Winter Cheers

My adorable little Cheerleader was so excited to be cheering

for the first time!

I couldn't resist having her pose on the court after a game...you know me!

Showing Mommy her high kicks!

Concentrating and remembering all of those chants

and moves was hard work, but Lauren shined like a

star on the court!

Cheering on the ball teams before a game.

There was only one cheer squad per game, and they cheered for both teams.

I thought that encouraged good sportsmanship.

The proud parents!

Cousin David and Aunt JuJu came to one game, and David

did an excellent job sitting still with Lauren while she cheered. You know

how hard it is to get a toddler to sit still!

Showing Mommy her high jump!

2009 brought a "dream " come true for Lauren...cheerleading! Yep, that's right! At the same church where Lauren plays fall/spring soccer, they offer basketball and cheerleading during the winter months. Well, Lauren has talked non-stop about cheerleaders since she was 3. She would say "it's my dream to be a cheerleader." Well, who am I to stand in the way of a 5 year old realizing her dream? He he he

Frankly, I was hoping that she would be interested in basketball instead, since she has the height and athleticism for it. However, that is just not where her interests lie, so it would not be in her best interest to force her to participate in something that she does not have interest in. My father was a bit disappointed about that, big basketball fan that he is, but he understood our decision. But, to see Lauren out there cheering, building up her confidence and courage, turning cartwheels, and doing jumps, you would have thought that she'd been at it for quite a while. Lauren was a natural. I do believe that it was the 2 years in dance that has helped her!

We'll see what next winter holds as far as what activity Ladybug chooses. I had mentioned to her about the possibility of alternating years between cheering and basketball, and she seemed open to that idea. We were all so proud of our little Ladybug trying so hard and putting forth so much effort. She probably had the largest cheering section of any cheerleader or ball player on the court! She is a hard worker and good listener. She always has a lot of determination to try her best in everything that she does. That life skill will take her far in whatever career path she chooses some day.