Go Upward Go!

Well, it doesn't seem like Kalan's cheerleading season with Upward should be over already, but it is. She had her awards night Tuesday. They performed a cheer, Y-E-L-L, and they all did a great job! They had a photo slide show playing while we were sitting waiting for the program to being. There were some great shots of Kalan in action. I took my camera with me, but we were at the very back and the light was so dim you couldn't see the pictures very well. The picture to the left is from the beginning of the season, her official photo. She looks so beautiful. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the items, (uniform, pom-poms, undershirt) for the price we paid to participate. Kalan had a wonderful time and says she wants to do it again next year. At first, she acted very shy and didn't really want to go, but once she met all the girls and her coaches she opened up. At the first game, which was that Saturday in January when it was 8 degrees outside and not much warmer in the gym, she was very nervous. They had to do a cheer in the middle of the floor during half time with everyone watching them. I could tell by her body language she was not comfortable. We all encouraged her and told her she did wonderful. The next Saturday she was a completely different child. She raised her hand to lead a cheer and even looked more at ease during their half time routine. By the end of the season she was leading the cheers during the half time routine. This makes me elated! Kalan has always lacked self confidence. She always uses the words "I can't". Bless her heart, she was a very clumsy child, 4 broken bones by the age of 4; she is seriously double jointed in her elbows. Her T looked like a sick M. So, I might be partly to blame because I shielded her from doing things that might hurt her. She did shine doing this. I am very proud of her! I do have a video of their little dance they did during half time, I just don't have it with me now. I will post it separately.