Candy Canes For Kids & Cheer Competition

Today was a jam packed day, so I’m glad that I started it off the right way by getting up early and going to the temple.  I had stayed up way too late last night and was tempted to just hit snooze and go back to sleep, but I’m glad I got up and made myself go.  This is a good indicator of what a busy (yet fun) day it was … I took 153 pics today (and that’s after deleting the bad ones)!!!

When I got home from the temple, Autumn & I ate some breakfast, got dressed for the day, and then went to Ella’s house to pick up her pom poms for Autumn to use today.  Then off we went to meet up w/ the Dakins for some fun.  The splash pad we like to play at had been transformed into a little shopping area w/ all sorts of fun booths.  Our first stop was at the Candy Canes for Kids booth.  We bought 4 candy canes for $1.00 and they had the kids write their names on them.

Then we went over to this big white cone shaped tree, and they glued the candy canes onto the tree.  The idea was to cover the entire tree (which I later found out was accomplished) to raise money for the Children's Advocacy Center.

There was this quartet of singers dressed in old fashioned clothing that sang on the main stage, and then they walked around the area and sang to people.  I asked if the kids could get a picture w/ them and they were happy to oblige, but only if we let them sing us a carol first.

This fun train was driving around the perimeter of the tents, so we went over to check it out.

The cost to ride the train around was $4.  The kids had the whole thing to themselves b/c no one else was in line, but instead of spreading out and each having their own cart, they all piled into this cart together.  So fun!  It cracks me up that Autumn is hugging Ben & he’s looking like, “get off me, lady!”

After the train ride, the conductor gave them each a bag of fancy colored popcorn.  Then they got to sit in the driver’s seat and ring the gold bell.

We were pretty much done w/ all the fun events by this point, but Deb had talked me into filling out a form for some giveaways that 94.9 radio was doing.  They were having a drawing in 10 minutes, so we stuck around for it.  Wouldn’t you know, they pulled my name!!!  I had the choice of tickets to a bunch of different events like The Nutcracker Ballet, Disney On Ice, Donnie & Marie, etc.  Deb had been saying earlier in the day how they wanted to go see Disney On Ice, but tickets were so expensive.  I picked the Disney On Ice tickets and immediately gave them to her as a thank you for taking care of Autumn for me this coming week while I am in California.  I love it and am so thankful when Heavenly Father blesses me with things like this that just come together perfectly.

We had to say good bye to Dakins and rush home so Autumn could get ready for her cheer competition today.  We went over to the local middle school at 12:45 even though the competition didn’t start until 2:00.  Coach Kara & Coach Rachel have been FABULOUS coaches this year to our girls.  I’m so thankful for them and all the time and effort they put in.  They really went above and beyond.

No cheer competition is complete without glitter, and LOTS of it.  I love how you can see the stream of glitter coming out of the can in this pic.  And how the girls that are lined up waiting for their turn also have their eyes covered b/c glitter was flying everywhere.

Here’s the end result … all glittered up and ready to go!

The coaches took the girls into another gym to warm up and practice, so us parents went and sat in the bleachers to reserve our spots.  This is the first cheer competition I’ve ever been to and since it was just 1st grade girls, I didn’t know what to expect.  Well, they take it seriously around here and even had the fancy blue pads for the girls to cheer on.

We had to wait a whole hour before the competition began, but it was worth it.  When they opened the doors for the girls to come walking in, I started to cry.  I had no idea I would be so emotional.  Autumn was the first one, front & center, and I was just overwhelmed w/ so much love and joy and pride.  This has been such a great thing for her to be involved in.

Once all the other 7 teams got lined up and in place, it was finally time to start.  We were up first and I was surprised to see that Autumn was again front and center.  This wasn’t how they had done it at practice … she was usually in the back b/c she’s so tall.  I said a silent prayer that she and all the girls on her team would do a great job and remember all the things they had practiced.

This was 1/2 way through the routine and I love it that I was able to capture Coach Rachel kneeling in front of the girls doing the routine w/ them to help them remember what to do.

The final pose.  Everyone in the auditorium burst into applause, and I again got all emotional and teary eyed.  It was fun to see the other 7 teams perform and hear how everyone in the stands cheered for all the girls.  At this age it’s not as much about being competitive, but more about supporting the girls and all their hard work.

After all the teams performed, they had them go sit in circles on the mat while the scores were tallied.  I didn’t realize it was such a big deal w/ real judges and everything.

First they announced the Coach of the Year, and we were SO HAPPY to hear that it was Coach Rachel.  I know I wrote her a glowing nomination, and I think a few other parents in our group did too.  Then came time to announce the winners of the cheer competition.  We won 2nd place and I love this look of pure joy and triumph that the girls and coaches had.

Papa was able to be there b/c he was just back up at the clinics and they weren’t busy.  He had a beautiful (overpriced … $10!!!) red carnation for Autumn, which made her feel so incredibly special.  I love this picture of them.

Autumn & her fabulous coaches

I’m so happy that I signed her up for cheerleading, b/c it helped her learn so many things.  It helped her physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, etc.  We’ll for sure be signing up for this next year.  I probably need to get her signed up for gymnastics in the meantime so she can learn how to do handstands and cartwheels.

Papa & Mimi treated us to Chipotle for lunch.  This burrito is the size of Autumn’s whole head!!!

After all that pressure and excitement, she just wanted to let loose.  So, we went over to Curt & Mary’s so she could jump on the trampoline.  She loves showing me her “moves” and jumping as high as she can while twirling so her hair flies behind her.

We came home early tonight so she could shower and b/c she wanted me to put curlers in her hair.  We watched Cars b/c it was on the Disney channel and then it was time for bed.  What a busy and FUN day!!!