1st Coast Twirling Competition

This weekend A competed in her second twirling competition.  We traveled to Jacksonville Friday afternoon and spent the night since we had to report to the competition venue by 8:15 AM.  My mom and dad accompanied us with hubby staying behind due to work.  The boys stayed home as well though they will be attending the state competition in May.  A loves staying in hotels and she was very excited to get to do so with her team.  Everyone went out to dinner together Friday evening, then the girls got in some practice and hung out in the pool.  If A could have had her way, we would have had the entire team for a big sleepover in our room! Staying with the baton team really wasn't much different than staying with TP.  Kids having a good time together, sometimes being a little too loud, and building team memories.  Instead of wiffle ball being played behind the hotel there was twirling practice.

Early yesterday morning, we got up, enjoyed the breakfast provided by the hotel, and got A ready.  For those  wondering if baton competition is anything like a Toddlers and Tiaras beauty pageant, let me assure you, it isn't.  (Aunt K this is for you!) I'm not into baby beauty pageants, no offense to anyone who is, and would never have A participate in anything I felt was not in her best interest.  Baton competition consists of group numbers, solos, marching, and modeling.  The modeling is very low key and entirely optional.  The girls do wear makeup, but I have yet to see anything  over the top or not age appropriate.  A's makeup consists of a little neutral eye shadow, mascara, and neutral lipstick.  She loves getting to dress up in her various costumes and outfits.

For this competition, A was in two group numbers.  She was in a group pom pom routine with several other girls, all of various ages.  They took first place for their routine, as they did at the last competition.  She was also in a twirl routine trio with her friends H and E.  They began working on Boot Scootin Baby about 6 weeks ago and this was their first time performing it.  They also took first place.  Several of the other group routines our team performed also took first place.

A was entered into three title events for this competition.  Strut Queen, for which she modeled a baseball dress costume, and performed both basic and military marching  She took second place for that.  For Queen she modeled an aqua and white tea length gown, and won first place.  For Diva she modeled a  sportswear outfit and also took first place.  In each of these categories she was competing against one other contestant.  She got a crown and sash for Queen and Diva and spent the remainder of the afternoon wearing two crowns on her head.

In May, the state twirling competition is coming up.  In fact, I need to sit down this week and figure out A's entries and get the form turned in.  I imagine she'll enter pretty much the same things she did this time.  She loves baton.  Her coaches, S and her daughter J, are wonderful.  So are the other girls on the team  They range in age from 6 on up to 17.  The older girls are terrific with the younger girls and there's a real sense of team camaraderie.  A can't wait til the next competition when her daddy and brothers will come to see her twirl.  I've included some photos from yesterday below.

Her costume for Boot Scootin Baby

                                 She loves this dress and thinks it would be perfect for a prom.

                                                   She's got the sassy modeling pose down.

                                           My little twirler after receiving her Queen and Diva awards.