Figure Skating Camp at Miami University

July 16-21, 2017

We were VERY lucky to get Emily a spot in Miami University's figure skating camp this summer. By the time she got in though, the dorms were full.  So I went down with her and we stayed in the university hotel.  She is still pretty young for this kind of thing so I was kind of glad it all worked out this way. No one else from the CFSC came this year so she was by herself.

We left straight from Troy (medals in hand) and got her all registered about 2pm.  We had a chance to walk over and see the dorms and the locker rooms too so she could feel at least a little oriented to her new surroundings before starting camp.

   

 By 3:00pm she was off on the ice with her group starting her week with skating development - a session about interpreting music through skating.  It was super fun to watch.  Every day throughout camp the skaters had off-ice training classes, skating development, skating skills, some recreational and dorm time, team building activities and of course freestyle time and private coaching.

  

Emily has been up and ready to skate every morning at 6:45am and hasn't been finishing her day until 8:30 at night (although admittedly some of that evening time is dorm time fun with new friends). She has really been loving every minute and there is definitely real improvement in her skating.  Can hardly wait to bring her back again next year...and let her stay in the dorm!

   

And she's off!

2017 Troy Summer Competition

Saturday & Sunday July 15-16, 2017

This weekend marks one year of competitive figure skating for Emily.  This time last year the Troy show was her very first competition at the Basic 6 level.  This year she competed at High Beginner. Saturday afternoon she competed in Jumps and Showcase.  The first event was Jumps and she placed second.

  

The next event was Showcase - her Mr. Popper's Penguin's show.  My personal favorite because it is just so much fun!  We've been waiting for this one to take a gold and today was the day!  She won first!  I was sure another girl beat her out, but 3 of five judges had her first so she won.  She REALLY sold this program at this show.   Great birthday present!!

  

Sunday was the tougher day.  She started as the first event of the day - compulsory moves.  She skated very well, but only managed 4th place.  She was pretty down about it.

Fortunately, there wasn't much time to be too depressed because she had to skate her Freeskate (Princess Diaries) program about 90 minutes later.  She did a great job and her spins were beautiful. And this time she made it onto the podium - THIRD!  She beat out 2 of the girls who had been in compulsory earlier in the morning so that felt good, I'm sure.  She is probably the most proud of her bronze from this competition and I love that. 

Overall, it was a great weekend for the Charleston Figure Skating Club.  Go girls!!! Next stop, Skate Pittsburgh in August!

Summer with Friends

Saturday, July 8, 2017

What could taste better than summer with friends?  Ice cream cones?

Maybe a lemonade stand?

Maybe a birthday party (complete with a Minecraft cake)?

  

Not sure which of these was most fun, but according to Emily, this is the best summer ever...and we're less than halfway through!  Slow down summer!!!

Fourth of July

Sunday, July 2, 2017

Ok, so it wasn't quite the Fourth yet, but it was close.  We definitely tried to spend the day celebrating all things summer - every thing from corn on the cob to pinwheels and from bubbles to sparklers.

       

We started our evening with a big cookout and yummy desserts.  From there we let the kids run and play with bubbles, water toys, the swing set and the trampoline too.  They loved every minute.

  

  

Then it was getting on toward evening so it was time to bring out the festivities.  Our HOA banned fireworks this year so we were stuck with just little poppers and sparklers.  Luckily the kids had a blast anyway. AND...we finally convinced Emily to hold the little sparklers without a plastic dixie cup over her hand!  That in and of itself was cause for celebration!