Mutton Bustin Mama

Today I find myself in a place I never did imagine. Many moms experience proud moments in their children's lives for reasons such as when their child takes their first steps, spells their first word, or maybe does a kind deed that truly came from their heart. But today, I am proud of something so much more.

While in Seattle visiting Jon's family for the week, Grandpa offered to take us all to the fair and we agreed. Jon's sister, Cheryl, mentioned some sheep riding contest that Kyle might enjoy. Hmm... Sheep riding. Okay. So off to the fair we went. Kyle rode several fair rides, expressionless as he flew, though begging for more as he disembarked. He stared enviously at all of the cotton candy wishing he was the child who had some of that yummy fluffy stuff he'd never laid eyes on before.

In jest we asked Kyle if he'd like to ride the sheep. "Yes", he kept saying with no other intonation. As the boys were running out of steam and we all were feeling a bit exhausted of the whole fair "scene", we ambled over to the sheep riding arena. There, poised beside the arena, I saw large trailers with advertisements of this "sheep riding" gig. This was no 4-H kid holding a leash, guiding an ill-fated sheep with a child on it's back. This was bull riding. "Okay", I thought, "this is ridiculous, but perhaps good entertainment". We took our seats

and waited for the show to begin. A few minutes in, I looked around to find Grandpa and Kyle mysteriously missing. "Great, Granpa has given in to my child's great lust for sugar and bought

him some cotton candy." So I waited for them to return and scold his Grandad for such a liberal purchase. And I waited... Finally, about to be concerned about more than Kyle's sugar intake I saw at the far endof the arena what appeared to be my child, I kid you not, in line and in full gear, to get on one of those poor old sheep and ride away.

Let me pause for just a second for those who do not know my Kyle all that well. Let me use a few adjectives; Intense from the womb, shy, currently afraid of dirt, won't walk on ground that is wet, extremely cautious in new situations, strong willed, lover of food.

So there I was, FREAKING OUT. "But what's there to freak out about", I told myself. "My child would never ever get on a sheep". In fact, I bet Grandpa $10 Kyle would never even touch the sheep much less ride one but then whispered to Auntie Cheryl that she would be responsible for all hospital bills if he did. When I asked Kyle again, he said as expressionless as he'd been all day, that yes he did want to ride.

So sheep came bursting out of the shoot and the myraid of kids with parents crazy enough to allow them to do so were promptly tossed in the air, off the sheep, and onto the pile of dirt beneeth them. Several lay with face firmly planted in that dirt, shoulders quivering, while frightened moms rushed to rescue them. What kind of mom does this to her child? And the contestents went on. 3-6 year olds braving this sheep torture with most falling, many crying, and many more chickening out. I stood in line with Kyle shaking. Not him, me. . After a boy got tossed from the sheep and slowly stood with hands gripping his back crying as if it were broken in two, I looked at Jon and said, "we're out". I leaned over to the sheep attendant and asked how often they see injuries (seeing as Grandpa was the one to sign the waiver for all injuries without our parental permission). She nodded assuringly and said, "very rarely". I poked and prodded Kyle trying to discern his mood, what he thought of those boys and girls crying and getting all dirty. STONE COLD SILENCE. This was focus like I'd never seen. He was in a ZONE.

Did Grandpa drug him??

Last in line with nothing to do but anxiously wait, I heard, "Let's give a round of applause for KYLE CHOY". Before I could wrap my senses around the whole ordeal, he was off. OH MY GOSH. Kyle got on that sheep and DID NOT LET GO. Half on, half off, hanging onto nothing but fur, he rode to the end of the arena and found himself in second stinken place. WHAT??? I was still shaking. Is this my shy, currently afraid of dirt, cautious in new situations child? I owe Grandpa $10 and a few reprimands.

As we walked away, Kyle was still expressionless. Then, for the first time in over half an hour, he spoke in a suspiciously hypnotic voice, "Grandpa said if I was strong and held

on tight I could get some cotton candy".

AHAA!

Did I mention intense, determined and lover

of food? WOW! Never underestimate a strong will coupled with high motivation for cotton candy. After more silence Kyle whispered, "I am sad because I thought I could ride all the way around in a circle". This boy had some goals. I should send out a warning to all of next years contestants at the Mutton Buster competition as they call it, my boy is getting 1st place and going to State... or wherever Mutton Buster champions go.

Anyway, it was quite a day and I have to say I am one proud Mutton Bustin Mama.