Teacher/Coaches make ALL the difference

Somehow those two titles for today (April Fools day and Palm Sunday) do not make much sense. April fool's normally means nothing to me especially since it is the first name written on my birth certificate. Yep, Elizabeth is my chosen name (given as it is my middle name) but April is what the initial A is all about. I hated it for unknown reasons at this point. Though I recall a specific moment when my 1st grade teacher refused to call me Elizabeth. She informed me that unless I went to a judge and changed my name she would not call me anything but April. It could then be said that such a statement to this strong willed child was like I double dog dare you to make it happen another way. So, here I am with a social security card and driver's license that says A. Elizabeth. EVERYTHING I own has that name on it too. Take that Ms. First grade teacher!

Now moving on I am grateful my oldest daughter had a better experience with her first cheerleading coach. Take in to account that I started her in ballet class at 3. She was voted most improved dancer at age 5 in her entire studio and soared up levels at her next studio. Temporarily she was a bit stunted at a recreational dance place where they fed her spirit with Christian music, prayer at the end of class, ease on my pocket book and enjoyed the fun of dance but didn't push her like she was ready to be pushed. God had it all under control because Miss Annie approached us about cheer and we jumped ship. This was the BEST decision ever! Don't get me wrong she learned from the other place but dance/cheer is her God given talent. Finding the path my children are designed for is a constant tearful joy!
Today marked competition number 5 out of 6. This year my daughter has mastered her back hand spring, is working on her aerial (no handed cart wheel) and back tuck. She has gotten so strong and found the path that she will most likely take until she heads into her own career. After overhearing another person's conversation when leaving the comp she turned to me and spoke, "I plan on never stopping competing cheer until the day I die." Yep, full ride college bound is my prayers for her now. Hopefully close enough I can attend :)
This comp started with the hope of first place. You see we had already beat every one of these teams prior to today. With a record of 1st place,3rd place, then notably 3rd place out of 14 shocking the experienced circle with our success on a 9 person squad, 2nd out of 8 squads, and lastly today 1st out of 10 netting a national champion title. But the bigger deal is that it started out as a 2nd place win. Disappointed a bit we all celebrated nevertheless. Well, our dear coach picked up the score sheets and was outraged when they took off a 2pt deduction for an action that we have done since day 1. After demanding they show her the rule and several hours going by we were awarded the deserved points and First place champions BABY! I am so thrilled that we have a coach who stands up for our girls, but motivates them through positive discipline instilling the most important parts of being a cheerleader. A coach like a teacher influences kids lives and what a blessing to have an amazing one!

#1 he wants to obtain his black belt and can tell you the exact number of testings between now and then. He even went on to dream of going on to having a business of his own where he teaches Tae Kwon Do. Ya know I have no idea what he will end up doing but I do believe a black belt is for sure in his future. I love that kid! I love that he suddenly courtesy of the Cardinals winning the World Series in interested in baseball. I love that whatever he finds intriguing he immerses himself in completely. IE here are the books he is reading courtesy of the school library. His wealth of knowledge now spans; Star Wars, Baby Blues comics, Titanic, Tornado's, Tae Kwon Do and baseball. Stay tuned for what comes next!

Being silly at family egg hunt today too.

#3 well he absolutely chatters up a storm regarding Transformers, building, driving, and oh so much more. I love his dramatic rolls at wiffle ball with the family. I love his kindness and chivalry with his sisters and me too. He melts my heart! #4 is definitely the Queen of all things in this house. For her I will devote an entire other post in the very near and dear future. After all there is 13 days till the big 4.