"Farm City Tradition...."

We have been going to "Farm City" for the past 4 years that we have lived here. It has just become something that we do each year and like the pumpkin patch, is part of our "kick off to Fall". There are activities for the kids, animals, pony rides, a cowboy rope show, horse show, and Jay's favorite - fresh and hot boiled peanuts! It is always the 3rd Monday night of October, and Jay has had a Session meeting at church every year for the past 4 years so he has always had to leave early and not been able to enjoy the entire event.  This year was the first year he has not had a Session meeting and was able to stay the entire time. My grandparents usually meet us out there because they have friends they like to visit with every year also.  It has become a tradition for our family. The kids were at a great age to really enjoy it this year, and EB especially loved the cowboy show and horse show.

We were so proud of this guy, and he looks proud of himself!  He has never been too excited about riding the ponies, but asked specifically this time if he could ride. That was a big step for him, and he really enjoyed it for the first time. I think it helped that a few weeks ago, we visited a friend of mine who has a farm and several horses. She helped him feel more comfortable around horses and allowed him to sit and ride her pony while she led him. He loves and trusts Mrs. Gina, so I think some of his fears and apprehensions were calmed. 

There's that smile again with an animal

Ellison's drawing - 

Elijah Brooks' drawing - 

Watching the rope show intently

He was chosen to be one of the participants in the show! 

The kids were in the "wedding ring"! 

I am pretty sure he asked "Cowboy Bruce" for a rope at least 4 times during the evening - 4 times that I know of and heard him ask! I am not sure how many times he asked when I didn't hear him! 

They both made a T-shirt 

Let's just say, "persistence pays off"!  The next day after Farm City, "Cowboy Bruce" brought him a real rope and an autographed picture of him riding his own horse whose name happens to be "Elijah"!  

He is roping and she is dancing - he may have been trying to lasso her in this picture!  He has tried that several times. 

Oh, how much she loves to dance!