"Let's Go Patriots!"

Payton and her team have been cheering on the football players for the South Orange Patriots-Mighty Mite (7-8 year old) division for months now, and it was finally their turn to shine.  This last weekend was the Mid-Florida Cheer Competition in Lakeland, Florida, and out of 43 teams participating, Payton's team won first place in their division and are now headed to the National Competition in December.  The girls worked really hard the last few weeks at practices, perfecting their 2 1/2 minute routine, and all the hard work paid off.  I was actually very surprised and impressed the first time I saw what the performance consisted of.  I wasn't a cheerleader and my perspective of the cheerleaders was "rah-rah-ree-kick'm in the knee" at football games, but I learned that a cheer routine includes tumbling and stunts and dance moves on top of the cheer. We're very excited for Payton to have such a fun experience.  

Very patiently waiting through all the
Mighty Mite cheer teams for Payton's turn.  

Ready to go on. 

The end of the routine.

"Yea!  Let's go Patriots!"
I've heard that hundreds of times in the past few months.  

Walking out for the winner's to be announced. 

South Orange Patriots- 1st place in the Mighty Mite division. 

"The Boys of Fall" + Payton

When I feel that chill, smell that fresh cut grass

I'm back in my helmet, cleats, and shoulder pads

Standin' in the huddle listenin' to that call

Fans goin' crazy for the boys of fall.

They didn't let just anybody in that club

Took every ounce of heart and sweat and blood

To get to wear those game day jerseys down the hall

The kings of the school, man, we're the boys of fall.

~Kenny Chesney

Damon (#22) in his first flag football game (ever), playing for the South Orange Patriots.  Mr. Smiley was smiling the whole time, even when he was blocking the opponent.

Payton cheering for the first time for the South Orange Patriots.  

Last but not least, Brennan (#20) playing in his first tackle football game (ever).  Brennan is starting as a defensive outside linebacker and is doing awesome.  He is so happy to be back in America to play "American" football.  If you have played competitive team athletics yourself, you will know how exciting it is as a former athlete-parent to watch your child starting to move up from pee-wee sports to the "real deal."  I know that a 10-year-old football league is still quite a ways from the real "real deal," but they take football in the southern states very serious!  And the coaches think that these kids are training for the NFL!

One of Brennan's best tackles!

Things that make you go "ZZZZZZZZ"

The kids and I spent this last week at Cub Scout day camp- Brennan as a Webelos and I was his den leader, and Payton and Damon got to go because I was a volunteer.  Payton was with the other girls, and Damon was in "wee care" with the kids 5 and under.  It was actually a lot of fun and it was great to be able to spend a whole week doing activities with Brennan.  I wouldn't have thought (or dared) to do it until I was called as Cubmaster, but it is something I recommend doing once if you get the chance.  I will say though that we are still recovering from 5 long, hot days. Adrian said he hadn't seen me that tired since after I had Damon almost 5 years ago.

So the camp included a ton of fun and educational activities.  The theme this year was "Scouting Salutes Our Hero's" and we had visits from the coast guard, swat team, sheriffs dept., fire dept., train safety, etc.  Every day we had archery, BB guns, nerf guns, and slingshots, and also played ultimate frisbee, human battleship, volleyball, human foosball, and made and shot off bottle rockets.  We played water dodgeball and had relays, performed a play and a skit, worked with tools to build wooden airplanes and a catapult, earned badges in physical fitness, forestry, and science, and earned belt loops in 8 additional areas.  Phew!!!!!

Brennan and his den leader aka "Mom."

Guess what!  I shot the apple straight through the center!

Damon kept busy during the flag ceremony.  

Brennan shoots off his homemade bottle rocket.