My Daughter Thinks I'm a Cheerleader!

OK, so we're on vacation and go to ride a restored antique carousel in Port Dalhousie/St. Catharine's, ON.  One of the operators has a national cheerleading competition T-shirt over the back of her bike.  And my daughter turns to me and says: That means that there are three cheerleaders here: her, and you and me!

First practice

Well, I did it.  I went to my first practice.  Everyone was great, welcoming me, telling me their names, showing me the ropes.  The regular coach wasn't there, he's on vacation, and I told folks I couldn't be back until the fall because my family vacation starts next week.  

There were some women there who were in REALLY good shape.  But there were others who were just in average shape, and so I fit in OK there.   Some of the team were working on back handsprings (WOW), but others were like me, struggling to stand up after a forward roll and to keep the legs straight for a cartwheel and round-off.  Everyone had lots of encouragement for everyone else, and although it was a little intimidating trying to do this in front of the parents who were there to watch their kids practice in the other half of the gym, I pretty much just shut them out and concentrated on what I was doing.  In time, I guess I'll have to do it in front of lots of other people, at competitions, so I guess I'd better get used to an audience.  The idea of a cheeleader without people to cheer is a little ludicrous.

And I finally told my husband that I thought I'd like to do this.  He did laugh.  But he didn't object or anything, and to be fair, I laugh at his model train hobby sometimes, so I really can't complain.

The cute little skirts

My daughter watched a video of the parent team last week.

"But you don't get to wear the little skirts!" she complained.

And I thought to myself, Thank God!

Really, my thighs at 16 would have been trouble in those things.  My thighs at almost-37... forget it!  I'm good with the yoga pants or capris or whatever, thank you!

Still, I know what she's saying.  There's something almost iconic about those cute little skirts.  Can you really be a cheerleader without them?

progress report

Went to the gym three times this week.  Intended 5, but between work and then hosting a dinner party last night, didn't make it.  Still, three times in a week is pretty good, right?

Was at the gym with my daughter this morning.  They did a couple of pyramids, it was awesome!  Made me want to do it, too.  And on the way home, she talked about maybe taking a tumbling class in the fall, and asked if I could take it with her if I'm on the parent team.  I don't know the answer, it'll depend on the timing, but it would be fun to do this with her.

Still planning to go to the parent class Tuesday night.  Looking forward to it, and nervous about it, too.  But I do know (at least to see) two others who are on it, their kids on on the same team as mine.  That should help....

Darn!

As much as I was nervous about going to parent cheer class on Tuesday night, now I'm annoyed that I can't.  My spouse has to work, so I'm on child care duty.  Now, I love my daughter and all, but I guess as I was actually looking forward to it.  

Maybe I'll try next Tuesday.

Or, as Yoda said, do or do not.  There is no "try."

Signing up...

Through the summer, the cheer gym offers parent cheer classes on Tuesday nights from 7:30 to 9.  I haven't gone yet.  

First, I had assumed that one had to sign up for the whole summer (like the kids had to), and since I'm going to be away with the family on vacation for four weeks, plus my occasion Tuesday night work commitment, it just didn't seem like the right time.

Second, I didn't want to tell my husband where I'd be going.  I still think he'd laugh at me.

Third, I'm a chicken.  

But I called tonight and apparently I can go next Tuesday night to a "trial" class for $10.  (They do the same thing for kids who are just getting into the sport.)  It's perfect timing because my husband and daughter are away for the week getting some daddy-daughter time.

So I'm going to go.  GULP.  Talk about making it real.

Did a weight training class tonight, really pushed myself to see what weight I could lift, feels good but am I going to be sore in the morning!!!