songbird's crazy world

One of the perks of being on the high school cheer team, or the high school dance team, was the annual trip to Central Florida for competition. With neither of my girls on a team this year, I am bereft. I have wonderful memories of these competitions, especially the Florida trips. the girls and I had vacationed in Central Florida many times from 1998 through 2001, visiting Walt Disney World 5 times and Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure once. We hadn't been to Florida since 2001, and going back with the teams was a delight. Jen's sophomore year the team went to a competition at Universal Studios, and Becca and I went with the team. The next year, Jen's junior year and Becca's freshman year, the dance team went to WDW in early March and the cheer team went to WDW in mid March. Ditto last year. (The dance team also travels to Myrtle Beach for a competition at the end of March, but that's a different story.) Going on these trips is a lot different than watching y...

or rather, I miss watching the kidlets perform. at various times my girls have been involved in dance, music, cheerleading, acting...activities where it was my job...my obligation, actually...to sit in a theater or on the bleachers, for an eternity while other people's children perform, just for the pleasure of watching my kidlets do their thing for a few minutes. now Jen is in college and busy with classes and volunteer work and her social life. and Becca's high school interests have evolved from "performing" to "participating". I am glad they're pursuing their interests. but I miss seeing my kidlets "on stage".

that something you thought was absolutely horrible when it happened turns out to be for the best? Jen spent four fabulous years on the high school cheer team. she wasn't always happy -- she didn't move up from JV to varisty as quickly as she would have liked, she didn't get a spot on the competition team until her junior year, and she was not named captain even though she felt she'd be a good leader for the team. but overall, cheer was a positive experience for her, she learned to work hard to move up, and the coaches encouraged sportsmanship, teamwork and a positive outlook -- and would not put up with drama queens. Becca, on the other hand, thought the dance team was where she wanted to be. dance team is one small squad, not divided into JV or varsity. very different atmosphere, the coach is all about "winning". I couldn't believe some of the sentiments I heard come out of my own child's mouth --- 2nd place was considered "losing". g...