Cheerleading

Kate had the opportunity to go to a Cheer camp with a local High Schools Cheer squad.  They did a clinic where they taught all the girls who came cheers and a dance and then the next week all the kids from the clinic went on the sideline with the Cheerleaders and cheered for the first half of the football game, along with performing a dance. 

Kate usually gets really timid and scared doing new things like this but her Preschool teacher had talked it up so she was certain she was wanted to do it.  We got to the High School gym on the day of the clinic and there were about 60 little girls there.  It was a little chaotic but Kate put on a brave face and headed out to the gym with the rest of the kids.  Gabriella, Clayton and I sat in the bleachers watching while Kate was sorted into a group and taught different cheers.  Kate loves structure and doesn't do well in situations where she feels like no one is in charge and taking care of her.  She struggled at first but after quickly made up her mind (which involved me having to join her group and do the cheers with her) she decided she could do it.  They rotated stations around the gym and every once in awhile Gabriella, Clayton and I would wander around to check on her.  The clinic lasted 3 hours and Kate loved it.

The next Friday night was the game night.  That morning I was talking with Kate about performing at the game and she started crying and told me she didn't want to do it.  I tried to talk her into it but she wanted nothing to do with it.  She headed to Preschool that day and I'm not quite sure what happened but she came home with a whole new attitude.  She told me she did want to do it so we rushed around to get her ready, ate a quick dinner and headed out to the game.  Matt helped get her onto the field and then headed to the stands with Gabriella, Clayton, and Morgan.  I stood down in the front to get pictures and videos while Kate performed during the whole first half of the game.  They put her in the front considering she was one of the smallest kids there and she did a great job.  She looked really happy and told me she had a great time.  I was proud of her for making up her mind to follow through with it even though she was scared.