Cheerleading

Ready to start.

I got a smile!!

Starting the lift...

the end result!! Very good, girls.

Cheerleading is one of the activities that Lauren does. She wanted to do this after seeing her cousin compete in cheerleading for the past few years. Lauren is in the Tiny division. To compete in the Tiny division you had to be 5 years old or younger as of May 2008. Lauren's team was on the younger side. The teams she competed against were closer to the 5 year old range. Lauren's team had a lot of 3 year olds and even a 2 year old as well as some 4 and 5 year olds.

This past weekend was Lauren's last cheer competition of the season. Lauren's team were in 4 competitions this year. They improved so much during the year. They started out the year not doing that well in the competitions. In the first three competitions they tried hard but always came in last. (Sometimes they were only competing against one other team.) But the last competition they competed against 3 other teams. I was just hoping they didn't come in last again. They came in second and all the team members got a nice ribbon. Lauren was so happy to get the ribbon. To be honest, I don't think they really cared that they would come in last or even realize they came in last.

I asked Lauren if she likes doing the dance in front of the crowd and if she got scared. She says she likes it and that it does not scare her at all. It is so funny to watch her. She almost never smiles during the performance. I told her to smile more and look like she is having fun. This past weekend I got a few smiles but not many. She is just all business.

I am proud of how hard they worked and it seemed like they had fun this past season. They have a show for parents and friends and then they tryout for next season to see what team they will be on. If she moves up then she will be doing 8 competitions. I have mixed feelings on whether or not I want her to move up. That is a lot more competitions and everything gets more expensive. The outfit is more and additional competition fees all add up. I think the coaches are really working with Lauren to have her move up next year. Just tonight she learned how to do a bridge from a standing position. They would like her to have a back walkover but I don't think she will have that for a while. I think she will be fine with what ever team she is on.