At least it is when your 3 years old, wearing thick snow pants, and fall off a little pony into a foot of snow.  That's what my kids discovered this weekend while riding their pony.  After Addy stopped giggling, she told me she had to "get back in the saddle."  Have I got the coolest little cowgirl, or what?  The whole enterprise was not nearly so much fun for Mom.  Tromping around in melting snow that's almost knee deep is quite a workout.  By the time I could convince the kids to be done, I was way too tired out to ride my own horse.

I wanted to share my latest photo book that I just received in the mail last week - view it here.  I created it using digital scrapbook designs by BoolandDesign and templates by Simply Yin Designs, and had it printed by MyPicTales.

This past weekend was the 41st annual Spartan Stampede Rodeo.  Since my husband & I are both MSU & Rodeo Club alumni, we always attend.  It used to be a big party weekend, before we had kids and got old (as the pictures a friend recently posted can attest to, and no, I'm not sharing those!)  This was the first year that the kids were old enough to really get into it.  Cale was pretty serious about it, getting all deck out in full cowboy regalia, from Daddy's 4-H Rodeo trophy buckle to his own custom hair-on chaps (made from left over material from his cousin's custom bull-riding chaps). 

Everybody thought he was just adorable, and I have to agree, but I'm a little biased.  Addy wasn't quite as excited - even though they both got new cowboy hats Saturday morning specifically to wear to the rodeo, she didn't like hers and wouldn't wear it.  They enjoyed the rodeo itself, cheering for all the riders and dancing along with the music, but I think they're favorite part was riding the mechanical bull afterwards.

I finally went ahead and deleted all my old posts so I can give this space a little better direction.  I've been spending all my blogging time updating events on my other blog, MichiganHorseEvents, and I really want to write a little about what I'm doing with my horses and my kids.  I went to the MSU 4-H Benefit Clinic last weekend, and it really got me pumped up to get back in the show ring, and to get my 3-year-old daughter in there with me.  I even picked up a matching pair of shirts for lead-line at the tack sale.  They both need some repairs and alterations, but it's a start.  Addy and Cale both did some Little Britches rodeos last summer, and absolutely loved it, but I'm not ready to give up my own competition, so hopefully they will enjoy showing just as much.  My hubby won't be thrilled since he's not crazy about the horse show scene.  He wants us to find something else that the whole family, including him, can enjoy with the horses, but every time I try to get him out to ride, he's got work or hunting, or he's just too tired.  I actually got out and rode yesterday in the 6 inches of snow.  I really want to get my 4 year old filly, Molly (A Special Lullaby), going and start showing her this year.  I rode her a little bit last year, but didn't really put much time on her because she's so tiny.  She's still only about 14h now, and she's very petite, so she looks like a yearling.  She's not likely to grow much more either.  But she's got good bloodlines, and a great mind, so she will hopefully make a good horse for Addy (who's tiny for her age too).  Another reason I want Addy to start showing instead of barrel racing, because one thing I doubt Molly will be any good at is speed events!