This week was so busy but fun. I had my first rugby game and my cheer assessments!

He said

Well, with the last biggest Cheer competition out of the way, and the disappointment that came with the result out of the way, Cheer became a lot more fun this week. The practices moved to more fun-based and working towards level-up skills as they look to plan for next season’s teams and where the kids will be placed. Emelia loved being able to show off the skills that came back into her repertoire, but more importantly was having pure fun and so were her teammates. And, not only that, on Saturday was also the end of year banquet for CheerStrike. And while I wasn’t able to make it (work), Danielle was able to take Emelia and they had an absolute blast. Some of it was bittersweet as some girls are retiring and also because the teams may have a different composition next year. But the banquet was all about celebrating all the hard work that happened this year as well as the giving the teams as they stood this season one last hurrah together.

Also, this week was Emelia’s first ever rugby game for Lucas. And thankfully it worked into a day I had off. And good because their first game was at Parkside out in St Thomas which is 30 minutes out of town. The surprising news that came in the last week was when they announced the positions for the team this week: Emelia also was in the starting lineup roster. Her position was flanker and she was in the lineup that would start the game. Not knowing much about rugby other than how you move the ball up the field with non forward moving reverse lateral tosses I knew I was in for a lot of learning. What I did not expect is—without really understanding how it works—is how much fun I would have watching it. The girls were expecting to get completely blown out as Parkside was apparently a very good team last year, but they came home with a 10-5 loss which comparing to hockey would have been a 2-1 loss. I was delighted to see Emelia take on this brand new sport, and to see her being part of another group of athletes in a very demanding sport building a team.

I haven’t talked a lot about biking in the last few weeks as obviously we have been a little focused on Cheer and Rugby. But, here we are, one week out from my first bike race of the season and my return to the Paris To Ancaster race next weekend. Last year it was the first race/event I had ever entered, to see if that was even something I would want to do. Since, that one I did at least 4 other bike race or events in the season and maintained my yearly attempt at the full run on the G2G Rail Trail as well as joining the G2G Cycling Club. And this year I have added joining the London Cycling Club and weekly group rides where and when In can, to my dance card. Suffice it to say I really enjoy biking races/events. This year I am hopeful that I can add some new and different ones to my repertoire!

Next Sunday is the Paris To Ancaster race. I have entered in the same distance as I did last year (Brève, 45km) and am really hoping for a result better than last year. It’s not that I wasn’t happy with how I did last year, it’s just that each year and race I want to show improvement. Last year I was riding on my Vanterra Pilot (steel bike) and this year will be the first run at it with my GT Grade—a full-on carbon frame gravel bike built for these types of events. Plus, my training and prep this season has been so much better. So, I am really curious to see if I can better my results from last year and feel more ready for the challenging parts of the course (the mud chute, and final climb). But, the best part about this race is what I have come to really love about biking in general, is being with the community. In the last year especially, there are so many friends I made through all the events and club rides I have done, that I am really looking forward to hanging out and riding bikes with them again. With P2A being such a prestigious and well-known race, next weekend I will be among a lot of those friends again and that is exciting!

She said

Another crazy busy week for us and our little athlete. With Canadian Nationals out of the way the girls have started to zone in what skills they need to secure their spaces for next year. Emelia found out this week that three of her teammates are for sure leaving cheer entirely, along with the four that are aging up to Senior the team will not look the same at all next year. Emelia has been laser focused all year to doing her best this season but also what skills and knowledge she needed to ensure that she could advance to the next level in the new season. Cheer advancement is a complete mystery to be honest. Emelia has the strength and experience in stunting to take on new challenges as well as the strong tumbling skills required but that does not guarantee her anything for next season.

But I am getting a bit ahead of myself. First we had to get to today. Before this week she had a full plate, this included a full week of rugby practices to prepare for her first game. Add in work and school and Emelia was burning it at all ends. This week she found out that she was 100% on the starting line and she found out her position. Much to her happiness she is in the same role as one of her cheer besties Emma who plays at her high school. Emelia has taken on this new sport like she does every other sport, with dedication and hard work. Rugby like wresting last year was a complete departure from all the sports Emelia had done in the past. Even though she admits she has so much to learn she is certainly very early on becoming a stand out and making it as a starter in her first year. She was so nervous and excited about her first game. John was able to give me a play by play of the game and how she was doing. We are so proud of her!

The rest of the week for Emelia was shuffling between rugby practices, work, school, cheer and time with her friends. Before we knew it the week was done and the real fun began. Since Emelia joined cheer three years ago she had never had a real full experience. All that changed this year, we had real comps, real awards, real training and for the first time a real year end banquet. Emelia was so excited to finally have a full year end celebration. The girls all got new dresses and got all dolled up. The day was filled with heart felt speeches, slide shows of the teams and awards. Emelia was able to get her first milestone pin for three years with cheer. It was a great day! After the banquet was done Emelia and Ashlyn were finally able to hang out together for the afternoon into the evening.

Once Ashlyn was picked up Emelia quickly got changed and then she and her group of school besties all went off together to the glow jump at the Flying Squirrel followed by a sleepover all 8 girls. Needless to say very little sleep was had and Emelia came home with about 4 hours max sleep. So little sleep for a kid who had cheer assessments in a few hours.

Once Emelia had a bit of time to decompress we were off to the gym for their annual cheer assessments. Emelia had been working so hard the last few weeks and months to really master her level up tumbling skills. She was nervous about showing her skills to the owners today but I have to say all bias aside she nailed the tumbling assessment part. Hands down her tumbling was insanely strong, she had great control, form and height. She even pulled off a double back spring into a back tuck which is a level 4 skill! So leaving the tryouts today she felt she had done everything she could, even when things did not go well she took the coaches feedback and made the changes they suggested and went right back at it. She should be proud of how she did today no matter the result. I know what she wants and what she place she wants to stay at cheer. We wont know for a few weeks where they all place. Im sure it will feel like a lifetime for some of the children!

Next week we go into our last week of season X with the last practice on Tuesday and the year end showcase this weekend. It has been a rollercoaster year. I am hoping the girls can go out on the highest of notes and have the best time together one more time as a team!