Dallas Bound

Every year I take my dance team on a trip. We alternate between in state and out of state (district policy). Many of my director friends think I'm absolutely crazy to travel with my girls every year, but I wouldn't change a thing. We always have the best time. Not to mention it's an opportunity for them to see the world (okay...Texas and some surrounding states) at a discounted price. This year was our in state year. My fellow director, Amy decided to go along for the ride and so after much thought we decided to take our two girls. I've never taken Lyla on a bus or in a hotel, so this was going to be fun. At the last minute one of my chaperones had to cancel going so we added our cheer coach Lindsey and her 3 girls! That's right... I had 39 dancers, 7 chaperones, 3 directors and 5 girls 6 years-11 months. Yes, we are that crazy!!!!!

It was the best trip. I highly recommend traveling with 39 babysitters. The team did such a fantastic job entertaining our girls on the 5 hour bus ride. Then we stopped at Grapevine Mills Mall for lunch and shopping. There was a huge carousel in the food court, so of course our girls had to ride. After that it was shopping, shopping and more shopping! Including a new pair of Toms for mommy and Lyla's first pair. I love buying shoes that also help others in need. :) For dinner we went to Medieval Times. It was a late night, but I think the girls still had fun. Lyla liked seeing the horses. She figured out that there were windows to the horse's stalls on the way to the bathroom, so we went 3 times.




Saturday was competition day! It was long day and the girls did have a few meltdowns, but all it all they did great. And my team won! First place for all of the team and officer routines = GRAND CHAMPIONS!!! After months of hard work, they were so excited to have a successful contest season. A noisy dinner at Joe's Crab Shack was a great reward!

Sunday we spent the day at Six Flags Over Texas. I was so worried all weekend that it was going to get rained out. The forecast showed rain through most of the morning and afternoon. We decided to sleep in and not leave the hotel until 11:00AM. About an hour into our day at the park the sun broke through and it turned into a gorgeous day!!! Our girls had such a great time riding all the little kid rides. We ended the day with a dance party and then headed back to the hotel to get cleaned up for dinner at Rain Forest Cafe! Volcanoes all around for the grand champs!!!







Monday was shopping day 2. We headed to the Galleria for a few hours before the long trip home. by then our little girls had about had it!! There were more meltdowns, and lots of yawns, but all in all, they did great. Nothing like some ice cream to perk them back up. Several of my "big girls" purchased prom dresses so I think it was a success for all.

After a long nap on the bus the girls were back to playing. Lyla was so sad when the trip ended and she had to say goodbye to her friends, big and small. I think she'll enjoy dance team trips for years to come!