I was at every practice, but I still got the element of surprise at the competition because 1) most of the time I was too busy chatting with the other parents to be paying attention to what's going on "out there", 2) practice routines and competition routines are two totally different creatures.
My daughter and I also liked that when she wanted to show me something new or something that finally hit it was possible.
I watch about half of the practice (other half chatting), because I love seeing my daughter's (and her team's) progress. It makes it all the more thrilling to see a perfect pyramid at a competition when I saw how much time and hard work it took them to get it! I wouldn't have it any other way . . .