Finally putting together our Cheer routine! Hard work but so much fun!
He said
Well, of course after last week’s glorious time at the trailer, this week was back to the regular grind. Monday was still one more day off for me that meant I could get cleared up around the house all the stuff that needed to be done after a week away, as well as get in a longer, Reggie Ramble post bike ride out to Byron & back on the bike. It was a wonderful 31km ride where I got to really push myself in much more familiar riding confines that I am used to. And contrary to the speeds I delivered in the uphill challenge of Reggie, I was able to get back into my speed wheelhouse hitting a max speed of 56.8 km/h and and an average speed of 25.6 km/h. But, a Monday off also meant I was able to make it out to see Emelia’s softball game too! So, it was the perfect way to come out of vacation, being eased back into the daily grind with a lot of things I love!
The focus this week for me turned to bike (I know, I know, surprise, surprise) and getting ready for the MS Bike Ride this upcoming weekend. Bright and early Saturday morning we’ll be striking out with with Team Cowbell for the MS Ride from Grand Bend and riding the 80+ km course to London. And, then on Sunday morning we will be doing the same ride from London back to Grand Bend over a shorter 70 km course. Last year this ride was cut in half/canceled because of a very daunting weather forecast so the Sunday ride didn’t happen. I am really excited that the prospect looking good this year that we’ll finally be able to get the full (post COVID) MS Bike Ride experience and be able to get in both days of the ride. Plus in addition to that, this year I wll be riding with Justin & Steph who did it last year (and corralled me in) and there friends Holly & Ted to boot!
The rest of the week for me was of course focused on getting ready for this ride this weekend and thanking the donors for donating funds toward my campaign this year. I am way ahead of where I was last year for fundraising which has totally blown me away at the support I have received and inspires me to try and even push for more. But, the reality is I have reached the main goal I set for myself much sooner than I expected so of course I want to see how much further I can go. I have actually gotten into the realm of fundraising where I might get the jersey based on the amount of funds I have raised which is super cool so that has been the real push as of late. But, in the end I am just excited to push myself to ride 2 significant distances on the bike next weekend to raise funds for a charity that hits close for people we know!
Aside from that, which doesn’t maybe sound like a lot (or maybe it does) that was the week that was. Emelia worked a lot. I worked a lot. Danielle worked a lot. In the moments in between, we familied a lot. We all did a lot of stuff that we loved this week as well. This week is a prefect example of how and what we love to do and how we manage (as best we can) to fit it all in. Which is just what we did!
She said
For this week it was more about getting things back to regular routine. On Monday Emelia was back in the grid of Cheer and Softball as well as work. Monday night she was at her softball game, her bestie Anna came out with us to cheer her on. Anna and Grace were the reason the Emelia go into softball so it fun to have Anna with us to see how far she has come. The game was super close but sadly they lost by a single run. This season Emelia is with a lot of older kids that have played together for years. They have been so incredibly supportive and just cheer everyone one on no matter their skill level! Such an incredible group of girls!
Now on to cheer. With choreography camp last weekend the routine and music is finalized. this week they moved quickly to practice mode to start learning all the new stunts, tumbling lines, and dance. The girls are finally able to start working hard on mastering all the new skills. From what Emelia has told me and what I have seen this is an insanely elaborate and high skill routine. If the girls can pull it off man it is going to be amazing and they will kill it at competition. On Tuesday I was able watch the second half of practice and damn these girls work hard!
I was chatting with some of the other moms, one of the moms had her daughter as a flyer on the same level team last season and she has commented already how much stronger and harder this group works. Again like softball Emelia is fortunate to be with some amazing athletes who just cheer each other on, they build each other up, they all train so hard and the love is real. Honestly now going into our 4th season this is truly the happiest Emelia has been at cheer, she comes out every practice talking about how hard her team works. She has a strong stunt group and they have gelled as unit so fast. After a season of stress and disappointment last season it is amazing for us as parents to see our daughter truly happy!
For the rest of the week it was mostly about getting Emelia back and forth to work and she even squeezed in a quick visit with her friend’s cottage before the cottage before it passes to the new owners in August. All in all it was a great but busy week. Tomorrow we are back to the grind, Emelia and the twins start driver’s ed. Yes driver’s ed!!! How is that possible???