2013 Family Goal: Attend one UVA sporting event each month and support as many teams as possible.
Yesterday was our first outing to cheer on the Wahoos (as they're known even though their mascot is a Cavalier) at their swim meet against UNC. UVA's kids' club was serving pizza and drinks, and face painting was a fun bonus for A. But the athletes themselves were the stars, of course.
We watched 2012 gold medalist Lauren Perdue dominate in the 200 free. She's the one below leading the team cheer with her hoodie on and her hand in the air. They were really loud--I forgot how loud a team of women can be. Isn't that funny?
We stayed for nearly two hours until the kids had their fill of cheers, chlorine, and indoor pool warmth.
Starting at the age of twelve or so, athletics began to play a really important role in my identity, and I confess I'm exercising restraint at pushing my kids into those interests right now. Still, I want my own daughter to start to see herself as an athlete now. At the end I decided to do a little review with A.
Me: "So, A, what was your favorite part?"
A: "The pom poms. I want to be a cheerleader!"
Me, in my mind: "Cheerleader?!?"
Me, aloud: "But would you rather be a diver or a swimmer better? Would you rather swim on a relay team or by yourself? Do you want to swim a long way or short sprints?"
We have seven years for her to figure that out, right?
5 comments:
The pom-poms were always my favorite part about cheering on BYU teams when I was young too. I'm sure she'll have a love of competitive and individual sports when she's older, if you are into it. You're a great example to her!
So funny, your daughter. I don't think you ever listed "cheerleader" on your "wanna be" list. You led cheers, just not as a cheerleader.
Hahaha! A cheerleader?!? Serious laughs over here. Please oh please let her be a cheerleader:) Love that you turned your questions around. Swim or dive? Long distance or sprint. So clever of you.
I'm loving all the rainbow colors she's got going on. And of course her statement necklace is my favorite part.
Great idea! So fun!
I cringed every time C mentioned wanting to be a cheerleader. Now that she is bigger and I actually got to coach her in one of her athletic endeavors, I think she has definitely decided playing the sport is just as much or more fun than cheering on the sideline!
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