Family and Lifestyle Blog
Well, it turns out that going to the rodeo with three kids under the age of 5 is a challenge whether you venture out alone or with your husband.
Last year I went alone and nearly had a heart attack…walking, cleaning up a messy diaper just before boarding a tram, controlling 2 boys, orchestrating a pony ride for both of them and keeping the baby happy. It was tough! But, the kids had a great time. Me?- not so much. But, it’s not about me, right? So, this year, at the request of many family members and friends, I recruited my husband for El Rodeo Day! I figured this would be more enjoyable for all. It definitely was more enjoyable for the kids. But, at the end of it all, after being exhausted from all of the things we did last year and did again this year (minus the near heart attack- thankfully!) I looked at Moustapha and asked him “At what age do you think our kids have to be for the rodeo to be fun for us again?”
Fast forward to 1 hour later when all of the kids are asleep in their beds at 6pm. The boys were so exhausted, they slept the entire night. Trinity will not miss a meal, so she woke up for that and quickly returned to a restful sleep. I would say that is the payoff for all of the work. We had a really quiet night. 🙂
Sometimes it takes a lot of effort to have fun!
On Wednesday we went to the rodeo…me, Bakri, Maddux and Trinity. What an adventure! Here is some pictures and one video of our day from start to finish…
Here is Miss Trinity in her rodeo best…this outfit belonged to our niece. Isn’t it cute? And the shoes were Bakri’s, then Maddux’s and now Trinity’s!
Maddux and Trinity ready for the rodeo!
Bakri, Maddux and Trinity getting ready to head to the rodeo.
Maddux, Trinity and Bakri….rodeo ready!
Amira gave the boys these adorable cowboy boots for Christmas. Maddux would wear his everyday if I let him!
The biggest challenge of the day was getting to the rodeo from the parking lot and back. We had to board a tram with a double stroller, one adult (me) an infant (trinity) and 2 kids (Bakri and Maddux.) Whoah! Thank God I had the help of kind strangers…
This was a big Longhorn we saw when we first got there. We also ran into some of our family there. We didn’t get to hang out with them much, because they had already done some of the things we were there to do. But, it was really fun seeing them!
I guess Mr. B. found these hens to be quite shocking! Maybe it was the fact that they were laying eggs.
My little cowboy, Bakri!
At one point T lost her patience with being in the Stroller, and she was much happier to be out enjoying the livestock show. 
We waited in the line for the pony ride for 30 minutes. When I bought the tokens they told us it would be an hour or an hour and a half. Thankfully, the wait wasn’t nearly that long. But, since the kids look forward to this ponyride every year, its not something we could avoid…and they loved it as always!
Maddux riding the pony “gem.”
Bakri riding the pony and having a great time!
Here comes Bakri! He’s looking at Maddux. 
Bakri’s pony was named “dolly.”
We were on our way out to have a snack before leaving and I asked somebody to take a picture of all of us just to prove the kids weren’t there by themselves.
We grabbed a snack before leaving. Here’s Maddux enjoying some gatorade.
