Even With My Daughters' Busy Summer Schedules

We Still Found Time to Relax

This summer was jam-packed for my family and me - especially my daughters. Our third daughter is a freshman this year. We now have three of our girls in high school this season. I mentioned in a previous newsletter we had two daughters on their high school varsity dance team last year when our second daughter was a freshman, and maybe we’ll have three on the same team when our third daughter starts her freshman year of high school. After a two-week-long intensive workshop and tryout, we found out our third daughter made the varsity team with her sisters! I couldn’t be more proud of them. I can’t wait to see three of our daughters performing together during the halftime shows of their football and basketball games.

Because of my daughters’ commitment to the dance team, they had practice all summer. They were at the school rehearsing Monday through Thursday every week. I remember my girls telling me in June how it felt like they didn’t have a summer vacation because they spent almost all their time at school for practice. All of us need a break sometimes so we can decompress and relax. If not, we could become burnt out and lose motivation. I understood my daughters’ feelings and wanted to find ways to make this summer fun for them.

When we traveled to their high school dance camp and studio competitions this summer, I planned activities for us to do in our free time. Each year, the high school dance teams must attend a UDA camp and place first to participate in the national competition the following year. This camp allows them to work one-on-one with a UDA instructor, develop their leadership skills, and learn how to entertain a crowd with choreography and school spirit. The girls enjoy this experience because they get to improve their skills and spend time with one another and other teams.

But I wanted to take them on a trip where they didn’t have to work or worry about dancing. I wanted them to just enjoy the little time they had off to relax. So, I wanted to plan something special for them when they had some time off in July.

Being outdoors is one of my family’s favorite things to do. So, we went to Yosemite National Park. My wife and I visited here years ago when we were still dating, and I thought it would be great for us to return and bring our daughters. This trip was the girls’ first time at Yosemite, and they had a blast seeing the park’s beautiful scenery. During our trip, we hiked several trails where we saw countless waterfalls, mountains, and everything else Mother Nature has to offer. We had a fun time because we were together. Any time we have the chance to spend with one another, whether to our yearly summer trips to the beach or a special trip to Yosemite, it’s time well spent.

Although my girls were busy this summer, I’m happy we scheduled time together. I saw how hard they worked this summer, and they deserved a break. Even though I had to work in relaxation time during the dancing trips and practices, I’m glad I could put smiles on their faces during our short getaways. I can’t wait to see their dances this school year and take another trip with them to Florida for their UDA nationals at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney World, where they placed 9th in the nation last season. All their hard work this summer will pay off once they take the field. I will be in the stand at every game cheering them on! Happy end of summer and back-to-school season, everyone!