Watching a Massive Tournament

Lexi’s team, Thunder, won their volleyball games at the Y today. Then, she went downtown with her friend, Heather, to watch a massive tournament. Their friend, Simone, plays on a club team that is ranked 6th in the nation. They watched her team easily pound another team. They also posed for a photo in the big red round window.

Silly Tricks

Cheerleader Tryouts

A few months ago, this girl decided she wanted to be a cheerleader in jr high. She came up with a plan and asked me to sign her up for cheer lessons. I did & she has been going on Monday evenings.

This past week, she has been going to cheer clinics at school to learn a dance, cheer and chant. It all came down today. Girls from across the district gathered at Taylor High School and did their thing. They tried out in groups of 3. Lexi was #4. The girls around her weren’t very confident and watched/copied her the whole time. She said she made a couple of minor mistakes, but the girls copied so the judges might not have known.

Her tryout was at 11 am. A few hours later, the names were posted on the school’s website. Lexi was thrilled to see her name at the TOP of the list (alphabetical by first name). She has been on cloud nine all afternoon & evening.

Tutti Fruiti Love

I noticed that Lexi took a few pictures on my phone of Tutti Fruiti. Lexi is definitely going to miss her when she goes back to her family.

Volleyball Game

The Thunder volleyball team wasn't so hot today. They actually played an awesome team. The first game our girls were just waking up or not quite in the grove. During the second game, it was pretty close, but we didn't win. We killed them in the third game, but by then it was just a practice game. Lexi really stood out for her setting skills. Everyone noticed how well she was doing returning the ball.

Teaching Neighbors

Cheerleading try-out are approaching. Sofia, our neighbor, is planning to try out too. She came over to work on her jumps with Lexi. Of course, her sister, Isa, came with her. They were out on the trampoline for a while. 

Cheer Class

I captured a few moments of Lexi at cheer class today. Her friend, Serenity (in the black), happened to be there today too.

First Volleyball Game for Thunder

The Thunder had their first volleyball game and they completely stomped the competition. Our serves were strong and they weren't very good at returning the ball. It was a great start to the season with Coach Matthew.

First Volleyball Game

Lexi's team, Thunder, had their first volleyball game of the season today. The smashed the other team for both games and then did a third game as practice. Lexi has several friends from church on the team as well as the coach (he was also Jordan's assistant Basketball coach). I think this is going to be a great season.

Blood Work

We have had a bit of an ordeal with Lexi's bloodwork this year. I took her in for a well-visit at the end of February. It had been a few years since she had been, so they caught her up on her shots - just 2 from last year. Her pediatrician wanted her to get bloodwork too. I took Lexi to a clinic and had it done. A few days later, the doctor called and was VERY concerned about Lexi's low platelet count. It was 46,000. The normal count is 150,000 and 20,000 is a trip straight to the emergency room to be checked into the hospital. The doctor asked about unexplained bruising and nose bleeds, which Lexi has been having. She had us come back in the next day and told me that Lexi should not participate in combat sports (which she doesn't). 

The pediatrician did another check up and asked how long the bruising has been going on, which I was pretty sure about a month to 6 weeks. That was right after Lexi had the stomach flu. That is probably the cause. Once I knew it was probably a virus, I started giving her OnGuard and Melalueca oils (they are great for viruses). I also had her drink pomegranate juice, because I saw that it helps on the internet and why not? I took her back in for blood work that week and her platelet count had jumped up to 85,000. That is still low, so she referred us to a Hematologist at Texas Children's Hospital. 

That's where we went today. Dr Tran talked to us about a lot of family background issues and general health questions. She had Lexi do more bloodwork right there. She called me later to say that it was 102,000. It has improved, but is still low. We have to do this again in a month. Lexi is cleared for sports though, which is good because she just started volleyball at the YMCA with several church friends. We also found out that she is exactly 5'3".

Picture of Lexi - she isn't ill - just avoiding photos (not a fun stage)

Lexi's Blood Pressure

Easter Baskets

It is Easter Sunday and the kids were very excited to find their baskets. They got swimsuits, clothes, candy, and snacks. Lexi also got a game - Cat Stacking. We have a visitor this weekend - Lucy.

Have you ever wondered why I have less pictures of Lexi lately? She has become the queen of avoiding pictures. She turns, holds her phone up in the way, complains a LOT, and generally ruins my pictures of her. So - there will be less for a while until she finishes this annoying stage (hopefully, soon).