So I even downloaded the WordPress iPhone app so that I could update my blog whilst on vacation and at camp. That? Did not happen. It probably would have been cathartic during some of the more stressful times, but oh well. I am back in town and I think I'm gonna put myself on a blog-specific writing schedule. And I am 99% sure that I am going to completely switch to WordPress because it just looks so much prettier, is most excellent to navigate, and offers a few more options than the other (see: iPhone app). All of this to say, if you are one of my trusty seven-or-so followers on blogspot, please follow me here, now. I promise I won't change again.
Today I began writing out my check for cheer when it struck me that I might be able to take a short, weekend-long vacation with that money. Here are a few of the things that I can do for the same amount (give or take $50) as my monthly cheer payment:
Flight & Hotel for: several TX cities, Boston, Colorado Springs, Los Cabos MX, or Nashville
Season ticket for the Majestic (two if I get the cheap seats)
Next year's camp for one kiddo
Chris now wants to know why I am looking at vacation deals for one. I just might need it, sweetie. I just might need it.
I am on day 2 of 4 off before heading back to work after two weeks off. So, so hard to go back after being gone for two weeks. Super glad that I had the foresight to take today off as recovery. We managed to navigate the tricky waters of catering to the agendas of six separate people while on a group vacation and had a fantastic time in Vegas. But with anytime you take a trip to an area with that much to do, we ended pretty much every day exhausted. Totally happy, but totally wiped. I came home (via 20 hour road trip) and in less than twelve hours was back on the road to attend CAMP, session one.
I love camp. It is one of my favorite things every summer and I am so bummed that I only was able to attend one this year. It, like Vegas, is exhausting physically, but completely recharges my soul. I love, love, love hanging out with the little guys and seeing the teenagers give their time and service so willingly gives me hope for this next generation. This will be the first time in nine years that I won't be attending camp with K. She says it is fine. Maybe for her...but not so much with me. If you see quasi-depressed posts next week...now you'll know why.
Because we are supposed to miss as few practices as possible, she skated in at almost 4:00 from being a Jr. Counselor and was back on the road a mere two hours later on the way to tumbling. On the plus side, she's the only freshmen working on her layouts, so yay for her! I can't wait to see everything she's doing pulled together on our first parent night. So proud.
Wonder if I should invest in a full-on screen-printed t-shirt with her picture OR one of those throw blankets that I can take to the winter football games. Hmmmm...what would embarrass her more?
Current mood: Rejuvenated spiritually. Waiting for the physical rest to catch up.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Let's See How This Works...
This is a test. It is only a test. If this had been a real blog, then
this header would be followed by quippy and thoroughly entertaining
text.
this header would be followed by quippy and thoroughly entertaining
text.
This test will allow me to look at the possibility of blogging while
on-the-go...particularly on vacation and at camp.
See you on the other side...
Sent from my iPhone
Time to Relax
The world of cheer parent politics is tricky. Note to self: do not get sucked in!
I went to watch stunting on Tuesday. The older girls were trying some advanced moves (naturally), but there was one group that dropped their poor flyer every single time she went up. Every. Single. Time. Luckily, she is pretty experienced, so she managed to land safely, but there were a couple of close calls. Just another reason I am thankful that K is a base and NOT being hurled into the air by a trio of tiny, barely-teenage girls. Does that mean that sometimes she comes home bruised up? Yes...but I'll take having her look like a street fighter over wondering whether which week I will be called to meet her in the ER.
And now it's time for a new segment...
Things NOT to do as a new Cheer Mom
Offer to drive every week because you have decided to combine your younger child's tumbling to happen at the same time as your cheerleader. While you might think this is a kind gesture - saving others on time and gas - you would be wrong. Instead, it is incredibly selfish to take away another parent's night to watch practice. Special note: this is especially egregious if (by taking your younger child) you no longer have an extra seat in your vehicle, thereby eliminating the ability to take along other parents.
It is vacation time for the hubby and myself. We are so excited to get out and relax under the bright lights of Las Vegas. Time for Road Trip 2010 (part 1). Then we come back for less than 24 hours and both kids and I go to camp. My next job for myself is figuring out how to update the blog from my phone. Look out for Cheer Mom on location.
Current mood: Not entirely excited about packing for both Vegas and Camp, but fully know it needs to be done.
I went to watch stunting on Tuesday. The older girls were trying some advanced moves (naturally), but there was one group that dropped their poor flyer every single time she went up. Every. Single. Time. Luckily, she is pretty experienced, so she managed to land safely, but there were a couple of close calls. Just another reason I am thankful that K is a base and NOT being hurled into the air by a trio of tiny, barely-teenage girls. Does that mean that sometimes she comes home bruised up? Yes...but I'll take having her look like a street fighter over wondering whether which week I will be called to meet her in the ER.
And now it's time for a new segment...
Things NOT to do as a new Cheer Mom
Offer to drive every week because you have decided to combine your younger child's tumbling to happen at the same time as your cheerleader. While you might think this is a kind gesture - saving others on time and gas - you would be wrong. Instead, it is incredibly selfish to take away another parent's night to watch practice. Special note: this is especially egregious if (by taking your younger child) you no longer have an extra seat in your vehicle, thereby eliminating the ability to take along other parents.
It is vacation time for the hubby and myself. We are so excited to get out and relax under the bright lights of Las Vegas. Time for Road Trip 2010 (part 1). Then we come back for less than 24 hours and both kids and I go to camp. My next job for myself is figuring out how to update the blog from my phone. Look out for Cheer Mom on location.
Current mood: Not entirely excited about packing for both Vegas and Camp, but fully know it needs to be done.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
The End of an Era?
Tuesday was K's final middle school choir performance. Even apart from the ridiculously high number of emotionally charged songs (even for a MS choir concert...), I felt a sort of sadness that night. I was on the edge of weepy - and most of those who know me are fully aware that I do not do "weepy" in public. It felt like we are closing a chapter on her life and my tiny little baby girl is suddenly all grown up.
And I am all grown up. What's funny is that I can still remember some of the songs we sang, some of the cheesy choreography we did, some of the cheap-shot "let's make mom cry by giving her a rose while standing in front of her and singing 'Wind Beneath My Wings' while also spelling it out in sign language" stunts from my own middle school choir years. It really doesn't seem that long ago. I miss that naive, optimistic child.
It really seems that a breath ago, I was rocking baby Katy on my lap. I cannot believe she is going to be in high school next year. Because of cheer, it is unlikely that she'll be able to do school choir anymore. She probably won't even be able to do church choir, either. Maybe that's what has made me so contemplative this whole week. And don't get me wrong, I'm not bitter or wishing she would live my high school life. In fact, I think that this will expose her to a whole side of high school that I really didn't ever get to see. Because of the intensity and sheer amount of time she will be committing to this program, she will take away experiences that can only a few can have. I would likely never admit this out loud to you, but I always secretly wanted to be a cheerleader in high school. A singing cheerleader. A singing nerdy cheerleader who also raised animals. What can I say...I'm complex.
Was it really three whole years ago that I was so worried about sending her to middle school? She was so shy - I was sure she would be easily led astray. And now, she has grown to such a confident young leader that I don't worry about her moving on to high school. I worry that these next four years will shoot by just as fast and then she'll be gone. For the first time as a mom, I feel like I'm not old enough to handle the emotional turmoil that will cause when the time comes. Hold on, there must be something in my eye...the monitor is getting blurry...
Kind of a bummer night...my bad. I was actually going to save the "End of an Era" type talk for her very last day of middle school, but ya know what? I can't. Because I will be in Vegas. Heck to the yeah. That will probably be best for all parties involved anyway...I'm sure she will be all sad and crying and stuff and there is a high probability that I might join in and make matters worse.
So...on to the next chapter. On to the big time.
Current mood: reflective...and a little heavy hearted
And I am all grown up. What's funny is that I can still remember some of the songs we sang, some of the cheesy choreography we did, some of the cheap-shot "let's make mom cry by giving her a rose while standing in front of her and singing 'Wind Beneath My Wings' while also spelling it out in sign language" stunts from my own middle school choir years. It really doesn't seem that long ago. I miss that naive, optimistic child.
It really seems that a breath ago, I was rocking baby Katy on my lap. I cannot believe she is going to be in high school next year. Because of cheer, it is unlikely that she'll be able to do school choir anymore. She probably won't even be able to do church choir, either. Maybe that's what has made me so contemplative this whole week. And don't get me wrong, I'm not bitter or wishing she would live my high school life. In fact, I think that this will expose her to a whole side of high school that I really didn't ever get to see. Because of the intensity and sheer amount of time she will be committing to this program, she will take away experiences that can only a few can have. I would likely never admit this out loud to you, but I always secretly wanted to be a cheerleader in high school. A singing cheerleader. A singing nerdy cheerleader who also raised animals. What can I say...I'm complex.
Was it really three whole years ago that I was so worried about sending her to middle school? She was so shy - I was sure she would be easily led astray. And now, she has grown to such a confident young leader that I don't worry about her moving on to high school. I worry that these next four years will shoot by just as fast and then she'll be gone. For the first time as a mom, I feel like I'm not old enough to handle the emotional turmoil that will cause when the time comes. Hold on, there must be something in my eye...the monitor is getting blurry...
Kind of a bummer night...my bad. I was actually going to save the "End of an Era" type talk for her very last day of middle school, but ya know what? I can't. Because I will be in Vegas. Heck to the yeah. That will probably be best for all parties involved anyway...I'm sure she will be all sad and crying and stuff and there is a high probability that I might join in and make matters worse.
So...on to the next chapter. On to the big time.
Current mood: reflective...and a little heavy hearted
Monday, May 10, 2010
Yep, I'm still kickin'
Oh, well. I thought I would be able to post last week. And yet I did NOT. KidVenture's finale went off super well. Kids Choir did an awesome job releasing their new CD. During all that madness, I managed to miss my husband for 8 of the first 10 nights he worked his new day shift. Luckily, he is wonderful and completely amazing and didn't complain (much...). And my DVR is so backed up from my lack of time to watch TV that I had to delete SEVENTEEN Jeopardy's. I'm not gonna lie. That hurt a little bit. All right, a big bit.
So, as predicted, Cheer Snob is working her way onto the irritated side of most members of the team. So it appears that the advice to my kid about keeping mouth shut and attitude positive is working. Yay, Cheer Mom. Peaceable, non-petty problem resolution? It's a new age in cheerleading. Speaking of, K came home concerned that some of her pom pom routine is a bit too much booty shaking and not enough pom-pomming. Not entirely sure what I can do about that. Luckily, this is one that will only be performed for other girls at summer camp. But, sadly, the world of cheer involves quite a bit of swinging hips and short skirts. We've talked a lot about modesty in a sport that encourages the opposite. Hello, real life. Didn't think I'd be introducing you to my daughter in the eighth grade, but I guess times, they are a-changin'. I feel like I should have the NBC "The More You Know" playing in the background as I type.
Just a few more school related activities and then all the summer fun begins! Each of the kids will be going to two camps (thanks grammie) and in less than three weeks, Chris and I are taking a little vacation ourselves. Woo hoo. Bring on summer - I can't wait.
Current mood: EXCITED - vacation in less than three weeks!!
So, as predicted, Cheer Snob is working her way onto the irritated side of most members of the team. So it appears that the advice to my kid about keeping mouth shut and attitude positive is working. Yay, Cheer Mom. Peaceable, non-petty problem resolution? It's a new age in cheerleading. Speaking of, K came home concerned that some of her pom pom routine is a bit too much booty shaking and not enough pom-pomming. Not entirely sure what I can do about that. Luckily, this is one that will only be performed for other girls at summer camp. But, sadly, the world of cheer involves quite a bit of swinging hips and short skirts. We've talked a lot about modesty in a sport that encourages the opposite. Hello, real life. Didn't think I'd be introducing you to my daughter in the eighth grade, but I guess times, they are a-changin'. I feel like I should have the NBC "The More You Know" playing in the background as I type.
Just a few more school related activities and then all the summer fun begins! Each of the kids will be going to two camps (thanks grammie) and in less than three weeks, Chris and I are taking a little vacation ourselves. Woo hoo. Bring on summer - I can't wait.
Current mood: EXCITED - vacation in less than three weeks!!
Friday, April 23, 2010
Settling In
Wow, it's been a long time since posting. It's been a crazy couple of weeks. With productions for me next week, it will be crazier coming up. But we've managed to maintain a nice balance here, even with the addition of three extra practices per week.
Poor K fell victim to her first cheer snobbery this week. Having a background in tumbling gives her quite the learning curve for the stunting aspects of cheer. So when one of the girls who had been making cheerleading a career these last several years decided that K wasn't experienced enough to spot her during stunts, it hurt K's feelings a little bit. My first reaction was to suggest maybe she should help the cheer snob take a tumble from the top of the pyramid (or whatever it is that they do nowadays...), but that seems like it is the opposite of helping this cause. No matter how much it would have made me feel better. Instead, I just told her to keep focused, keep learning, and stay away from that horrible girl.
This week, we ordered the new uniform pieces and accessories that we weren't able to purchase at the garage sale. Came up to juuuuuust about the same amount as ALL the used stuff we got before. Hardly seems comparable. And can anybody explain to me why it was necessary to purchase both a monogrammed bag AND backpack? Craziness. Even crazier? The text conversation Katy and I had while she was ordering everything (no moms allowed, but of course):
K - Cheer Mom! How many pairs of each color of hot pants are we supposed to buy?
CM - Doesn't the sheet of paper that coach sent home say one each?
K - I don't know
CM - Well...ask your coach.
K - How many of each color?
CM -What did coach say?
K - I need hot pants in each color
CM - What ARE hot pants?
K - Bloomers.
CM - What did the coach say?
K - I think I need two in each color
CM - What is everybody else getting?
K - Two in each color
CM - *sigh* FINE. Get whatever you need
K - Are you on your way yet?
And then later in the car...
CM - Soooo...why did we need to buy two of each color?
K - Well, the seniors said that after a few months, girls will start losing their hot pants. Then they'll steal yours and you need a back up
CM - So we're underwriting the thieves at $37/pair of fluffy panties. Beautiful.
The fun part of all this uniform stuff? Playing dress up the cheerleader. I've had her prance around in front of all the family members that have stopped by over the last two weeks. FUN. Luckily, she doesn't mind...yet.
Own or manage a business? Check out the new program ad option under the fundraising page.
Current Mood: PAR-TAY - it's Battle of Flowers today!
Poor K fell victim to her first cheer snobbery this week. Having a background in tumbling gives her quite the learning curve for the stunting aspects of cheer. So when one of the girls who had been making cheerleading a career these last several years decided that K wasn't experienced enough to spot her during stunts, it hurt K's feelings a little bit. My first reaction was to suggest maybe she should help the cheer snob take a tumble from the top of the pyramid (or whatever it is that they do nowadays...), but that seems like it is the opposite of helping this cause. No matter how much it would have made me feel better. Instead, I just told her to keep focused, keep learning, and stay away from that horrible girl.
This week, we ordered the new uniform pieces and accessories that we weren't able to purchase at the garage sale. Came up to juuuuuust about the same amount as ALL the used stuff we got before. Hardly seems comparable. And can anybody explain to me why it was necessary to purchase both a monogrammed bag AND backpack? Craziness. Even crazier? The text conversation Katy and I had while she was ordering everything (no moms allowed, but of course):
K - Cheer Mom! How many pairs of each color of hot pants are we supposed to buy?
CM - Doesn't the sheet of paper that coach sent home say one each?
K - I don't know
CM - Well...ask your coach.
K - How many of each color?
CM -What did coach say?
K - I need hot pants in each color
CM - What ARE hot pants?
K - Bloomers.
CM - What did the coach say?
K - I think I need two in each color
CM - What is everybody else getting?
K - Two in each color
CM - *sigh* FINE. Get whatever you need
K - Are you on your way yet?
And then later in the car...
CM - Soooo...why did we need to buy two of each color?
K - Well, the seniors said that after a few months, girls will start losing their hot pants. Then they'll steal yours and you need a back up
CM - So we're underwriting the thieves at $37/pair of fluffy panties. Beautiful.
The fun part of all this uniform stuff? Playing dress up the cheerleader. I've had her prance around in front of all the family members that have stopped by over the last two weeks. FUN. Luckily, she doesn't mind...yet.
Own or manage a business? Check out the new program ad option under the fundraising page.
Current Mood: PAR-TAY - it's Battle of Flowers today!
Monday, April 12, 2010
If Only I Had A Money Tree
I made it through financials night alive. And pretty happy, I must say. I mean, relatively, of course. Who can say that they are truly HAPPY that they just dropped almost five bills on uniforms in one night? Well, I'll tell you - somebody who would have had to pay double that for new ones, that's who.
The whole garage sale was as predicted. Luckily for us newbies, they showed us what all of the uniforms we would need looked like in the meeting before. She gave us the price list again. Reiterated the rules. And after that, we hoofed it over to the sale. All the women speed-walking as nonchalantly as they possibly could so that they didn't give that scent of desperation off to the other moms. You don't want the others to think that you have to buy used, natch. I, on the other hand, was not quite that subtle. Grammie had graciously volunteered to spring for anything we could find at the used sale, so I was at that door and ready to go. What? You aren't sure if you're holding that for someone else? Can I wait? NO - MOVE ON TO THE NEXT TABLE, K. I think my heart was even racing at the sport of it all at one point. OH NO! If we talk too long to Girl X, we will miss out on whatever Girl Y is selling. HA! Looking back, I probably had that wide-eyed, about to be hit by a truck kind of look. Whatever we did must have paid off. We ended up with both uniforms, both bodyliners (which are not, incidentally, leotards like I had supposed last week), warm-ups, rain coat, jersey, and even an extra couple of goodies that good-ole-Grammie thought that K must have.
We also received our first fundraising packets. To avoid clutter on this super-entertaining part of my blog, you can find all of that interesting information about the totally necessary products that you must have on the link above where it says "current Cheer Mom fundraisers." I know, I know - how did I ever come up with that page name? It IS a gift.
And also - I made it into the carpool. BIG SCORE. Aside from the increasingly panicky feeling that I was going to struggle every single Wednesday trying to get her to another city (yes, it's only Bulverde...), I have not reached that overly-involved Cheer Mom status where I WANT to sit and watch every practice. I really only like watching the ones where the girls do flips. And even then, I get bored after about thirty minutes. I guess that makes me still a fledgling Cheer Mom. Maybe that will change. I doubt it. But maybe. Look for tomorrow's post regarding whether or not I survived my first carpool driving experience with four cheerleaders in the car.
Current mood: satisfied and eager
I have FIVE followers now! I am so excited. My followership is growing. Yes, I am fully aware that I just invented that word.
The whole garage sale was as predicted. Luckily for us newbies, they showed us what all of the uniforms we would need looked like in the meeting before. She gave us the price list again. Reiterated the rules. And after that, we hoofed it over to the sale. All the women speed-walking as nonchalantly as they possibly could so that they didn't give that scent of desperation off to the other moms. You don't want the others to think that you have to buy used, natch. I, on the other hand, was not quite that subtle. Grammie had graciously volunteered to spring for anything we could find at the used sale, so I was at that door and ready to go. What? You aren't sure if you're holding that for someone else? Can I wait? NO - MOVE ON TO THE NEXT TABLE, K. I think my heart was even racing at the sport of it all at one point. OH NO! If we talk too long to Girl X, we will miss out on whatever Girl Y is selling. HA! Looking back, I probably had that wide-eyed, about to be hit by a truck kind of look. Whatever we did must have paid off. We ended up with both uniforms, both bodyliners (which are not, incidentally, leotards like I had supposed last week), warm-ups, rain coat, jersey, and even an extra couple of goodies that good-ole-Grammie thought that K must have.
We also received our first fundraising packets. To avoid clutter on this super-entertaining part of my blog, you can find all of that interesting information about the totally necessary products that you must have on the link above where it says "current Cheer Mom fundraisers." I know, I know - how did I ever come up with that page name? It IS a gift.
And also - I made it into the carpool. BIG SCORE. Aside from the increasingly panicky feeling that I was going to struggle every single Wednesday trying to get her to another city (yes, it's only Bulverde...), I have not reached that overly-involved Cheer Mom status where I WANT to sit and watch every practice. I really only like watching the ones where the girls do flips. And even then, I get bored after about thirty minutes. I guess that makes me still a fledgling Cheer Mom. Maybe that will change. I doubt it. But maybe. Look for tomorrow's post regarding whether or not I survived my first carpool driving experience with four cheerleaders in the car.
Current mood: satisfied and eager
I have FIVE followers now! I am so excited. My followership is growing. Yes, I am fully aware that I just invented that word.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Survival
We successfully navigated this first week of practices. Whoo! Despite the fact that the new gym is in Bulverde, we have to travel there during rush hour on 281, practice is on Wednesday (choir) night, and I missed the carpool sign-up since one of the mom's cars only seats four extras, we were on time and she did great. Everybody who thinks that carpool mom with only four seats should get bumped in favor of me having seven, raise your hand. Thanks.
But seriously, I might offer to take both her shift and mine, because even with that, I'm still driving less than doing it all on my own. Everybody wins.
AND Katy found a girl from this year's freshmen who is willing to sell her uniform (only one out of four will be passed down) (of course) and she has got to be the exact same size because it fits Katy perfectly. Score. Even the coach approves. Now, if we can find the warm-ups, jersey, "comp" (competition??? Help me here. Surely it is not "comp" as in complimentary. I wish :) top/skirt, and whatever a bodyliner might be at Monday night's free-for-all spirit garage sale, we will save some serious cash.
Is it horrible that I am secretly glad that the dance studio rehearsals are closed to parents? I am not sure I am cut out to sit and watch rehearsals for an hour and a half each day. Although maybe it's teaching me something about my aversion to just being still. We shall see. For now, I'm ready for the weekend. This was a lot to process in one week.
Current mood: exhausted & down one full tank of gas
But seriously, I might offer to take both her shift and mine, because even with that, I'm still driving less than doing it all on my own. Everybody wins.
AND Katy found a girl from this year's freshmen who is willing to sell her uniform (only one out of four will be passed down) (of course) and she has got to be the exact same size because it fits Katy perfectly. Score. Even the coach approves. Now, if we can find the warm-ups, jersey, "comp" (competition??? Help me here. Surely it is not "comp" as in complimentary. I wish :) top/skirt, and whatever a bodyliner might be at Monday night's free-for-all spirit garage sale, we will save some serious cash.
Is it horrible that I am secretly glad that the dance studio rehearsals are closed to parents? I am not sure I am cut out to sit and watch rehearsals for an hour and a half each day. Although maybe it's teaching me something about my aversion to just being still. We shall see. For now, I'm ready for the weekend. This was a lot to process in one week.
Current mood: exhausted & down one full tank of gas
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
The First Day
Katy's first night of stunting. Thank goodness that LOST still taped on the DVR. Chris made sure that happened. Only one of the many, many, many reasons that I am hopelessly in love with that man.
Looks like Katy will be a base. Somebody told her tonight that she was "beast." Uhhhh, ok? She is happy with that compliment. Craziness. She had a blast at her first team gym night. Can't wait for the rest of this week.
I totally passed by the gym tonight. Had to call one of my buddies to make sure that I could find the place. If I end up driving every night, I will definitely take BC's invitation for vino time in between rehearsals (sigh - practices). I may have missed the carpool recruitment. STINK.
Kate had so much fun. I am glad that she has found her niche.
I am also glad that I finally, finally figured out which uniform to buy for Katy. ONE, ONLY ONE!
Time for bed. LOST has me lost....still love Desmond/Penny storylines....
Current mood: Tired; let's go to bed, baby
Looks like Katy will be a base. Somebody told her tonight that she was "beast." Uhhhh, ok? She is happy with that compliment. Craziness. She had a blast at her first team gym night. Can't wait for the rest of this week.
I totally passed by the gym tonight. Had to call one of my buddies to make sure that I could find the place. If I end up driving every night, I will definitely take BC's invitation for vino time in between rehearsals (sigh - practices). I may have missed the carpool recruitment. STINK.
Kate had so much fun. I am glad that she has found her niche.
I am also glad that I finally, finally figured out which uniform to buy for Katy. ONE, ONLY ONE!
Time for bed. LOST has me lost....still love Desmond/Penny storylines....
Current mood: Tired; let's go to bed, baby
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Annnnnnnd we're off
So I work at a church, and more specifically, I work in the music department of a mega-church. Which means that my blogging has been severely neglected this last couple weeks due to rehearsals, rehearsals, rehearsals, and services, services, services. But hold tight...because this week? Practices begin.
I believe there are three. Katy is still over-the-moon excited, which = awesome. I am still waiting around, trying to figure out when I am going to figure it all out. I mean, I'm a pretty intelligent human being in the real world (which I'm starting to learn is not necessarily the same as the Cheer World), but I have to admit that I'm pretty clueless about this whole cheer business. Tryouts were bad enough...I stressed about whether I was supposed to buy bloomers or biker shorts. Bow or ribbon? If I buy the wrong thing, does she get kicked off? I almost directed her ride home to pick her up from the back on try-out day (disqualifiable offense) and blew all her chances. I am learning that a big part of being a Cheer Mom is following instructions. I can do that.
This week, we start tumbling and stunting. I hear that they have already changed practice times and that it is not all that unusual for that kind of change to happen frequently. My black calendar and I are a little nervous.
Next week, we have parent meeting (a.k.a. - "the financials") and uniform garage sale night. Being me, I have already called the school to see which uniforms we are to buy. Should I bring cash or do I write them a check? Are the tables organized by grade level or dance/cheer team? Apparently all my questions will be answered that night at the meeting. Thirty minutes before the free for all begins. I have visions of girls and moms knocking each other out of the way in the effort to try to save a few dollars by not ordering new. I mean, there were only twelve girls last year and twelve coming up...surely there is going to be some stiff competition out there. You know what this reminds me of? Buying used books for college. You feel like you're getting this great deal by buying used, but really you are only saving like 25% and still feel the pain in your bank account. I better get more mileage from these uniforms than I did those books...I did glean this handy piece of advice - "don't let the seniors scam you into buying all their stuff - they're just trying to earn money for college." Um, excuse me? I still don't know what the freshmen uniforms look like!! How will I even know?
I am so getting scammed.
Current mood: exhausted, but excited to find out what this week will hold
I believe there are three. Katy is still over-the-moon excited, which = awesome. I am still waiting around, trying to figure out when I am going to figure it all out. I mean, I'm a pretty intelligent human being in the real world (which I'm starting to learn is not necessarily the same as the Cheer World), but I have to admit that I'm pretty clueless about this whole cheer business. Tryouts were bad enough...I stressed about whether I was supposed to buy bloomers or biker shorts. Bow or ribbon? If I buy the wrong thing, does she get kicked off? I almost directed her ride home to pick her up from the back on try-out day (disqualifiable offense) and blew all her chances. I am learning that a big part of being a Cheer Mom is following instructions. I can do that.
This week, we start tumbling and stunting. I hear that they have already changed practice times and that it is not all that unusual for that kind of change to happen frequently. My black calendar and I are a little nervous.
Next week, we have parent meeting (a.k.a. - "the financials") and uniform garage sale night. Being me, I have already called the school to see which uniforms we are to buy. Should I bring cash or do I write them a check? Are the tables organized by grade level or dance/cheer team? Apparently all my questions will be answered that night at the meeting. Thirty minutes before the free for all begins. I have visions of girls and moms knocking each other out of the way in the effort to try to save a few dollars by not ordering new. I mean, there were only twelve girls last year and twelve coming up...surely there is going to be some stiff competition out there. You know what this reminds me of? Buying used books for college. You feel like you're getting this great deal by buying used, but really you are only saving like 25% and still feel the pain in your bank account. I better get more mileage from these uniforms than I did those books...I did glean this handy piece of advice - "don't let the seniors scam you into buying all their stuff - they're just trying to earn money for college." Um, excuse me? I still don't know what the freshmen uniforms look like!! How will I even know?
I am so getting scammed.
Current mood: exhausted, but excited to find out what this week will hold
Monday, March 22, 2010
Start Saving
This weekend, I opened up a new checking account at a bank other than the one I have used for the last twelve years or so. This new one has been designated as The Cheer Account. You see, despite the fact that Katy is still in eighth grade, our first installment is due in a couple weeks. Between that first payment, the used uniform garage sale (heck yeah), and tumbling/stunting at the new gym (also starting in two weeks), we will be shelling out around $500 or so.
Before she even leaves middle school.
Yes, I know I said I was proud and it was a great honor. I was, I am, it is. It is also an expensive honor. I am considering it my college payment preparation in order to preserve sanity. So to that end, when a certain credit union convenient to both work and home offered a $100 incentive to start a new account, I jumped all over it. Free money, right? Sweet. Likewise, when offered a chance to "monetize" my blog, I figured what the heck? Thus the newly added, well, ads you see to the right. Ads for which I am not am not soliciting clicks, incidentally. But if you happen to be interested and you WANT to click, then by all means ;)
I am also already planning my shameless fundraising plot even as I write this.
Mwu ha ha ha.
Yay! I have a follower! Thanks, Carrie. You, particularly, realize how much that means - HA.
Current mood: Wary and scheming....
Cheer Mom out...
Before she even leaves middle school.
Yes, I know I said I was proud and it was a great honor. I was, I am, it is. It is also an expensive honor. I am considering it my college payment preparation in order to preserve sanity. So to that end, when a certain credit union convenient to both work and home offered a $100 incentive to start a new account, I jumped all over it. Free money, right? Sweet. Likewise, when offered a chance to "monetize" my blog, I figured what the heck? Thus the newly added, well, ads you see to the right. Ads for which I am not am not soliciting clicks, incidentally. But if you happen to be interested and you WANT to click, then by all means ;)
I am also already planning my shameless fundraising plot even as I write this.
Mwu ha ha ha.
Yay! I have a follower! Thanks, Carrie. You, particularly, realize how much that means - HA.
Current mood: Wary and scheming....
Cheer Mom out...
Sunday, March 14, 2010
It begins
So.
My name is Mandy and I have a rising freshmen cheerleader (Hello, Mandy). I have been and done many things over the course of my career as a mother of two girls. Room mom, choir mom, PTA board member, fundraising chair, chauffeur extraordinaire. I have volunteered for field trips, copy room duty, and snacks. You name it, I have likely given it a try. I have done these things while being a single-mom, a full-time student, and a full-time employee (some all at the same time). But nothing has compared to the world I am at the threshold of entering by parenting a high school cheerleader.
Perhaps I should have started this blog a week ago when tryouts began. But that might have been counting my chickens, eh? I spent last week in a constant fever pitch driving my child from one school to another. Buying cheer-specific clothing. Panicking that I will be one minute late in dropping off and disqualify her before tryouts even started. I worried and worried that I would need to console a thirteen year-old girl on Thursday evening if her number wasn't posted on the list. But with lots of prayers, lots of extra time at the gym with her coach (thanks grandma!), and lots of hard work on her part, here we are. Her number did make the list and we are getting ready to start this new phase of life. I guess you could say that was last week in a nutshell.
And with that, I invite you on my new journey through not only her first year as a high schooler, which is scary enough, but with the added bonus that will come with my daughter in that sacred tradition of inciting the football crowd to a frenzy while wearing a short skirt. Of high-stakes and high-cost competition. Of bows and practices and practices. And practices.
Does that sound cynical? That might be because I have the cynicism gene embedded in my DNA. It could be that I don't have an ounce of girly in me and am scared to death of what being a Cheer Mom entails. And I am just beginning to learn that "Cheer Mom" IS a proper noun. But I couldn't be happier for or prouder of her. She worked her tail off to get here and I know that it will give her first year of high school a whole new outlook.
Current Mood: excited and tired. Waiting for the infamous "first financial meeting" in mid-April.
My name is Mandy and I have a rising freshmen cheerleader (Hello, Mandy). I have been and done many things over the course of my career as a mother of two girls. Room mom, choir mom, PTA board member, fundraising chair, chauffeur extraordinaire. I have volunteered for field trips, copy room duty, and snacks. You name it, I have likely given it a try. I have done these things while being a single-mom, a full-time student, and a full-time employee (some all at the same time). But nothing has compared to the world I am at the threshold of entering by parenting a high school cheerleader.
Perhaps I should have started this blog a week ago when tryouts began. But that might have been counting my chickens, eh? I spent last week in a constant fever pitch driving my child from one school to another. Buying cheer-specific clothing. Panicking that I will be one minute late in dropping off and disqualify her before tryouts even started. I worried and worried that I would need to console a thirteen year-old girl on Thursday evening if her number wasn't posted on the list. But with lots of prayers, lots of extra time at the gym with her coach (thanks grandma!), and lots of hard work on her part, here we are. Her number did make the list and we are getting ready to start this new phase of life. I guess you could say that was last week in a nutshell.
And with that, I invite you on my new journey through not only her first year as a high schooler, which is scary enough, but with the added bonus that will come with my daughter in that sacred tradition of inciting the football crowd to a frenzy while wearing a short skirt. Of high-stakes and high-cost competition. Of bows and practices and practices. And practices.
Does that sound cynical? That might be because I have the cynicism gene embedded in my DNA. It could be that I don't have an ounce of girly in me and am scared to death of what being a Cheer Mom entails. And I am just beginning to learn that "Cheer Mom" IS a proper noun. But I couldn't be happier for or prouder of her. She worked her tail off to get here and I know that it will give her first year of high school a whole new outlook.
Current Mood: excited and tired. Waiting for the infamous "first financial meeting" in mid-April.
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