Hey Cal, this one's for you...
On Friday night we went to the high school to watch Callie and her dance team from the middle school perform at half time. It's the same high school Parker graduated from, and the twins are very familiar and comfortable there. I've spent many hours on the wooden bleachers in the gym watching everything from basketball & wrestling to school assemblies.
This is Callie's second year on the middle school dance team. She was elected captain as a 7th grader, something that never happens, but we're used to that kind of stuff happening with Callie. Being captain also means you are in the front row, and you'd better know what you're doing and sell it to the crowd. Of course, Callie did not disappoint - she was spot on and nailed the dance.
This is so amazing to me, because Callie was an ultra shy child. She would hide behind me, and was always willing to let Carter take the lead. She would sit back and watch, study, then act. In a lot of ways she is still like that, except with people she knows and trusts. But there was a turning point for Cal when she was 5. We were at one of Parker's football games and Callie was dressed in her "cheerleader" uniform. The high school girls adored her, and got her to come down on the field with them as their mascot. Callie discovered she loved the crowd, loved to cheer, and from then on she was okay in the spotlight. The next year she was a full-fledged member of the high school team, matching uniform and all.
Callie is not a prissy girl. She would probably describe herself as "sporty", and I would agree. She is tenacious, competitive, and can do a better toe-touch than most high schoolers. She is smart, driven, and goal oriented. She is already planning for high school, college and beyond. Her friends come to her for advice and teammates look to her for leadership. Oh yeah, and she gets straight A's, even in advanced math.
In 3 weeks, Callie and her twin brother turn 13. We still have to navigate those rough teenage waters, but I'm pretty sure that they will both be alright. Callie knows we love her and will support her dreams and ambitions any way we can. And we will always be on the bleachers to cheer her on.
On Friday night we went to the high school to watch Callie and her dance team from the middle school perform at half time. It's the same high school Parker graduated from, and the twins are very familiar and comfortable there. I've spent many hours on the wooden bleachers in the gym watching everything from basketball & wrestling to school assemblies.
This is Callie's second year on the middle school dance team. She was elected captain as a 7th grader, something that never happens, but we're used to that kind of stuff happening with Callie. Being captain also means you are in the front row, and you'd better know what you're doing and sell it to the crowd. Of course, Callie did not disappoint - she was spot on and nailed the dance.
This is so amazing to me, because Callie was an ultra shy child. She would hide behind me, and was always willing to let Carter take the lead. She would sit back and watch, study, then act. In a lot of ways she is still like that, except with people she knows and trusts. But there was a turning point for Cal when she was 5. We were at one of Parker's football games and Callie was dressed in her "cheerleader" uniform. The high school girls adored her, and got her to come down on the field with them as their mascot. Callie discovered she loved the crowd, loved to cheer, and from then on she was okay in the spotlight. The next year she was a full-fledged member of the high school team, matching uniform and all.
Callie is not a prissy girl. She would probably describe herself as "sporty", and I would agree. She is tenacious, competitive, and can do a better toe-touch than most high schoolers. She is smart, driven, and goal oriented. She is already planning for high school, college and beyond. Her friends come to her for advice and teammates look to her for leadership. Oh yeah, and she gets straight A's, even in advanced math.
In 3 weeks, Callie and her twin brother turn 13. We still have to navigate those rough teenage waters, but I'm pretty sure that they will both be alright. Callie knows we love her and will support her dreams and ambitions any way we can. And we will always be on the bleachers to cheer her on.
