Second Cheer Competition

Yesterday, Arabella had her second cheer competition. We drove an hour and a half northwest from here to Gardner Webb University in Boiling Springs, North Carolina. This competition was much larger and there were a lot more teams than the last one we attended. There were 4 other "tiny" teams that her team competed against...her team placed 5th which in my eyes it doesn't matter where they place, just as long as they have a good time. (Our team us pretty young, there are 4 year olds on it and a few of the other teams had girls as old as 7, and they were bigger teams.) I know that Arabella and her teammates will continue to work hard tumbling and practicing for the next competition in March. I am so proud of you Arabella. You haven't once complained about going to practice and you love your coaches, teammates and cheering. Keep up the amazing work!!! I have been trying to upload the video all day...when I figure out how to get it to load, I will post it. And because I was recording this time, I only snapped a few pictures...

All the teams on the floor waiting for the results and trophies.

January Randomness

In an effort to bring the blog completly up to date and clear every pciture off the camera memory card, I figured this random titled blog post, with random things would fit the bill. So here goes...so far this month, we have spent a lot of time playing on the new pirate ship...

Someone took this corner a bit too fast!

Max is starting to climb...not sure this is the intended use for the pirate ship...

There were record low temperatures here in Charlotte. It was 8 degrees one morning last week and because the buildings and buses are not made for that cold of weather, which is really nothing compared to what we are used to, Arabella had 2 hour delays for 2 days last week. I personally think that it was a bogus reason to start school late, but I grew up in Connecticut and just spent 3 1/2 years in snowy and cold Quebec! Arabella even thought it was a bit silly!

Arabella and I planted a baby evergreen tree we received from The Honest Company. Once it gets a bit bigger we will plant it outside.

Arabella and Max received a box from Nana with Christmas gifts earlier this week...they both enjoyed opening them. Thanks Nana.

So that is our January so far. Stay tuned for more of our adventures this month!

Saturday Afternoon Exploring

Last Friday and Saturday, we had a ton of rain. Torrential downpors, thunder, flash food watches, humidity and temperaturs in the mid-60s, it was crazy. It was hard to believe that it was the beginning of January and the we had record low temperatures earlier in the week! Once the bad weather cleared out, we put on our rain boots and went for a walk to get out of the house. We headed to the green space and small stream to check things out. Arabella and I spent time exploring and checking things out. We put sticks and leaves in the stream and watched them float down stream. We looked for moss and other interesting things. We even found a huge white mushroom that we watched float for a while. Max and Jay got bored and went back home...that was a role reversal! It was nice to be out in nature, exploring even the smallest details with my girl.

1st Cheer Competition

About a week and a half ago, Arabella and her cheer gym had their first cheer competition of 2014. It was in Concord, NC, which is about an hour away from us. Arabella and her Tiny teammates have been practicing for this event since September. You could see that they were excited but nervous. I, along with the other cheer moms, had nervous butterflies for them. It was crazy to see all the teams and not knowing what to expect was a bit nerve wracking too! There were a few teams ahead of our girls so while our girls were off warming up and praying with their coaches (yes, I said praying, before each team from our gym goes out on the mat, they say a prayer...I know some people might be offended by this, but I think it is a nice and positive way to start the routine.) we had something to take our minds off our girls. Before we knew it, it was our turn and the rest of the Flyers (the older girls) and the moms, were on the floor behind the judges table to cheer on our Diamonds. You could tell they were nervous when they ran out and as the coaches were making sure they were in their places, there was a bit of confusion, but they did GREAT!! Once the music started, they were in their little groove and rocked it. Their cheer buddies were holding signs with their names on it and we had out spirit sticks that we were shaking for them. The smiles on their faces at the end of the routine was priceless. And all the time they have spent working on cartwheels, facials and liberties paid off...they placed 1st in their division!! Each girl received a trophy and they were so proud of their performance. And I am just as proud, my little bean is officially a cheerleader and she is amazing. She is working so hard and not once has she complained about going to practice and tumbling. We have another competition coming up at the end of the month and I just know that with each competition, they will keep getting better and more confident. Way to go Waxhaw Flyer Diamonds...keep it up girls...we love you!!

Arabella and her older cheer buddy, Carlie!

Cheering on the other squads with team mates!

My beautiful girl!

So proud of her trophy!

And that is one worn out little cheerleader!

Wordless Wednesday

Pirate Boy Max's 1st Birthday Party

I can't believe how quickly Max's 1st Birthday snuck up on me. I feel like I hardly planned anything for his party, and in comparison to Arabella's 1st Birthday, I didn't. I am sorry Maxton, and I promise that next year, your Birthday party will be different.

Since we have been calling him Pirate Boy since before his birth, I decided to do a bit of a pirate theme. I made him a cake in the shape of a pirate ship, which proved to be a bit challenging, but I think it came out good. All things considered, this was the first time I have ever cut shapes out and placed them to make a different shape for a cake.

Arabella helped to make his "smash" cake and she did a fabulous job!  Max loved it!

Arabella was also in charge of the decorations. They were a mix of Christmas garland, ballons and streamers. It was festive to say the least, but I guess this is what happens when you let a 5 1/2 year old take over the decorating duty!  I especially love the balloon on the Christmas tree and Max had fun wrapping himself up in the streamers.

It was time for cake before we knew it and in front of Grampie, Aunt Margo, Arabella, Jay and I, Max had fun smashing and destroying his cake. At first, he wasn't too sure about it, but when he figured out that he could make a huge mess, he had a ball!

After the cake, we changed into pj's and opened a few presents. He had fun ripping through the paper and checking out a few more new toys...just in case he didn't get enough at Christmas! (I guess that is the blessing/curse of being born so close to Christmas!)

He took off pushing his pirate ship boat from Auntie Lori and he hasn't stopped. Thank you Grampie and Auntie Margo for sticking around for a few extra days to celebrate with Max.

Happy 1st Birthday my baby boy. I love you so much!