Haircut and Color!

Paige had been asking to get highlights for a long time so we decided to let her get it done before we leave for vacation. Her friend wanted a haircut too so they went together which made the waiting for the color to set go by quickly. Paige's hair is a lot lighter than it was and I loved her hair before but it's fun to try something new and it looks great now too! 

 

Nationals Action Shots

I thought I had finished posts about Nationals but then I got the action shots from the stage! Here are some of my favorites!

 

4th of July Weekend

Paige missed a practice and a parade so July 3rd was her first official appearance as a cheerleader in our city's parade! We got to see her stop twice and cheer (chant?) and she did a great job! I can't wait to see her at football games too! On the 4th we spent some time at a soccer friend's house and then went home in time to meet some friends for fireworks. Afterwords, we got out the sparklers and a package of fireworks that all ended up being things that smoked obnoxiously when we lit them. But we caught on pretty quickly and had a good laugh about it!

Go Paige!

Pat and Owen lowered the hoop so they could dunk during their one on one game. I think Owen won!

Paige and Miley ready for fireworks

Owen and Paige snacking on some fries while we wait

Back home and playing with sparklers. It was hard to get a good shot unless they stayed still a long time

Paige with her sparklers

 

The Rest of Pigeon Forge

Paige only had duo left on her last day at the competition. They looked awesome and placed 4th overall with an Elite Top First! So sad to see this dance go, I loved seeing it and how in sync Paige and Maya are when they dance! We stuck around for one more day afterward to watch her friends compete in the Title competition and then we headed home, arriving around 2am!

Maya, Ms Amanda and Paige

Classic duo pose

After awards!

Supporting Maya who was about to perform solo or maybe she just had performed by the time we took this picture!

Paige ordered extra breakfast for lunch!

Paige supporting Maeve about to compete for Title!

 

Day 4

Paige and Maeve had an entire day off of competing so we started our day trying out a mountain coaster! I thought it was great but felt a little rushed and would have loved to coast slower to enjoy the scenery down the mountain! We spent most of the day at The Island but also visited a place called The Old Mill. It's a small area that's been somewhat preserved to demonstrate what the area used to be like. The girls picked out a bunch of taffy at the candy store and we ate at The Old Mill restaurant. They also picked out matching bracelets and necklaces!

Waiting our turn on the coaster

Waterfall at The Old Mill

Lazer Maze

Paige pretended to be terrified on this swing and I thought she was serious at first!

Gloves and glasses for the Mirror Maze

Ropes Course

Ended our night with a late dinner at Paula Deen's restaurant

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One more picture before we walked back to the hotel

Pigeon Forge Day 3

Day three was taken up entirely with dance. The theme for the day was Color Wars and Paige's group was red. Paige competed all of her group dances and we were at the convention center from about 7am to 10pm! It's always so weird watching the dances knowing it will be the last time they are performed after so much time and effort went into them all year! Paige did great and all of her dances scored Elite Top First! Bodywork, Stand By Your Side and something else placed. It was a long day but so fun!

Paige wore red for Color Wars!

Miley, Maeve and Paige ready for hip hop

Bodywork!

Haus of Holbein!

Stand By Your Side!

Paige's legs hurt before tap so I carried her for a minute

Tap and Ms Hannah

We got to watch the beautiful sunset while waiting for awards!

 

Pigeon Forge! Day One and Two!

Paige and I just got back from almost a week in Tennessee where she was competing in Nationals! We drove down with friends and then we had some time to check out the area behind our hotel called The Island. It was filled with restaurants and things to do and that's where we spent most of our free time the whole week.

The next day the girls only had one dance to perform-their solos! I was happy they were getting them done first since that's usually the most stressful time at competitions. Paige danced so beautifully that I cried and she scored Elite Top First! They finished the night off with swimming back at the hotel!

Settled in for the long drive

Ferris Wheel!

Trying a virtual reality roller coaster ride

Paige and Maeve! Paige is still dressed in her "car theme" clothes

Acting goofy

Ready for solos!

Wandering around the convention center...

With Ms Erika!

After awards!

Ready to swim!