Introducing the Best

and we've only just begun!!

This is how Sophia's cheer squad's chant goes. It is very fitting.

This weekend was the State Championships for cheer. It was a great weekend!

Friday after Sophia got out of school, Connor, Sophia, my mom and I started our trip to competition!  We stopped halfway to get something to eat and then back on the road. It took us almost 3.5 hrs to get there since we stopped for gas and dinner.  Finally got to the hotel and that's when all the fun started. 

Checked into the hotel. Got in the elevator. Drunk guys get in elevator. Drunk guy leans against door so when we get to our floor the doors don't open. Goes up another floor. Oh, did I mention i don't like elevators much. I am always afraid I'll get trapped in one. weird I know.  So when the doors open on the 3rd floor, I take the kids and head for the stairs. Bad Idea! The stairs in this hotel are only for fire exits. they only lead to the outside and you have to go all the way down, outside and back around to the lobby. ARGH!  So the kids and I walk around, grab a luggage cart and head back to the elevator. This time, no problems. whew. 

Finally get in our room, get the luggage stashed, cheer uniform hanging, poms out of the bag to get unsquished.  Mom and the kids want to go for a walk. No problem. Pool was soo crowded so we didn't even swim. Instead we went back upstairs and the kids watched tv while I checked email and mom did a breathing treatment. Finally it was bedtime.  Sophia and mom shared a bed, Connor and I shared a bed.  Sophia fell asleep first. Connor didn't want to go to sleep. Thankfully he finally did around 10.

Saturday morning, Sophia in all her excitement was up at 6am!!! A full hour before the alarm was set to go off.  Mom, Sophia and I started getting stuff ready so when Connor got up we could go down to breakfast.  Called Wayne to see where him and dad were. They were already on the road when I called at 6:15. They had left at 5:20!!! Took the kids to breakfast then Wayne and dad got there. I started getting Sophia's hair done so while I was finishing up, Mom and Connor went down with Wayne and dad so they could eat. 

Sophia and I finally got done with her hair and we went down to register. Since we had about an hour before she had to be in the practice room, we went back up to our room. She was mad because I wouldn't let her play.  Finally it was time to go to the practice room.  All the girls from her squad were there and they were having fun taking pictures and talking.  Got some great pics of the girls together. 

Then it was competition time! First the Hip Hop groups went first. Then Cheer division 1 went. That's the division Sophia's in. Her squad was the last to perform and they did great!!  They were so excited when they got done.  Then we had a break. Yay!   There was a professional photographer there doing cheer pics so we got Sophia's done. Can't wait til they come in.

After the break, the older girls had their routine to do then it was awards time! So they announced 3rd place, not our girls. 2nd place, not our girls. 1st place? Yep..our girls won!!!!  Division 1 State Champions!! woohoo!!!  Just seeing the look on Sophia's face when she got her medal and trophy was worth all the money and stress we've gone through in the past 16 weeks!  She was soo excited. 

All the squads from our gym won 1st in their divisions!  We are proud of all of them. As the girls say.. "we are Dragons and we are Proud of You! Woohoo!!" 

Sophia has now decided she wants to do Summer AND Fall sessions.  She wants another trophy.  I'm just happy we finally found something she likes!

It was a long drive home though. Both kids fell asleep about an hour into the 3hr drive and woke up about an hour before we got home.  Sophia of course was still wearing her medal with her trophy next to her on the floor.  Even though she said she was happy this session was over because now she doesn't have to practice, she's still doing her routine all over the house.  She has watched the video of their routine over and over. 

Such a proud moment for this momma.....