Weekend of Cheer

This was such an exciting weekend! On Thursday afternoon, my sweet co-workers threw an amazing shower for me and baby Harrison.  It was so thoughtful of them and we got some of the sweetest outfits, blankets and a huge essential - the next car seat size up and an extra base for the carrier!  The decor and food were delicious and I am so thankful for amazing co-workers that love baby Harrison so much already! It was nothing short of perfection!

 
The sweet hostess with her cute little baby bump! Thank you, Kate!! PS - there are no other pictures of me being posted because I obviously haven't mastered the "look cute and take candid photos" look yet.  Maybe by the last baby shower I will have it down.

Friday afternoon we got off at 1 p.m. because of impending weather and I was a little stressed out.  Three weeks ago we had a very similar Friday.  It was the day before our cheerleading competition and practice got cancelled.  Well the competition ended up being cancelled that weekend, but this weekend the show must go on! Our practice was cancelled and I was super nervous for the team.  Since the last competition weekend, we had two cheerleaders who were not able to make the competition this weekend.  We taught the routine to two new people and I felt like one more practice could have done us well.  

The school has not had a competition cheering team since 2010 and I was so impressed by the work this team put in over the past two seasons to be where they are today.  The competition may not have been their best routine they have ever put on the mat, but they gave it their all and performed to the best of their ability.  They went up against teams that cheer much longer seasons then them, practice much longer hours and have much more experience than them.  95% of our team has never taken the mat before this weekend.  Overall the place that they got does not matter in my eyes.  What matters is that they had fun. improved since last year, and are ready to take their cheering commitment to the next level next season! 

They have made me such a proud coach and to know that I (along with the help of many others!) am helping revive the cheering program at my alma mater is very rewarding.  Looking back at the competition I competed it, I love being able to feel the excitement I once felt through my team as a coach.  It's a very completely different feeling of nerves, but I have learned a lot this season.  Ladies (and my two gentleman that were a very big component to our team),  thank you for being the team you are! 

And that, blog readers, is the look of one happy coach! 

The rest of our Saturday was very busy.  We set up my Nana's Apple TV, organized the baby clothes, took down the Christmas lights (don't judge), and then went to see 13 hours.  Phew - I'm exhausted thinking about our busy day.

Sunday was low key.  D.J. and I celebrated Valentine's Day with dinner and a movie on Friday, so Sunday we just relaxed and my parents house before celebrating my aunts birthday in the afternoon followed by a game of cards. 

After a busy weekend. I am glad to have today off to recover.  I'm trying to get a few more things from Target/TJMAXX for the nursery and then I think we should be good to go in that room! Crazy to think we only have 6 weeks left until Harrison's due date! 

Hope you all have a fabulous President's Day! 

How I was Convinced to Coach Cheering

I started cheering when I was in 7th grade.  I wasn't a crazy tumbler or the flyer, but I had strong legs and could get almost anybody up in a stunt as the base.  Throughout my years in high school at Norfolk Collegiate, the cheering program continued to grow.  We cheered at every home basketball game, spent countless hours in the gym and excelled at competitions around the state. 

See that crazy lady in the front being dramatic with her legs wide open?! Yea, that was me!

When I came back to work at Norfolk Collegiate, I had no intention of coaching a sport.  However, my first year back, I was the middle school volleyball coach and loved it.  It was a little time consuming because I had to leave work early to be in the gym by 3:15, but overall worth it.  I coached again this year and I love being able to see the improvements in each young lady as they continue to grow and mature.  

When two young ladies approached me in November about being the Varsity Cheering coach the first thought through my head was "where in the world would I find the time to coach cheering!?" I had seen the team last year, and I was not impressed.  The program had completely fell to the ground and there were 6 cheerleaders on the  team.  The two girls kept asking me about it and I decided that if they could get 10 cheerleaders committed to being on the team this year, then I would be the coach.

Well guess what?? They found over 10 people. So I became the coach.  At first I was a little stressed about the amount of time I Was spending at the school.  They practice from 4:30-6pm every day and when there are home games they cheer both varsity boys' and girls' basketball.  I quickly found myself being sucked into the love of the sport again and wanting to make them better. 

The difference between last years team and this years team is unbelievable.  They wouldn't even stand a chance to compare to the team before them.  We are doing stunts that I never imagined doing when I first started.  Fulls, twist cradles, baskets.  It's not expert level, but its for sure more than beginner! We got new uniforms, have been granted some gym time, and even had a lock in at the school a few weekends back!

Along with myself as a first time cheer coach, I also convinced another alumnus of the school, Brittany to coach the middle school team.  These girls are the future of our program and I am confident that with Brittany as their coach, they will be ready for JV or Varsity when that time comes!

Cheering has allowed me to get to know these students on a much more personal level.  They trust me and respect my decisions as well as respect each other.  We have been working hard this year on halftime routines in hopes that next year we will be ready to take the mats in a competition!

With the teams strong leadership skills, we were able to host a clinic for students interested in cheering in grades 4 and 5.  The turnout was great and look how cute they looked in their uniforms!!

Overall, cheering has been such a blessing and I am so honored to coach such an amazing group of young women and men.  I can't wait to continue to see the program grow over the years and I hope that one day we are as strong as it was when I was here! 

Be on the lookout for a vlog in the next few weeks with their halftime routine - it's pretty awesome if I do so say myself :)

GO OAKS!