from yesterday, introduced water color paints

Last weekend Patrick bought a kayak and I hope to take it out tomorrow if the thunderstorms stay away. I have some pictures from last weekend when we tried them out. We are only 2 miles from Galveston bay and surrounded by lakes so there are a lot of places to go.

Leila liked the yellow one, but daddy bought green
Patrick tried out all the different models in the lake next to our house (um, that is not our house in the background, lol)

We met my family for dinner at Guido's on the Seawall in Galveston

Leila and Avery both like the ball pit at the Children's museum. Pacifiers keep things from entering their mouths! Last time we went to the museum, she came down with a 102 fever.

Who is that girl looking at me?? I like her top.

First time on a tricycle and loved it even if she couldn't pedal.

At the zoo with Ryan (top), Cannon and Kylie

Enjoying this short-lived gorgeous weather at her grandparent's house with Belle

She is either deep in thought over her artwork or I caught her doing something

Leila piled the chair with books to read at the library then sat on top of them


This is her illness recovery look.. Favorite Elmo shirt, dark glasses, new flower bow from mommy... she felt better by the afternoon

Rodeo, Part II

Leila and I went to the Livestock show with her Granmary on Thursday. The princess was thrilled to wear her boots again. It turned out to be a beautiful day and she had a lot of fun. We went to the petting zoo and she found deer, pigs, goats, and even saw a wallaby (what is that doing at the Rodeo?) We toured the exhibits of chicks, rabbits, cows, pigs, and sheep.

Leila rode a pony and seemed to enjoy it. We tried fried oreos (which are good--didn't get a chance to try fried key lime pie or fried cheesecake.) We ended the morning with lunch at the director's club where she charmed the Rodeo staff and volunteers. Her dude treated us to a delicious lunch of which she took about 3 bites.

Petting a goat--he is just her size

Leila did great on the pony

Looking at the chicken exhibit

Outside the Director's Club--Leila does not even know she is VIP

This was Leila as we left the parking lot

Rodeo, Part I

On Go Texan Day, Leila's school had an adorable little preschool Rodeo. The kids dressed in western wear (boots allowed, but no guns please, said the note home.) They had a horseshoe toss, and rode pretend ponies, and listened to a campfire story. It was super cute. Patrick had the week off to work on the Rodeo BBQ committee so he was able to come.