The progression of art in a gymnast's world.....

To cap off a season full of hardwork by all the gymnasts, a few mothers pulled together a painting party.  Something to give the girls a break from their strenuous workouts and hard training schedules....something totally fun...painting!  And the lady who came to teach the girls was just the sweetest and had the perfect painting for our little gymnasts!  I apologize for the quality of the pics, taken with my phone, the very old and outdated iphone 3S....with no flash capabilities. Woe is me. But anyway, here we go:

Oh, she's a cutie alright, and the painting turned out pretty well too! :)

She does her own stunts. :)

Baby Girl trains hard. For hours upon hours in the gym each week. Not just for a few weeks, not even for a couple of months, or half a year....her sport never stops.  She trains ALL YEAR LONG.  And folks, I'm here to tell you, that training paid off in a big way this past December at the end of her competitive season.  

We traveled to the State Championship meet where she placed 2nd on beam! 
(A sweet friend of mine who was almost as proud of her as we were, and is also an editor at the paper, did a little write up for Baby Girl's accomplishment) 

We couldn't be prouder.  She did farily well throughout the season, especially considering this was a much harder level.

                                              

                                                

Baby Girl improved her scores with each new meet and that's what we all strive to do, right?
 Get better with each and every try, improve with each new day.

 She placed on vault and beam in almost every meet throughout the year, placing as high as 3rd, 4th and 5th.  It turns out for Baby Girl the old saying is true, she did save the best for last....and the best brought home a silver medal from the State Championship! 

That's all for this season folks!  But we can hardly wait for her new season to begin!

Her sweet smile makes my heart happy....

She has been in her competitive season for several weeks now.  It is a much harder level which requires many hours of training, several nights a week.  This level is full of difficult skills at each event, Vault, Floor, Beam and Uneven Bars (still her big nemesis). 

At any rate, I have been very proud of her and her accomplishments thus far. She placed 6th on vault in a meet at Orange Beach last month, 5th on beam in Montgomery, and her best competition came this past weekend in Birmingham, where she received 4th place medal for Beam. 

I hope to have more photos on a post up soon...still trying to get pics situated from the dead laptop!

She is improving with each meet and keeping a positive attitude, and always putting forth the smile that makes her eyes twinkle...who could ask for anything more? :)  

Somebody I know was atop the podium stand this weekend....

Baby Girl had  a big competition this weekend.  A home meet, hosted by her team. It's always fun to do well in front of the home crowd. :)   I was working during several sessions of competition, but I was running back and forth so I could watch Baby Girl perform, so I gave the camera duties over to Temple.....which is why there are only a few shots.   You live and you learn. :)

Baby Girl showing off some straight lines, tight body, pointed toes here in her floor routine......she still had a slight problem with a tumbling run, involving some froggy looking legs, but improved her score and we were proud.

She also did well on vault and improved some on bars.....but it was beam....the BEAM, you know that 4 inch wide apparatus that takes a lot of balance to just stay on the thing??? 

Yes, it was beam, her best event thus far in her competitive season, where she shined brightly.....taking 1st place.

 And putting her at the top for the first time ever.....WAY TO GO BABY GIRL!! 

1st place has never looked so good! :)

(hey, she's my kid and it's my blog, I can brag all I want.)

I bet Mary Lou Retton only wishes she looked this good in a leo....

                                                                     

Seriously....how'd she get so stinkin' cute? 

Baby Girl had another meet this past weekend and did well again.  Highest score came on beam where she scored 2nd place with a 9.325.  She fell on her back handspring during her floor routine so it threw her all around score off a bit. However, I couldn't be prouder of my little gymnast!

Baby Girl had her first gym meet for this season!!

I'm excited to say she came home with a slew of medals hung about her neck!!  Finishing 5th in the All-Around---not too shabby for her first competition this fall.

Seen here with her coaches, Candace and Lauryn, who are mighty fine, fantastic gals!

Highest score for Baby Girl = balance beam, with a whopping 9.30!!

Her highest place on the podium for the day = 2nd on Vault with a 9.275!!

Highlight of the meet = her cousins came to watch!!

Proud of you, Baby Girl---and we can hardly wait to watch you compete again!!

Exhibition time at Alabama Gymnastics

This is the second year for Baby Girl to appear in an exhibition show before the Alabama Gymnastics meet.  A big honor.  A litte girl. Sure, she's still a newbie, and she isn't one of the "high level" gymnasts that do all the  "big tumbling runs". 

But one day she might be.....keep looking for her. For now, she's content to do her few runs across the big blue mat for her round-off rebounds, and then dance a little on the sidelines while watching her other teammates show out.

When her team was finished with providing the pre-meet entertainment, she rushed back to change and get up in the stands to watch the REAL deal.  Alabama vs. Arkansas.  Alabama is known for their great gymnasts.  Baby Girl's head coach is a former Alabama gymnast. Every year it seems Alabama is dominant in gymnastics.....and with a fiery little spunky woman like Sarah Patterson as their coach....well, it's no wonder.  

Baby Girl is ever amazed (as everyone else in the Coliseum) to see the gymnasts flying high....and making it all seem so effortless.....especially when you train many hours each week and you know it's not effortless at all.  So amazing, it's hard to just stay in you seat.

Ashley Priess flying high  (3rd place in All-Around for the night)

Ricki Lebegern makes it look as easy as floating in a pool of blue water  (2nd place in All-Around for the night)

And who could forget Morgan Dennis.....the undisputed star of the show....and rightly so, taking home 1st in All-Around for the night

Baby Girl....watching and waiting....hoping and praying....

Because one day.....it just might be her.

A few updates....

A few weeks back, the Middle Boy and I had that BIG DATE--all day event.   His doctor appointment.  Lunch together afterwards.  A trip up and down the aisles of Costco.  Matinee Movie to see Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.  A visit to his Daddy's office.  Free cups of flavored coffee and tea from their beverage room (where he had too much fun with the whole Keurig machine.)  And culminating with a evening on the town to see Disney on Ice complete with a $12 snow cone in a Mickey Mouse Head.  That's like the proverbial cherry on top....an expensive proverbial cherry, none the less.  It's ice and water with flavoring and food coloring.....how does it cost $12???  

Anyway, we had a great time.  I announced early that morning on the drive to Children's Hospital, how excited I was about our BIG DATE.  He rolled his big brown eyes and smiled every so sweetly and stated, "Mama, I really thought I'd be driving myself on my first BIG DATE.  And if we wouldn't have been about to travel across 3 interstates in one fell swoop, and because state law prohibits 10 year olds from driving at all, there's a possibility I would have pulled over and let him behind the wheel.  I am a sucker for the big brown eyes and sweet smile.....

We did have a super time together---all day and night.  Such a joy for some one on one time with my Middle Boy.  He rated everything on the ride home. 

• 
  
  1st place was being released from activity restriction for his leg....obviously....and tying this spot for first was the trip to Dad's office.
  
  
  
• 
  
  2nd was the movie tied with Disney on Ice
  
  
  
• 
  
  3rd was Costco and Sam's ( we were on a mission, normally I wouldn't drag my kids to all the discount warehouses just for kicks)
  
  
  
• 
  
  and then after he stated all these facts....he so adorably announced....
  And the GRAND PRIZE would be getting to spend the whole day with my Mom. 
  
  
  

I know.  I melted too. It was the best date ever.  Too bad he's too young for me. And I'm already married.  To his father.  Otherwise...I'd be scooping him up before some other girl could snatch him as their own.

Baby Girl is still sickly.  Her tonsils and lympy nodes look GARGANTUAN as the pediatrician stated.  She will have surgery sometime soon to remove those tonsils. We pray this will help.  At the very least, I hope it stops her from snoring like a Grizzly Man. :)  She's puny, but a good sport about it all....and always a good patient. We've had a good time together this week she's been home from school. Pajamas are our clothing of choice!!

I thank you all for your sweet comments, calls, texts, hugs, and emails from the post a couple of days ago about our journey in parenthood.  Just as a small update....Elder Son is surviving quite well.  Last night was the first basketball game.  He was eager to attend to cheer on his school.  He says he's fine...and I believe him. The Dad and I discussed that it probably will be one of the best things that could have happened to him.....hard to see how it all will work that way right in the moment of hurt, but the future looks bright. 

The new net was put up shortly after the family talk Tuesday night.  Since then I have heard the distinct sound of the Thump, Thump, Thump of a basketball on every occasion possible.  He's been out there every free 5, 10, or 15 minutes he's had.....before school in the mornings, right after homework, right before the games yesterday afternoon. 

The House of Bowling will survive. 

Will Middle Son become a famous running back with his bionic titanium leg?.....not yet.

Will Baby Girl be the next Mary Lou Retton on the Olympic Stage?.....not yet

Will Elder Son fly through the air like Michael Jordan?.....not yet.

Not yet....but we'll see....the future's out there, just waiting for each of them.

Are they the best kids ever????  You bet.  That was a no brainer.

Have a great weekend y'all!!

It could have been all the houndstooth that made her sick.

Baby Girl had a gymnastics meet this past weekend.  It was hosted by her club...and the event is called the Bama Rama.   This year's theme, "where stars become legends"....with lots and lots of houndstooth...everywhere.  At any rate....she did very well in competition.  Her highest place was 2nd on beam...with a high score of 9.325.   Way to go TB.   She also placed 4th in the All-Around.  We are proud.  So proud, even with that houndstooth ribbon hanging in her ponytail.

I shudder at the thought of making the dreaded "E"

Baby girl reminded me the other day that we have to take a copy of her report card to her training, as her gymnastics coach has requested it. A lot of outside time is put into gym practice, many hours each week, and the club wants to make sure that girls keep up their academics as well. Her coach has a rule that in order to maintain your spot on the competitive team, you must also maintain an A-B average.

The conversation went like this:

• "Mama, Coach said to be sure to bring our report cards to practice. We have to show them to her."

"Why?" (of course I know why, I just like to hear her tell stories, with all the drama and flair)

• "Because if you have any C's, D's, E's or F's, you will not be able to be on the team. She said we could only have A's or B's."

I have no idea how she's maintained ALL A's.... never having made a single "E" in her entire school career.

From Taylor Swift to Olympic hopeful, in only a matter of hours.

TB had a gym meet on Friday. She did well, especially considering she had been all hyped up in her kickin' cowgirl boots at her concert only just the night before.....what a versatile little all American gal.

Anyway, she did great on some events, and not so great on others. For instance, the vault, which is never her strong suit, gave her problems yet again. She took off running and decided at. just. the. last. second.....that she wasn't ready. Which is fine, you can run off to the side and not be penalized, and then try again. She, however, ran full force, and then eeeekkkkeeeddd to a blunt stop right at the edge of the apparatus. As long as you don't touch the apparatus, you're still fine, just step to the side. She did not. That blazing speed she has, (ha), had caused such momentum that her toes couldn't dig in the runway hard enough and although she tried to hold it, she fell forward and touched. the. apparatus. UGH.

However, let it be known, she posed, smiled at the judges, and then trekked right back down the runway to give it another go for her 2nd run. Which she did well.

On a better note, she scored another high score, for her anyway. A 9.250 on beam. Lovely routine, if I do say so myself. And she scored a 9.050 on bars. Placing 3rd overall on bars!! Way to go!

We left in a flash from the meet in order to get back in time for the Friday night football game. Which we lost. Our team has been doing so well this year, coming into Friday at 8-0, already securing a spot in the playoffs. This was a big game, too. Like huge. Region Championship riding on it, huge. I'm not gonna lie, it hurts to lose. But, there's still more games to play, so we look ahead, not behind.

I promise before long I'll show you some of my better shots from the Friday night games.....of the "real" players instead of just my boy....who warms the sidelines. :)

My brother and his family came over on Saturday night to watch some football. We love our Auburn Tigers, but basically we watched LSU use us as a practice/scrimmage match. Ugh. Again, it hurts to lose. The good news, I made some good brunswick stew, cornbread muffins, and yummy dessert as well. All was not a loss.

At any rate, it's been another full weekend. A common theme around our hill. Weeks, weekends, packed with.....life. I love it. Fall, I'd just like to say, thanks....your weather and festivities are some of my absolute favorites!

Just call her Tumblelina.....

Another meet....Another great night on the medal stand.

TB did really well at her competition receiving a silver medal and two bronze:

• 2nd on BEAM with her highest score ever, a 9.225
• 3rd on BARS
• 4th in ALL-AROUND

• These girls love gymnastics....and each other.