What Every Cheerleader Needs in Her Competition Backpack

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Do you know what time of year it is? That's right, it's cheerleading competition season. We're in the thick of it now. We're only in our second season as a member of the Competition Cheer World, but we quickly learned what every cheerleader needs in her backpack on competition day. Leave home without one of these essentials and you'll be asking every girl on the team if they have an extra you can borrow.

• Cheer Uniform -- I mean, DUH! But, you'd be surprised, it happens. A cheerleader, last season, left her uniform in Jacksonville...we were in Orlando for competition. 

• Cheer Bow -- bonus points if you have a hard-shell bow holder to put it in, so it doesn't get crushed. 

• No-Show Socks

• Cheer Shoes -- our gym wears Nfinity Titans. I wasn't a fan of the high tops, at first. Now, I love them. 

• Wraps -- Bum knee? Need to wrap your wrist or ankle? Be sure you don't forget these things. 

• Deodorant -- I shouldn't have to explain this one. Don't be the stinky girl. :) 

• Perfume or Body Spray -- see above, but remember, less is more. :)

• Hairspray -- we love Freeze It. Click HERE to see which one it is.

• Teasing Brush/Comb -- I didn't quite understand the importance of this in our first year. Boy, does it make getting BIG HAIR easier! For less than five bucks, it's worth the tiny investment. 

• Hair Pop -- What's a Hair Pop? You know, a hair elastic. The thing you put in your hair, before you put your bow in. #themoreyouknow

• Bobby Pins -- small ones for fly-aways, big ones to secure your bow. 

• Cheer Make-Up -- We have basic make-up in our cheer make-up pouch. Powder, eyeshadow palette, liquid eye liner, mascara, and lipstick. Bright RED lipstick. If you're reading this as a new cheer mom, consider this your virtual hug. Tell yourself that stage make-up must be bright and dark and thick and way-more-than-any-8-year-old-should-ever-wear, because it's only for her performance. 

• Make-Up Wipes -- for make-up mistakes. They happen to the best of us. 

• Baby Wipes -- for when you need to wash your hands, but can't get to a bathroom.

• Feminine Hygiene Products -- You never know when your monthly cycle will come. Or, when a teammate will need one. It's safe to have a small stash in your backpack.

• Cell Phone -- Would you really leave home without it?

• Cell Phone Charger and/or Portable Charger -- You know, even if you leave home with 100% charge, you'll be at 9% by the time your daughter hits the mat. Click HERE for the one I personally have in my bag, at all times.

• Ear Buds or Headphones -- You'll maybe want to listen to music in-between sessions and routines. If your gym is like our gym, a tight-knit group, who cheer on ALL teams, ALL day, you'll be at the venue ALL day. #OneGym

• extra money for drinks and snacks (or event t-shirt) at the venue -- By "extra money," I mean, $5,000 for incidentals. LOL A fountain drink will be $9. A hotdog, that you wouldn't normally eat anyway, is sure to cost $12. And the Gatorade, that your cheerleader needs for rehydration, is certain to cost $6.50. Bring extra money!

• candy, snacks, bottle of water or sports drink -- This is a YMMV (your mileage may vary) situation. Most venues check your bag at the door. But, if yours lets you through with snacks, BRAVO! See above for why this is so exciting. 

• Light Jacket -- for when it is cold before/after comp, and/or to wear over your uniform, to put make-up on.

What did I forget? What would YOU put in your cheer backpack, that I don't have listed? I'd love to hear your tips and tricks for competition day, too! Leave a comment telling me these things. 

How To Get a Fish Hook Out of Your Knee [A Mom's Tale]

Warning: GRAPHIC photos to follow.  I mean, they aren't that bad, but...you've been warned.

For the last few weeks, my boys have taken a liking to going out to their Poppy's house and running to the backyard to fish. He has a man-made pond back there with a bunch of bream [or brim] and a few small mouth bass. 

A few days ago, we made our way over to Poppy's. The boys jumped out of the truck, grabbed their rods and reels, and went to fishing as soon as we pulled into the driveway. I was in the house when Jonah came inside holding his fishing pole in one hand and holding his shorts up with the other hand. He said, "Mom, does Poppy have any numbing medicine?" I kind of rolled my eyes, my boys ask some pretty random questions that seem pretty out of place most times. I, of course, asked why. [Their reasons are sometimes just as great as their questions.] When he responded with, "I got a hook in my knee and I need to pull it out." I didn't know whether to laugh or take him seriously. And then he showed me. He did, indeed, have a fishing hook hanging from his knee. [In case you're wondering, he cast his line and it got caught in a tree. Jonah pulled and pulled until it came flying back at him and got him in the knee.]

My father-in-law gave it all he had to get it out. He tugged and pulled, twisted and pulled some more. All the while, Jonah was in obvious pain. It was time to go the emergency room. 

We got into our room pretty quickly, but then just waited. And waited. You can't go to the ER, sit for hours, and not play with some of the toys they leave within reach.

This doctor was phenomenal! He talked Jonah through each step he took to get the hook out. He cleaned it, then Jonah finally got the numbing medicine he was wanting from the beginning. After it was numb, the doc tried to just pull it out, but he couldn't. He had to use a scalpel to cut Jonah's knee open. It wasn't until he had a 1/4 inch slice in his knee that the doctor was able to pull it out. Even after all of that, though, he had to pull HARD! Once out, he sewed one little stitch in Jonah's knee, gave him a prescription for an antibiotic, and asked Jonah if he'll fish again. "yep!"

The culprit. This little bitty barbed hook is what was so incredibly lodged in Jonah's knee. 

 This doctor was great! I'll ask for him the next time we go to Wolfson's Children hospital. 

Two days later, Jonah's stitch fell out. No biggie, though, it had already begun to heal nicely. And, hey, worst case scenario, he'll have a cool scar to show to his friends.

The very next day Jonah and his brother were in the paddle boat...fishing.

How To Draw Judy Hopps From Disney's ZOOTOPIA

Ask me what my favorite movie of 2016 has been so far. Go ahead, ask me. ZOOTOPIA!! Hands down, best movie of 2016!

I took my 8 year old, Jett, with me to see a pre-screening, and it was fabulous! The trailer, honestly, didn't have me too excited for this film. But, I'm glad I went against my instincts to go see it.

Zootopia is laugh out loud hilarious. It'll teach you that no matter how small you may be, BIG things can happen when you believe in yourself. Also, when told you can't do something, try harder. Seriously, you guys, so many life lessons rolled into one film. I LOVE IT!

FUN FACT: Artists were inspired by Mufasa from Disney’s classic film “The Lion King” when creating the look of Mayor Lionheart. I thought he resembled some lion we've seen before. 

Wanna draw that go-getter little bunny who has hopped her way into everyone's heart? Grab a pencil and some paper, and watch this video. Oooohhh, she's just so cute!

If you haven't gone to see Zootopia yet, what are you waiting for?? If you have gone to see it, what did you think? Awesome, right?!?!

Like ZOOTOPIA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DisneyZootopia  

Follow ZOOTOPIA on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DisneyZootopia   

Follow Disney Animation on Instagram: https://instagram.com/disneyanimation/

Visit Disney Animation on Tumblr: http://disneyanimation.tumblr.com/

Visit the official ZOOTOPIA website here: http://movies.disney.com/zootopia

  

How to Make a Collage Wall with Your Instagram Photos

Last year I shared with you how to get your favorite Instagram photos out of digital lock-up. I told you that the black and white photos would become a collage above my fireplace. If you follow me on insta, then you've seen a peek of the collage...

This is how far it's come. I still have to add September-Decmeber to the wall, but I'm loving it so far! Best part, based on the space that I used in 2015, I will have enough room to add pictures for the next 3-4 years. Holla!!

So, how can YOU start your own collage wall with your Instagram photos?? 

• First, get your photos printed onto 4x4 photo paper at your local printer. I get mine printed at Walmart. 
• Find a place in your home that you're willing to devote to all of your favorite photos. 
• Then, grab your photos and your glue gun, and start gluing your pics to the wall. Yep, glue them!
• PRO TIP: Take this advice from a gal who has glued photos to the wall and taken them down, once or twice, because of crookedness or from them not being centered. Get a level or a ruler and use that to help put the pictures straight on the wall. 

What is your secret to getting your digital photos off of the computer and into your hands?? Tell me in the comments, or leave me a comment on Instagram.