LWCS Pep Rally 2011

One thing I love, love, LOVE is that all 3 of my boys go to the same school!  How many parents hum and ho, and whine that they have to drive their kids all over the world in the mornings, and how it takes forever to pick them all up... NOT ME!  I used to be that mom... I had Eston in Lowell, Caden in Bentonville, and Dru was in Centerton... but not any more!  Now all 3 of my boys go to the same campus, a "one stop shop" if you will...  Life Way Christian School teaches 3year old preschool all the way to 12th grade!  

Another pro about this wonderful school, other than the given:  A God centered education with awesome faculty and staff... is that I get to teach 8th -12th grade Art to the upper grades... my DREAM JOB!!  and...  I am right down the hall from all 3 of my kiddo's while I am doing that.  Daily I get to see them around the school, and in the halls, or their classrooms, or mine!  They know all my students, and I know all their classmate buddies!  I Love, love, LOVE Life Way, and so do they!

Today was not an exception.  Today the school had a school wide pep rally!  All three of my boys were there, as was I and my entire High School Art class, along with the 400+ other students.   We were able to share cheers, chants, listen to the amazing band, and laugh along side each other as the cheerleaders entertained the croud with a "spirit" dance, and friendly competition/games. 

A few weeks ago an email was sent out to the staff asking for volunteers to participate in the last pep rally of the year.  Being the "former" cheerleader, and cheer coach that I am... I responded "Sure"!  Not knowing who they would select, or what they needed done,  I thought nothing further of it, and almost forgot all about the email.  UNTIL last night.... I was sent an email that said "heads up, you might want to bring a change of clothes to school with you.... you have been selected to participate in tomorrows pep rally!"  That never sounds good, a change of clothes?!?  So being the competitive game player that I am... I wore my tennis shoes, and hair in a pony tail, and was ready for them to bring it on!... J/K, I was actually really nervous, and a bit scared of what they were going to do to me:)

Soooo, after the entire pep rally was "almost" over... they called 5 of us teachers up front and showed us some cheer jumps.   They said we would be competing to see who could do the best jump.  No pressure, hu.?  Im only 17 years rusty, and not ready to bust it in front of hundreds of students... Oh well, too late now!  So with a quick squat as an attempt at a warm up stretch me and my jeans attempted a herky jump.  I survived!  So I thought...  Moments later we are told there was a 5 way tie, and our prize was going to be brought in.  But before that they selected 5 students to present our prizes to us... The student that was selected to present my prize was none other than Caden Darby!!!

BTW... I was photographed on my landing... I jumped soooo high I almost hit the ceiling light!

I was so excited for him, while he was noticeably nervous, and excited all at once... Nonetheless, both of us thought it was cool to be with each other.  Until, that was... they brought in a plastic bag, and shower cap for me!!!  What?!!  This does not look like prep to receive a cheer jump prize??  Where is my spirit stick?!  Lets just stop there:)  Even Caden was nervous, for me, and him!  Then, through the gym doors walked the student council with 5 pink pies.... Ut, OH... not good.

it was not so bad after he "missed" the 1st attempt.  I thought I was in the clear.

Then Caden was placed in front of me... and I was placed in a chair.  Nice.  You guessed what came next!  "1...2...3... go!!!"  and there in front of the entire school Caden chucked a pie straight at my face!  BUT... although 3 feet away... he missed!!! "YES!,  I'm clear!!! he hit the plastic sack!!!"  So then I sigh in relief, and glance at the other 4 teachers to assess their pie damage,  and it was clear that I got off the easiest by far!!!  All the other pie throwers were middle school, and High school students, and showed no mercy in their face toss!  Then, out of no where... WHAM!  smack in my face was an entire pie!  I couldn't open my eyes it was matted in them, I couldn't breathe through my nose, my nostrils were packed with cream... I had to open my mouth just to breathe... Apparently while I was busy feeling cocky that I got out good... Caden was busy scraping off the floor the entire pie that dropped, and he put it back in the tin!  Then on his own declared round 2!!  To prevent a near miss again, he walked it straight up to my face and smashed it in good this time!...

like I was going to let that slide.....

Entertainment for all and the crowd goes wild!  Soooo a few yearbook and school newspaper photos later, as the 2 of us walked to the Bathrooms to clean up... I say to him "So, is there anything you would like to say to your mother???"  He simply replies:  "yeah, I know what is going on my blog for today!!" 

Having my boys in the same school, convenient.

Teaching my favorite subject at the boys school, wonderful.

Sharing a memory like this with my son in front of the entire school... priceless!