Our American Cheerleader!



Me and our Cheerleader!





The past fortnight has passed very quickly.  Each day has presented it's own various tasks to complete and slowly, but steadily they have all been accomplished.

Our time has mostly been spent following the regular routine of school and work.  However the task of preparing a missionary has remained in the forefront.  Tom and I have spent alot of time together.  We have shopped, cooked, completed errands, had lunch out and have attended the Temple.  These will remain with me cherished memories of quality time with this third son of mine.

Rewarding ourselves with some mexican lunch after finding the last item -  a good coat!!
 (I will never think of mexican food the same again.  This is incredibly amazing!)

The pile on the dining table that was the result of the 'missionary list' grew, became stable and slowly declined as articles were made ready for the promotion to the suitcase!  I have hemmed and labelled everything in sight until we have been satisfied that all is in readiness.  This has been a great time of anticipation for Tom and a little hesitation for the rest of us as we realise that 'these are days never to be forgotten', and that change is imminent, however good that might be..

We were able to go out to dinner with the Mercer family to celebrate Paige's seventh birthday and as a last 'hurrah' for Tom!  We went to Casa Bonita, a mexican restaurant which is set up to imitate a mexican village.  There was entertainment as well as good food and company.  A lovely evening we will remember! Thank you Mercer family and Happy Birthday Paige!

The Casa Bonita -  a true Denver experience!

The Mercer family: Brooke, Kelsie, Jeff, Donna
Dillon, Caden & Paige (the birthday girl!)



Now to divert, I want to focus attention on my youngest child.  My Sarah who is busy as busy can be with school, home seminary and most especially as a Junior Varsity Cheerleader.  Who would have thought one of my daughters would be an American Cheerleader!

Sarah in the back row.  The JV Cheer team commands the third quarter of the Varsity games!



Sarah is a 'baser' which means she lifts the 'flyers'.  This task caused her initial concern in case they dropped the girl flying, but the girls work well as a team and have built up their personal strength admirably.  I was at tumbling one evening observing, and watched as Sarah performed a regular handstand, then another girl steadied her ankle as she commenced doing some pushups!!  Whoah! This is serious fitness and strength.  Cheerleading is a glamorous looking sport but it is actually very gruelling, requiring great commitment and physical strength.

Sarah as a 'baser' at an afternoon Soccer game at Columbine HS.

September, October and November is a busy time in the calendar of a High School Cheerleader. Not only are there early morning practices and a weekly tumbling session, there are football, soccer and volleyball games to cheer at.  This involves all of the JV games and some of the Varisity games. This also means the wearing of the cheerleading uniform to school in support of 'game days'.  There are a few uniform options, casual warm ups to three different performance outfits.  There is the coordinating of how the combination of the uniform is worn, including hair. This is usually decided by coach, for example, bangs(fringe) in a 'poof' and high ponytail with pink ribbon.  Wearing the cheer uniform also means glitter, and lots of it!  First gloss is applied to the cheeks and eye area, followed by the application of glitter! Lots of sparkle and bling! 



This is America!
 (The game lasts 3 hours and is televised on Root Sports!)



Columbine Rebels  (Sarah is right in the middle of the group..)

This month also brought the first of a series of six competitions.  The first happened at Eaglecrest High School last Saturday for the 'Kickoff Classic' followed by cheering at the JV Football game back at Columbine HS.  A busy day, but a memorable one. If any one has seen at all the 'Bring it On' Movies, it is so like it!! I was so impressed at the skill level of these junior cheerleaders.   In Sarah's division there were eight other teams.  At the end of the competition, Columbine JV Cheer Team came in a commendable fourth position, with using only limited skill levels due to team absences.  Well done girls, this was really exciting to watch and they will only improve as the weeks go on.

The competition routine. Sarah starts off crouching on the far left.

 (Note the 3 'spotters' at the back in case of falls)

 I have to insert here, that Sarah, who is now obviously taller than me, can now do a back handspring flip confidently!  I am more than impressed with this dedication to learn these physical feats, having never participated in gymnastics or the like before.  In the coming weeks, she will also be included in the tumbling during competition.. (I feel nervous thinking about that!)  Good work Sarah!!