Ex Ex Pat Scheiners

 We attended the Saint X Cheer banquet last night, which marks the official end of the Saint X 2023-24 cheer season.  It was a wild ride, and I learned some of the ins and outs of the cheer world.  I am sure there are still many unknowns, but I have a greater appreciation for the sport of cheer now.  Coach Heidi made an interesting statement last night that cheerleaders are somewhat individual in mastering and achieving their own skills, but they also fill a space that is empty when they are not present.  In some cases, it is not as noticeable; however if one member of a stunt group is absent, then the entire stunt group is at a disadvantage.  There are not really subs for positions in cheer as there are in most other team sports. I was impressed that Heidi had something positive to say about each of the over 30 athletes that made up the team this year.  I also did not know that Saint X cheer had not attended nationals in over 25 years. SO many props t...

 As Ali gets closer to the end of this gymnastics season, she is starting to realize how big of an impact gymnastics has had in her life.  She is sad to say good-bye to gymnastics, which is completely understandable.  Being at the gym 3-4 days per week has been her life for the last 6 years.  And she has made some of her closest friends through gymnastics.  She had the best meet she has had in a long time yesterday; if bars was not so hard for her and she had the desire to get the skills she needs on bars, I have no doubt she would be staying with gymnastics for at least one more season.  I one thousand percent comprehend the defeat she would feel to repeat Level 6 for the third year in a row.  BUT I also know that if she put her mind to achieving her handstand and Giant on bars, she could do it.  She just doesn't want it enough. And Drew's soccer team had his their first friendly on Saturday as Mockingbird.  They won 2-1, after scoring 2 goa...