So Proud of Our Little Gymnast

I am soooo proud of Emmy. She participated in her first gymnastics meet on Sunday! It was the first recreational meet her gym has hosted and we had no idea what to expect. It was much more formal than we had thought with everyone competing in each event and being scored. It was great experience for her to learn what a real competition is like. Emmy can be very shy and hates being the center of attention so for her to get up on a 3 foot/4 inch wide beam in front of that many other gymnastics and parents was a big deal! I was so proud of her!! The biggest curve ball was that she was told she could do her own routines. Oops, we didn't practice one. So she made it up as she went. She was also one of the first to go so wasn't able to watch others first. She told me afterward that she only did the moves she knew she could do without falling and without help from a spot. I respect her thoughtful approach and was so impressed she could even think it through after being up all night at a sleepover!

We had to be there at 8:30a and the meet went until 12:30p. Wow, it was long. Ryan had to kick it the whole time with minimal complaining (until the end when Josh also started complaining) and Owen slept most of the time. They were so good! Trying to teach them young that we support each other in whatever it is we are doing :) Needless to say we were all exhausted afterward, especially Emmy.

She just loves gymnastics. I can see how strong she is getting and recently she's been extra motivated to learn new things and move up levels. It is so amazing to see her commitment, ambition and love for something. She goes two times a week for 1 1/2 hours each time. They practice everything but also do a ton of conditioning I get tired just watching her! Her coach recently recognized her in front of her whole class for her hard work and commitment. I've seen how its given her confidence over the years and I just love watching her. She is just the best and continues to amaze me.

Videos! 

Practice and warm up

She's been working on her back handspring. I showed her these videos and her immediate response was "Now I know what I am doing wrong"

Warm up at the meet. 

Vault

Bars

Floor

WOW do we look tired!!!

 

Emmy and Lia have known each other since they were two and have taken gymnastics together pretty much since they both started. I love that we've kept in touch with them and they continue to love gymnastics together. 

My little star, I love her so much.

I haven't seen her crash like this for years!