Ok, Ok. Promise this is the last of the cheernastics pics for a while.

We're just having so much fun with this class!

Getting their pom poms in class for the first time.

Working on their cheer.

 

 Kicks!

 

Although I 'loathe'* Miley Cyrus' music, I have to admit this song is much more palatable when these cuties are dancing to it.

Passe, kick!

Practicing their pyramid.

She DOES NOT like the 'monster bar'.

One look at the expression on her face in the next pictures tells the story of her internal struggle and attempt to overcome her fear and put on a brave face.

Pretty sure Coach Kelly wasn't expecting any of the girls

to be able to do this!

And I'm not ashamed to tell you that Lydia was the only one to do it and do it well.  Let's go to the tape, shall we?

 

Sophie gets all the credit for teaching Lydia how to do this on Aunt Steph's blue couch! 




*Thank you, Madonna, for reminding me and the world of this otherwise snobby and elitist word.  You can bet your lucky star that more and more people will be using it now.

Back to the Mat

Lydia started gymnastics again after taking the summer off. 

This time around the class is called 'Cheernastics'.  Now tell me.  Could this be a more perfect class for a daughter of MINE??  And guess what?  SHE LOVES IT!!  I thought for sure that I'd enroll her in a class like this and she would hate it, fighting it kicking and screaming.  But no.  She thoroughly enjoys herself and I'm in heaven when I watch her.  Not that any of us lives through our kids.  We have a new coach this year, Coach Kelly and we absolutely love her.  She is amazing with the littles.

                                      

Cartwheel!!!

Coach Kelly already has them working on back handsprings.

Uh. Maze. Ing.

Hand. STAND!

Best tuck in class.

Gettin' her cheer on, Mama-style.

Heel streeeeetch!!

My nemesis.  

So glad she's about 1000 times better at this than I ever was.

This video is Lydia learning her first cheer!  This was taken during the very first class.  I'll have more to come (I'm sure) in the days to come.

First Day of School

For Lydia, that is.  Can't believe that she's started preschool already (or finally, depending on the day).  She's attending Prince of Peace Preschool, the same one that Cade went to.  She even has one of the same teachers he had his first year as well, Sheryl.  I had to warn her that they were night and day, and she smiled and said, "They always are."  

 

 While I will readily admit that I was looking forward to the day that Lydia started preschool, I will reluctantly admit that I miss little Miss Sassypants those 2.5 hours she's away.  I'm sure I'll get over it, though.

Goodbye, old friend!

For the past six years, I've been stuck with this gem for my ID and driver's license.  It's been fodder for many a party and has been the source of many guffaws on my son's part.  I've been told anything from, "Wooowww..." to "OH MY GOD!" to "You're a good sport!" for letting anyone other than those who are required to see it see it.  But what else am I gonna do?  It's too obviously* horrible to take seriously.  Of course I had to laugh at it.  I've always thought the little ghost picture under my d.o.b. was a riot, too.  Like I really needed two of those pictures.  Today I went in to get its replacement.  I don't have it yet to post because they just give you that receipt with a sketchy black and white copy of the photo they took.  And it better be a freakin' Glamour Shot this time!  No more shocked looks of horror and disbelief from unsuspecting cashiers or bank tellers.  I've had my fill,  thankyouverymuch.  I won't know for another week or so what it really looks like, though.  Apparently that's the turnaround these days.  So for now, please allow me to bring you some comedy relief and get your weekend started off right.

*it is obvious that it's not what I really look like, right?  I mean, I know we probably look different to ourselves, but come on!  The only time I feel I look like that is if/when I get goosed or somebody asks me if what they're wearing makes them look fat.  Although, if you notice, it was taken the day before I turned 30.  I'm thinking this was my subconscious reaction to that realization.  Pretty much sums up how I've felt every Sept. 8th since, too.

Party of the Year

 

Welcome to all my new visitors!

You know why you're here and you know what to do.  

So click, reminisce (if you can remember), and enjoy!

Crazy Weekend Part C

These photos are from the Topeka Jayhawk Club's Annual football pep rally. It was the right end parenthesis to the crazy weekend of July 30/31st. And now I think I've finally recovered. Poor Lydia. She was wiped from the constant going, so she wasn't as excited to pose with the cheerleaders and dancers when we got there. She was happy to stand back and watch the show snuggled up with daddy.

NOW she's definitely in her element.
I wish I would have taken a photo of all the little girlies together in their cheer outfits.
They were adorable!


Lydia surprised everyone (no one more than herself) by going right
up to Baby Jay for a high five.

Then our eyes nearly fell out of our sockets when she
gave him (or is it a her?) a big hug.

Cade's turn.

She was happy sitting behind the squads cheering with Baby Jay.

Cade with Big Jay.
This year's Big Jay is. HUGE.
And of course Lydia wouldn't go anywhere NEAR him.
Self needs to take a look at this guy, fo sho!

I thought Lydia was going to lose it when Big Jay came and sat next to us.
He handed her an autographed program and she was in heaven.
She said, "Mommy! HE SIGNED IT!!!!"

All in all it was a good time. This was the first time they've had it indoors. It was about 110 degrees outside and about 85 inside, which is better than 110, but it was still pretty stifling. I think I like the ones that have been outside better, though. Spread us out a little bit.
Anyway, ROCK CHALK!!