Cheerleading....Go! Fight! Win!

Today we spent the afternoon at Red River High School watching the ND Cheerleading Competition. We were extra excited about going to the event today because the Troemner girls (Grace, Emma, and Gabbi) were going with us. And we were in much need of their company, since we haven't seen them is awhile.

On our way to the event, we stopped and picked up pompoms for all the girls (whats a cheerleading competition without pompoms for the kiddos?). We arrived in just enough time to squeeze into the last open front row spots (this allowed floor room for the girls to get up and cheer....which they did lots of ). Then out came the cheerleaders. There was 18 teams total!! Wow! The girls were so excited watching all of the teams come out. Isabel was quick to point out, "there's the blue team, thats dads team" (because blue is daddy's favorite color).

Watching the girls faces when the teams performed their routines was classic. Their eyes got big and jaws dropped when the cheerleaders did their flips and lifts. Grace and I couldn't help but laugh as the girls waved their pompoms and wiggled to the music. Our girls even made their own cheerleading squad. Emma was the captain as she would imitate the "real" cheerleaders and Gabbi and Isabel would copy Emma.

As we walked out of the event it was so cute listening to the girls talk about what they saw and hearing them announce that someday they would be cheerleaders too. And on our car ride home, Isabel and I spent the ride yelling, "Go! Fight! Win...lets hear it....Go! Fight! Win!

I can honestly say, I had no idea that we would have this much fun at the competition (yes, I too enjoyed myself). We can't wait for next years competition. And I think we just might have a future cheerleader on our hands.....:-) And lastly if you take one thing from this, let it be....Go! Fight! Win! Sorry...I couldn't help myself!

Isabel skates...

Today Isabel started her first day of ice skating class/lessons. We were alittle nervous going into today since Isabel has been sick with a cough. But regardless I was determined to make it to skating class. I first have to say when you walked into the Fido arena, I was alittle shocked and taken a back. The locker rooms were filled with children and parents...way more than I could even count. And these parents were in the "zone". I couldn't believe how intense these parents were. Okay maybe I should have expected this since we do live in a "hockey town", but seriously these children are 3 and 4 years old...helllooooooooo. At one point I felt like I was backstage at a pageant! Pageant moms have met their challengers..my money is on the hockey moms.

Okay now that I've been completely judgemental of these parents, lets get to Isabel. When we got on the ice Isabel was alittle surprised how slippery it was ( I don't think she remembered at all going ice skating last year). I held her hands and off we went. Isabel enjoyed gliding on the ice as I pulled her, but she had no desire to try it on her own. But then came Jarmilla (our teacher). There was no introduction, she just came up to us and said "whats her name" then she said, "let go of her and let her come to you and only hold one hand not both". She made Isabel stand on her own and then said, "come to me Isabel, come to me". Thank goodness Isabel happened to lean forward which made her glide to the teacher and then that was it. Our teacher was gone! I must admit I was alittle confused. I knew ahead of time that the class was not a group lesson but rather a one-on-one lesson, but seriously I thought we'd spend more than 2 min. with our teacher. Although I was not impressed with this type of class set-up, I decided what the heck, lets make the best of this. So I spent the rest of our 30 min class time trying to teach Isabel to skate.

Isabel was very funny during class. She would say every other minute, "I can't, its too hard". But then she'd try again. She was very scared of falling,which only happened a few times. At one point Isabel got so frustrated she moved her feet back and forth very quickly (trying to make herself fall) then fell and sat on the ice and cried. To be honest I wanted to get up and leave, but I decided one of us needed to be the adult. So I picked her up and gave her lots of words of encouragement. By the end of class Isabel was having fun, still not quite walking or gliding on the ice, but she was really digging ice skating. She enjoyed it so much that when it was time to leave the rink she started crying and begging to keep ice skating. And the crying continue all the way to the grocery store.

Looking back now I am just so impressed how much Isabel has matured. Ice skating class was completely new for her and those of you who know Isabel well, know she does not take good to new activities or change. But everyday Isabel is growing and maturing. These moments are so exciting and huge for us and Isabel. I look forward to watching Isabel turn into a little skater.

Ode to Isabel

Isabel....Isabel....Isabel. All too often I find myself talking to friends about Isabel. And in these conversations I am always so quick to discuss the challenges Jason and I are facing with Isabel. So lately I have found myself feeling very guilty. I've spent endless hours wondering why I'm not sharing more of our fun moments with Isabel and less of our not so fun moments. I think I just have a fear of becoming that mom thats always obsessing and gushing over her child (please let me know when I become that mom:) With all that said, I've decided this first blog should be an Ode to Isabel....I think its the least I can do for her.

On Oct.19th Isabel turned 3! What an exciting day for her. Everything in our lives has changed since that day! All of a sudden Isabel turned 3 and she just "got" it. Isabel has become the best listener and she can and does follow direction so well now. Isabel also has reached huge independent milestones. Isabel dresses herself "all by myself" (Isabel's words), she buckles herself in her car seat, she gives herself a bath, she goes to bed on her own, and she even has started cleaning her room without being told! Life has truly never been so easy.

In dance class you can truly see how much Isabel has matured and how she is learned to listen and follow direction. Isabel is in the preschool dance class this year (which means she is dancing all my herself...no more mom). When classes first started Isabel spent a lot of class time running to me for hugs and reassurance. Sometimes she'd just stand in class while everyone else danced, especially if it was a part of dance class that she didn't like (she hated doing stretches). But then Isabel turned 3 and our first day to dance class after her birthday was the best day ever. Isabel did every part of dance class from start to finish. She even participated with a smile on her face. I was so proud of her. And ever since that day, she has continued to be the best little dancer she can be:)

Isabel has also shown us her love for music as she can now sing songs and carry the tune to them. Isabel first started singing the Disney Princess songs this summer. By summers end Isabel was able to sing each song on her own. And I have to say there is nothing cuter than watching her hold her head up high with closed eyes as she hits the high notes and her vioce cracks. Along with learning princess songs Isabel also loves to sing nursery rhymes. Her favorite (and ours....you'll see why..) is Patty Cake. Isabel will sing patty cake in a loud voice and usually is stomping her feet and making a frown (I don't know why)while she sings it. This is Isabel's version of patty cake...."Patty cake, Patty Cake, make me mad, make-a-me-a-cake as fast as you can..." I tried to correct Isabel the first time I heard her sing it that way. But she told me, "yeah mom, thats what I said." So Jason and I decided who are we to tell her she can't sing patty cake that way. Plus its so cute and so funny. We always bust out laughing.

Isabel is the sweetest most giving little friend. Isabel has always been a pretty good sharer (just ask Jenny Hanson;-),but lately we've seen the depths of her generosity. When we are out shopping and Isabel gets something (usually from Targets $1 spot) she will immediately ask for another one for one of her friends. Or if we are going somewhere I always pack a snack for Isabel, she will immediately remind me to grab one for whoever we are going to see. And when Isabel has 2 of anything new (like princess socks) she will tell us one is for her and she is giving the other pair to one of her friends. Its gotten to a point where I need to explain to her that we don't have to share everything (mostly because we can't afford to feed and provide socks for everyone..I'm exaggerating...alitte) with our friends, some stuff is just for us.

Lastly I have to take a moment to talk about how darn cute Isabel is......(yikes, did I just turn into that crazy mom???) I feel like everyday Isabel's features are changing. Sometimes from just the right angle she looks like her daddy. But when looking at pictures of Isabel, I immediately see myself. Even though Isabel looks alot like me (according to everyone), Isabel does have distinct Aaker features (or least Jason and Grandpa Leroy features). Isabel has big beautiful eyes that slightly droop in the corners and her eyes also sink in just a bit (its more define when she's tired) just like daddy and grandpa. Those are my favorite features of Isabel (probably because its so cute to see alittle Aaker in her). Isabel also has a cutie pie smile that sometimes gets so big you can see her upper gum (thats my favorite). And Isabel has the cutest little gap between her 2 front teeth. It reminds of her sister Jocie's when Jocie was that age. Jason doesn't see the resembles, which is fine with me, because I see it so clearly.

So this is my ode to Isabel. We are truly blessed to have a healthy child like Isabel. Our lives as parents is so excited. Jason and I are growing and learning so much from Isabel and we are always looking for ways to become better parents.