Well.
The Youth Center was offering cheerleading lessons for kids 4-12, and Natalie asked if she could do them. I said yes, because she was so excited about it. (The Youth Center, by the way, is this awesome place on military bases. It offers childcare, opportunities for sports, and kids 10 and over can hang out with friends playing pool, ping pong, video games, etc..)
Natalie seemed to catch onto the cheers quickly. I'd be completely lost. I'd turn right when we were meant to turn left. I'd trip over my feet. But Natalie? She didn't fall over. Well. I lie. She did once, because she is mine.
Her first game was last weekend.
"Make sure you give me a high ponytail. Cheerleaders have high ponytails," she told me matter-of-factly.
I tried my best, but I couldn't figure out a high ponytail. It was sort of a middle of the head ponytail.
"This doesn't seem right," Natalie said glumly.
I think she was still miffed about it, because as we walked to the Youth Center, she went way ahead of me. I offended her. See that pink speck with the poms? That's her.
She seemed to have fun at the game. They cheered for 7 and 8 year olds playing basketball. (There's her low ponytail on display.)
Here's part of a cheer. She's the one at the end doing a leg kick that would cause me to be incapacitated for a week.
Her next game is tomorrow.
Maybe I'll figure out how to do a proper high ponytail.
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so cute though!
ReplyDeleteShe's adorable!
ReplyDeleteKeep pulling that brush under the hair and yank her hair to the heavens mom! Lol. Or just have her hang her head over and brush up.
Remember be aggressive. B-E aggressive!!
Former cheertator here....
Ohh my gosh, she's got that high kick like its nothing! She's born to be a dancer or gymnast. Cheerleading you should keep her motivated to do. I agree that I wouldn't want my (future) daughter to request to cheer. On the contrary, I also participated in a youth cheer camp. Our local high-school ran the program where varsity cheerleaders coached us. We only had one JV game we cheered at...your daughters pony looks classy. A high pony isn't hard, think of Pebbles from the Flintstones!
ReplyDelete- Harlynn
mindyourmadness.blogspot.com
She's a natural! Love her high kick :-) High pony tails can be hard to do depending on the hair type. All 3 of my girls have different textures and degrees of thickness of hair. A trick is to use a spray bottle of water and spritz the top of her head while taking her hair and lifting the bottom and spraying underneath. Then brush underneath gently pulling up as you go and brushing the top to get it smooth. If you really want to get it smooth without fly aways and make sure it stays put you can spray with hair spray when you get to that point and brush through her hair while holding the pony tail part in your hand. Make sure to use good ties for heavy/thick hair or the pony will come out or break. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! We'll see how it goes tomorrow.
DeleteI have raised 2 cheerleaders who are not morning people. They didn't get 'perky' until well after lunch. The secret to the high ponytail is to have her bend over at the waist and gather her hair at the crown of her head, combing to make sure it is all gathered tight and smooth. Bobby pin any strays.
ReplyDeleteI love it! She is adorable!
ReplyDeleteShe's a natural! I was the exact opposite with my daughter (now 25) I was a cheerleader and thought she'd be one also. uh, notsomuch. When I suggested it, she looked at me like I'd just suggested she skin a cat or something! I did however get the high ponytail with bow for the duration of her volleyball career. :)
ReplyDeleteShe looks adorable, but this is one of my worst fears as a girl mom that is, in no way shape or form, girly.
ReplyDeleteShe looks adorable, but this is one of my worst fears as a girl mom that is, in no way shape or form, girly.
ReplyDeleteShe is adorable! I wasn't a cheerleader, but on the dance team. I wasn't too peppy, but I did love to dance. I think it's awesome that she's excited about it. You'll get the high ponytail soon enough ;)
ReplyDeleteShe is so cute!! I was a cheerleader and have great memories of it. My mom was totally not into either. She always is like you are nothing like me. hahaha but in many ways I am. lol.
ReplyDeleteShe looks so cute!!! You'll get that ponytail down, I'm sure! :-)
ReplyDeleteOooh! She is so cuute!!! Absolutely adorable!
ReplyDeleteLooks like such fun time for her!
ReplyDeletexx katie // a touch of teal
So cute! I'm glad she's having fun! I am totally with you on the no pep in the morning thing. My husband leaps out of bed each morning and sings his way through getting ready, cheerful as can be. I am the exact opposite. If we ever have a cheerleader daughter, he will have to be on morning duty! :)
ReplyDeleteThat high kick is really good! I'm terrible at any kind of pony tail, so I think you did great!
ReplyDeleteGood for her! My friend has two daughters who cheer, and they love it. You low ponytail didn't seem to make a dent in her enthusiasm!
ReplyDeleteOh but she's so cute as a cheerleader!! Love the ponytail, high kicks and the uniform!! But I am the same way as you....coffee is needed to converse or smile before 10! Have fun at the game today!!
ReplyDeleteOh how cute! And that's a dang high kick! I have no coordination whatsoever but one of my daughters is a dancer so go figure.
ReplyDeleteI like her low ponytail. She stands out! Although she does anyway - in all good ways.
ReplyDeleteLove this! I did cheer growing up and it's a good way to get some energy out of your system. So there's that. Haha.
ReplyDeleteCheer hair is the bane of my cheer mom existence. I despise it.
ReplyDeleteHaha I'm so not peppy before 11am either, but I was a cheerleader back in the days. HA
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute cheerleader! That kick was impressive.
ReplyDeleteI love doing the hair of my friends' daughters... but probably only because it's a novelty and not something I have to deal with on a daily basis.
Natalie looks adorable. I love that you have a girly girl! I think you are one, too, but it's deeply hidden ;>)
ReplyDelete