Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Cheer Banquet!

You didn't think that I was done with talking
about cheer and cheerleading, did you?

Freshman Squad with Coach Katy
Now that cheer has been finished for a couple of weeks, 
it was time for the
End of the Cheer Season Banquet last weekend.

Although extremely busy at times with practices and games,
it was a really fun year for my freshman cheerleader!
Besides being active and getting loads of exercise,
she gained a lot of confidence and learned many valuable lessons
from being part of a team.
One of the best things about the whole cheer experience  was having a
"big sister."  All the seniors are big sisters to the younger girls and
her big sis Alyse was a real model of cheer, positive behavior and teamwork!


Finally, a reason for Mads to get out of the yoga pants/leggings
and tee-shirts for the banquet.
Not being much of a "dress" girl, Maddy recycled a 
dress from 7th grade! 
Yes, it still fit though shorter than it was back then 
due to someone getting taller!

Freshie Cheerleaders!
We had such a great time celebrating the Varsity, JV
and Freshman squads and all their hard work.
It was especially touching to hear the seniors talk about
the friends they've made on cheer and their thanks to their parents
and coaches for making it all such a great experience.

Look at the yummy cakepops and cake!
Can you say DELISH!!





Maddy received the Smile Award for the best smile and
attitude in the Freshman squad!
Love that girl's smile!

Next up -- cheer tryouts next week!

GO BOLTS!

Monday, March 20, 2017

Hippity Hoppity

It's that time of year -- time to change the
door art to a spring design!


Door art is fairly popular in our neighborhood.
It so much fun to see what the neighbors will come up with next.

One neighbor had a Giant Hershey Kiss for 
Valentine's Day!
When Maddy saw it, she said it would be perfect for me! 
 Oh yes -- the girl knows me well!


Since St. Patrick's Day is over, we just retired our Shamrock and
are so excited to show off our polka-dot bunny!

We love how the change of season and/or celebrations
are displayed on the doors around our area!
My favorites are the new one -- the bunny, of course,
but also love our ice cream cone for summer
and the birthday cake for birthdays!

Do you do door art in your neighborhood?

Friday, March 17, 2017

Random Thoughts

TGIF and Happy St. Paddy's Day!

Finally -- we are enjoying some warmer temps and sunny skies!
Love that the grass is greening up, birds are singing and
the furnace isn't running full blast!


My neighbor's daffodils are blooming!
This is the time of year that I love  - so nice to get outside to
walk/run, see the neighbors, find out the neighborhood news, etc.
Hoping that our boulevard that was decimated last fall for
street work gets some much-needed attention and
will not be a mud-pit!

What's on your weekend agenda?
Tidying up around the house and yard is the top of my list!
Beauty and the Beast also on the schedule.
What about you?
Have a fabulous weekend friends!



Friday, March 10, 2017

Keep Calm and Tap Dance!

Do you tap?
After cheerleading and the early morning practices ended 
a couple weeks ago,  Maddy decided to try something totally new!
Tap Dancing!


We found a "Tap for Teens" class at a dance studio she 
went to years ago.  After two "try it out first" classes, she was hooked!  
She said it is very fun, but way harder than it looks!
She wanted me to join in -- but (1) I'm not a teen by a very long shot; and
(2)  I have no sense of rhythm and fell over during a trial
Zumba class.
 Me = No Coordination!!
I can walk and I can run (a little -- not too far)
 -- that's the extent of my athletic abilities!


As luck would have it (for me anyway), parent visitation was
last week and they only have those once per semester.
During the two classes she attended,  I had been peeking through the windows,
 but all I could
see was a lot of legs and feet moving very, very quickly!
I thought there were 15-20 girls in the class, but only 9 --
just lots of feet tapping!
So nice that they are all around the same age -- most are
freshmen or sophomores in high school.


She's learning very quickly and having the best time!
It's totally a nice break from studies on Tuesday evenings.
Our new motto is
"Stay Calm and Tap Dance"
Happy Weekend!

Monday, March 6, 2017

Well Hello March and 14 Years Together!

Hello March!
It feels like thunderstorms are on the way.
Yes, I should be a weather forecaster!
Look what it was like 14 years ago in Hong Kong!


The warm weather today reminds me of what it was like so many years ago
in the People's Republic of China!
It was warm and humid (as you can tell from my curly hair).
Such a special day for our family  ---
we finally met our sweet baby girl Maddy Mei.


Sometimes called Gotcha Day and
also known as Family Day marks the day 
when Maddy joined our family.
We already loved her from the photos we received earlier,
but meeting her in person was so special.
Such chaos going on all around us, but all we could
see was our beautiful girl.

Happy 14th Family Day!