I had a great time with my team, we were so proud we went further than we ever expected in the finals.

He said

This weekend was a big one for Emelia in her year-end softball tournament. It’s been a bit of a topsy-turvy season for Emelia. Initially we thought she wasn’t going to play but then after the urging a couple of her friends and teammates she got convinced to play another season. Shortly after all that, we found out Emelia was not on one, but two Cheer teams this season with two practice nights a week through the summer. Shortly after that we found out Emelia wanted to do a summer credit for high school in a Co-op program for the month if July that would tie her up for near forty hours a week. And then there was also her part time job at Silver City. And then after all that, there was also her social life with her friends. At the end of it all of it, with all of Emelia’s commitments, she was lucky if she made half of the practices and games on her softball season.

But, the one thing we did know is that she was hell bent on being there for the team and the final playoff tournament of the season. In her first year they were out in two games. Last year they made it three games in before bowing out. So, there was low expectations but she has had so much fun with her teammates on these year-ending tourneys. So she was sure to book the weekend off work and thankfully I had an early shift Friday night and was off Saturday so I could for sure see their first game Friday, their next game on Saturday morning and then we would take it from there. We were happy to see that as long as her hyper-busy schedule would permit, she was super dedicated to her team and gave it her all—often after fifty hours of other obligations in the week!

Friday night’s game started well, but it came down to one inning where the pitching went south after a couple of unfortunate errors and the game got too far away from them to make it back. So it all came down to the first game Saturday at noon. They lose that game they were out. There were low expectations going in given our last, and first couple of, seasons. But the team this year had done much better during the season than they had the last two. The game went back and forth, but the girls really rallied and got a well-deserved win! And then the next game at 2:45pm had very much the same storyline, where the girls had a great inning that got them another win. And before we knew it, the girls were into a third game and spending the entire day at the diamond.

In that third game of the day, they met up the team that they had lost the close one to the night before. The girls started nervous and got a bit behind early and with that were chasing the come from behind for the rest of the game. They had had a great shutdown three up, three down inning, a great comeback rally inning, and were battling hard to whole way. But, in the end the girls fell two runs short and lost a tough one after a long, tiring day of softball. But, they ended up fourth overall in a nine team division and were the best place of three North London teams. And they went the farthest they ever had in the playoffs! We’re so proud of the girls and had a blast cheering them on this season!

She said

This week was another busy one, for me it was mainly insanely busy at work but our nights were busy as well. Emelia had her Cheer shutdown week and with co-op being done and Emelia finally healthy she made up for lost time and was out with friends every night. Emelia has an incredible friend group, it has changed and evolved but she has some of the most supportive girls in her circle. Emelia was at a few parties this week. She managed to hang out with various group of friends and we could not be happier for her. The biggest party of the week was on Wednesday night, the girls had been waiting all week for this one and they had a blast. Emelia along with Bri, Belle, Ashley and Liv was off for the night for a party mid week. By all accounts the girls had the best time and Emelia came home the next day after sleeping at Bri’s smiling from ear to ear.

With the week full of social activities for Emelia we were making our promise to ensure she had the August to remember. By the end of the week and a full social calendar Emelia had to shift gears and head to the diamond. Emelia sadly has missed so much of the softball season. Not only the factors that John mentioned above but add in two back to back viruses just slammed Emelia’s attendance for games. She was determined to ensure she was at this final tournament, she was able to get the entire weekend off thankfully.

Friday night we made our way out to Dorchester for game #1. The girls had a heartbreaking loss, it was a really close game that all came down to one inning but otherwise they were really the better team. The rallied but came just short of the win. Saturday they came back to the diamond determined to come back strong. The first game the girls dominated the game and won by a large margin, this built confidence to go into the next game. The second game was the same, the girls had a strong game, they played as a strong team and had another dominating win. Much to their shock they were going to make it to the last game of the night. The worst they could finish was 4th. They were meeting again with the same team from game one. Again another very tight game, in the end they were just short of the win loosing 2 runs back.

The end result the girls were beyond proud of, they played amazing as a team, they bonded throughout the season and Emelia had a blast. So much that she said she wants to go back again next season. With Emelia going now into her last season of cheer and no summer school next summer she knows she can make all the games and practices. And she cannot wait to get back to it.

Today we were shifting gears to the next event for Emelia. Today I was helping Emelia pack and prep for the epic summer vacation she has been waiting for all summer. She and her best friends are off to a cottage in Grand Bend for the week. The girls are over the moon excited. They have been chatting all day and making lists of all they need for the week. They are so excited and happy and we cannot wait to hear all the stories they come home with. Have the best time girls!