Something to cheer about...

Trick or Treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat!

Anyone out there remember that little kid chant being circulated when it was pumpkin carving time? Halloween just passed and this past Friday my daughter's school had a Halloween parade in her gym. My daughter is in 1st grade, so she wanted to dress up as something really scary. She picked a cheerleader! I know scary huh; at least it is if you're a dad. You see my wife and I went to this Halloween parade and stood there as the entire elementary school passed us by dressed in costumes that brought out their "special" personality. We saw everything from Storm Troopers, to Minnie Mouse, to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. One kid even dressed up as a toilet. Not real sure the statement he was making there. Little does he know that one day when he grows up to be a man that will be considered a special and sacred place. At any rate, my daughter finally paraded by, and I must admit she looked adorable as a little cheerleader. So when she stopped in front of us so mom could snap the moment for all eternity I blurted out for her to give us a cheer! Immediately she held one arm straight up and cocked the other on her hip with pom-poms flowing in each hand. It was at that moment in the parade where I was actually frightened. Scared that my little girl is growing up too fast, scared that she knew how to do that, and still a little disturbed by the tidy bowl boy. I guess at the end of the day I'm thankful that she didn't want to dress up as Britney or an Achy, Breaky Heart, and that she still acknowledges my presence even when we can be seen by other little cheerleaders and mutant turtles. I know the day is probably coming when she'll be frightened by the presence of scary old dad, but for now she's still daddy's little girl and that's something worth cheering about.