Hi Streamers!

I'm here for a bit this morning catching up on some work, but still busy as a bee.

I found out Tuesday just before leaving for cheer camp that Tay had 2 softball games back-to-back starting at 6:00. I left the gym for cheer about 5:00, ran home to freshen up, & off to the ball field - getting there just in time. They're doing really well & won both games! I think we'll have a really good team again next year too. We only lost 2 (very good ones!) to graduation, so that helps too.

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Today is the last day of our cheer camp & we've got a LOT to do in a short time. They've pretty much learned their half-time dance part of the show. Today will be going over that some, & learning the cheer immediately following the dance. The cheer has building in it, so we've got our work cut out for us. I can't have my "flyers" falling & getting hurt, so we'll focus on the ones who raise & hold them up a lot. We'll have from 2:30 until 4:00 to learn this part. At 4:00, the parents will be allowed to come in to watch each of the 3 squads perform their routines & video tape them, if they want. Prayers please!

This is "building". The one they raise up is the "flyer":


My "special" girl isn't doing much of anything except for hanging on or standing right up under a few of the other girls, disrupting us, & trying to eat her water bottle lid! **double sigh** Her mother did show up for Tuesday & she was shocked at what the other's have already learned in 2 1/2 hours. Her daughter was...doing what she does...& her mother started yelling at her. Then some tears fell. Poor girl. I'm prepared to pull her, if needed, but her mother promises she'll have it by the first game (mid-August). I just don't know.... Her mother has to learn it all too so she can help her. She is required to be at every practice, game, etc to tend with her daughter. Oh, she has Williams Syndrome. It's similar to Downs, I hear.

I've got my line-up fixed so that I can pull her out, if needed, & only have to move 2 girls over a bit. She might be holding a sign (which she'll probably tear up & eat!), but at least she'd be participating as best as she's able. I'm definitely going to have to do this while they build so she won't knock or pull someone down.

Her mother was told before try-outs that this is hard work, takes coordination, & is not one-on-one teaching. By the time they get to B team, they're supposed to already know the basics & what they're doing. She knows nothing. I feel so bad as she's a sweet girl, but I'm not equipped to deal with such. One of my mother's works at the local Cerebral Palsy center & will help me with her too. She's used to this & knows how to handle them.

I'll start having practice twice a week starting next week every Monday & Thursday evening. That'll help them to get better each week, & not forget any of what they're learning.

Anyhoo, I'll try to catch up on everyone's blogs starting next week. I miss being here with you all.

**group hug**