One month back in the gym, so far, so good

Well, Emily's been back in the gym for a full month, and still on very light duty.  She's lost her kip and desperate to get that back, she has not performed any tumbling on the floor yet and gets cleared from the doctor on December 7th.  We'll see how it goes. 

Meanwhile Emily has grown one inch, gained about 15 lbs and her shoe size has gone from a 2 to a size 4 children's, 5 ladies.  She's really growing fast, wider in the shoulders and a little taller but I fear if she doesn't grow soon, she'll be lucky if she makes it to 5 feet tall.  She takes after her Grandma June I fear.  Both her and Kerry Anne, her cousin are going to be the shrimps of the family.

Christmas is only 26 days away!  Happy holidays everyone!

Emily's finally back in the gym...

Well, starting last week Emily's been back in the gym conditioning. It's been a long time off and a long time healing from Osgood-Schlotter's Disease.  Her knee is still sore, but she couldn't wait to get back into the gym. I don't think I want her out there 5 days a week again.  She's got to use those legs her whole life.  Long after her gymnastics career.   She's still got 4 more weeks before she's cleared for full practices.  We'll see how it goes.  There's always next year.  Right now she's taking it easy at Highland Hills Gymnastics.

2012 Olympics - Go Team USA!

Emily and I spent this morning searching for news on Team USA girls.  What a shock to find out that Jordyn Wieber did not qualify for the Individual All Around final.  More news at http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Olympics/2012/0729/Olympics-shocker-Jordyn-Wieber-US-all-around-gymnast-fails-to-qualify

Well, as Michael Phelps just discovered, 4th place is not where anyone wants to be.  My heart goes out to Jordyn, her coach and her family.  She's worked so hard, she's still the World Champion. 

We will continue to root for the ENTIRE US TEAM.  Personally I just love Ali Raisman's Floor routine and music, as for Gabby Douglas - she really can fly on the bars! It will always be a team effort and we'll be rooting for them to win gold!

Our men's favorite is John Orozco.  He's such a nice kid and has such great heart. We'll be cheering him on this evening.  Emily and I have decided that we're going to go watch the next summer Olympics in 2016.  Rio, here we come!

UPDATE ON EMILY'S STATUS
Emily's new skills are:
Kip, cast, handstand, three-in-a-row, on Uneven Bars
Front walkover, tik tok on the high beam, without a mat!
Emily's coach tells me that when she performs a twist, Emily knows exactly where her body is at all times while tumbling.  Emily's a pretty good tumbler I have to admit. The first time I saw her do a back layout, she took my breath away.  I was shocked at the air that she got. 

Saluting all Gym Moms...

Proctor and Gamble decided to make this series of videos, to acknowledge what we as moms go through daily to support our childrens' dreams and aspirations...

I just love this line from the below video "Olympians -  they weren't born that way, they're raised that way..."




For all of those naysayers that would like to believe that what we are doing, as the mother of a dedicated child in any disclipline is living vicariously through their child...

lets not forget ...the late night hand washing of the exhibition uniforms, the waking of the athlete, preparation of the morning meal, the early morning hair braiding, stocking the snack bag with healthy food to get her through another grueling practice... the checking of the school homework... the endless daily driving... to the gym, to the school, to the gym, back to home... and before transporting to each destination, making sure to prepare a healthy "in-transit" meal, carrying their exhausted body out of the car to bed at the end of a grueling day and asking your little champion after every practice "Did you have fun today?"




So to clarify - we as mothers dedicate ourselves to our children, fear for their safety, we are there to shore them up when they feel defeated, pray to God that we have the strength to continue in their quest whatever it may be, and cry with relief and pride that we are privileged to witness their shining moments ... no matter what path we end up being dragged down by our future medalist.  As mothers we will continue to do so as long as we live and breathe. We love them and are in awe of their accomplishments, drive and dedication.

Here's a great article  The Role of the Gymnastic Parent

Here's another great article http://voices.yahoo.com/what-takes-gymnastics-parent-537025.html

Gymnastika's Spring Fling

Yesterday Gymnastika put on their Spring Fling, which is a meet for the recreational kids to show off the skills that they've learned in this past session.  Emily and her team mates got the chance to show off their stuff performing an exhibition dance routine.





The optional girls really burned up the floor performing their dance routine to Bollywood Fusion.



While at this meet, a few of us started discussing organizing a new 501(c)3 to benefit local gymnasts. I love it when a plan comes together...

Happy Mother's Day to YOU, the Gym Rat's Mom

Happy Mother's Day to all of my friends that I've met over the years at different Gymnastics Clubs! Thank you USA Gymnastics and Proctor and Gamble for the following  video:

 

I also believe my daughter Emily will do great things after her days of competition are behind her. 

Right now Emily is training 26 hours a week at Gymnastika, in Arvada, CO, she loves every moment and is truly dedicated to her sport.  I ask her daily if she's still up for this schedule, and the answer is always the same "I love to compete, Mom!  I want to be Elite!"  So, as long as she makes the effort, I will be there to support her, but I often remind her there's a life outside the gym, that her schoolwork  and friendships outside of the gym are just as important.

Today I finally had a little time to watch my daughter's practice.  I had not watched a practice since January as my company's busy season kept me running ragged.  When I got there, a half an hour before practice was over, my daughter and her group (Level 6's and 7's) were on the floor practicing tumbling passes.  It was Emily's turn as I watched her complete her back handspring, back layout I was shocked at how much height she was able to get in her back layout on a spring floor, not on a trampoline.  She took my breath away.  It's moments like that one that keep us, the parents inspired to continue to support our children in this sport.  Emily, labeled a problem child with Asperger's Syndrome and ADHD, now channels her frustrations in tumbling passes, switch leaps and twists.  How she amazes and inspires me...

It takes an enormous amount of commitment - both time and resources - to support your gymnast in her goal of mastering this sport with no guarantee that she will make it to collegiate level, much less Elite status, but as parents we are there for our children because we love them and want the best for them.  We'll all be there to support our children no matter what in whatever they choose as their passion.

On a side note:
As we approach a new competition season, since I've been asked by several of my friends about Booster Club rules and regs, here is a great link to all things legal regarding Booster Clubs, what the Gym can, and can not force the parent to do. My best advice to you is to educate yourself and ask for documentation of proof that there is actually a legal organization that is bound by your State's Fundraising laws.  Any legal organization's documentation should be on file with your Secretary of State's office as well.

Word to the wise:  Booster Club Board of Directors are liable for any errors and omissions of legality and should be protected by Directors and Officers insurance policy to protect them against any "errors or omissions" in Booster Club acts and/or policies.  A Board Member can be sued personally for any mistakes made by the Club.

Please click here and educate yourself prior to committing your precious resources:

  Is this Booster Club Legal?

and  please check out The truth about Individual Fundraising Accounts

CGI Winterfest 2011

Looks like the TIGARS are a force to be reckoned with after all. Today the level 4, 5's and 6 girls went on to win the team award with a team total of over 111 points.

Emily turned to me on the way down to the meet and told me that she was going to break her old all around record and would earn over 37 points in all 4 events. So I thought and said to her "It's your last meet of the season, I'm proud of you no matter what you get today." I feared that she might be putting too much on her own plate, but...

Here's her scores:
Vault 9.1, Bars 9.1, Beam 9.625 and Floor 9.425 for a total all around score of 37.15! She did exactly as she set out to do.

Emily won the all around for Level 4. She placed 3rd on vault, 4th on bars, 1st on beam and 1st on floor.

Our little TIGARS battled it out for the podium. Hot on Emily's trail was Noelle Hart with an all around score of 37.1 followed by Kate Bain with an all around score of 37.05 and Joselyn Pulido in 5th place. Four out of five podium positions filled by TIGARS. Almost a sweep. Pretty good for a team that's only been together since June 2010! We can't wait until next year. This past season has been an adventure.

It's been a great season for Emily all in all.
This season's standings:

Premier Gymnastics 2010 Showdown Loveland, CO 9/26/2010 Level 4 Sr. Vault 9.300 Bars 8.750 Beam 9.000 Floor 9.300 All Around 36.350

Adrenalyn Gymnastics Rocktoberfest Centennial, CO 10/2/2010 Level 4 Sr. Vault 9.050 Bars 8.500 Beam 8.500 Floor 9.050 All Around 35.100

Encore Gymnastics Fall Fiesta Littleton, CO 10/9/2010 Level 4 Sr. Vault 9.100 Bars 9.100 Beam 7.800 Floor 9.450 All Around 35.450

CGI Autumn Classic Aurora, CO 10/24/2010 Level 4 Senior
Vault 9.200 Bars 8.250 Beam 8.600 Floor 8.500 All Around 34.550

Airborne Classic Longmont, CO 11/12/2010 Level 4 Senior
Vault 9.300 Bars 9.150 Beam 9.075 Floor 9.100 All Around 36.625

Colorado State Championships Denver, CO 12/12/2010 Level4 Junior 1 Vault 9.150 Bars 9.125 Beam 9.375 Floor 9.150 All Around 36.800

Vitaly Scherbo Invitational Las Vegas, NV 1/14/2011 Level4 Senior Vault 9.050 Bars 9.275 Beam 9.425 Floor 9.100 All Around 36.850

Pike's Peak Cup Colorado Springs, CO 2/4/2011 Level 4 Senior
Vault 9.200 Bars 9.200 Beam 9.000 Floor 9.000 All Around 36.400

CGI Winterfest Classic Denver, CO 2/18/2011 Level 4
Vault 9.050 Bars 9.050 Beam 9.625 Floor 9.425 All Around 37.150


Emily's worked hard and achieved all of the goals she's set before her. I am very proud of her and her team mates.

Emily's wins this season include 34 medals, 4th place at State on Beam and two all around titles. All of this from the girl that another gym said that she'd never be able to focus due to her Asperger's issues. Thank God Svetlana decided to leave that gym and move over to TIGAR so that Emily and her buddies could continue to benefit from her coaching skills.

On to Level 5. Emily has learned her kip and is more than happy to retire the "shoot through" a skill she will more than likely never need again in her gymnastics career. Time to break in the grips. Competition season is only 6 months away!

Merry Christmas! Another fee is due.

Medal display rack, courtesy my sister Jean.

Yes, sometimes you look at the situation and grit your teeth so as not get too frustrated.  Two days ago I went to the front desk of my daughter's gym and asked "Am I paid up for all of the upcoming meets, or should I anticipate any other fees?"  My answer was "No, you're good."  I took that as yes, I was finally on top of things...   NOT!!!!

No sooner did I rest, thinking I was able to go out and purchase Christmas gifts.... then last night I received an email.... "$115.00 in additional fees for the Coach's transportation to the (out of State meet)  are due before January 1st."

Well, ain't that just a wake up call!   This is a new gymnastics studio.  I understand that they are still in a learning curve, but...  I can't be the only parent in this situation - there is no way on earth that I'm going to be able to come up with that amount in such a short time without sacrificing either food or utilities...  so I wrote the gym back, begging for mercy, and a payment plan.

 So far this month I've forked out:

$190.00 for Level 4 training tuition    -  went to Gym
$110.00 for the State Meet this weekend for Coaches fees   - paid thru Gym
$125.00 for private lessons - paid directly to Coach
$ 30.00  for State Championship wearables - paid through Gym  (didn't HAVE to do this.. but then my daughter would feel left out...)
$   5.00 my fee to get into the State Championships to watch my daughter's performance.
(watching my daughter compete... absolutely priceless!)

and it's only the 9th of the month...

In all fairness, I doubt seriously that the Gym owner is making a huge profit, most of the money goes to paying the staff, facility costs and overhead expense.

It does appear that the Coaches live a lot better than we do - but then again these people live at the gym and rarely spend quality time with their own families and I know my daughter's coach has a child  a little younger than my daughter's age. Every weekend during the competition season (which is usually 9 months out of the year) the coaches give all of their time either in  private lessons, or teaching a class or attending a meet with their team.

What Svetlana's done for Emily is worth far more to me than the money I am spending... The ADHD/Asperger's meds ran over $200 a month and Emily was slowly becoming dependent on synthetic mood altering preparations.  It's an expensive sport, but... my daughter's behavioral issues are all but gone at this point and there's no need for medication.  We have three more exhibition meets after the State Championship! I just hope my pocketbook will hold out.

There seems to be no help for the weary.  Well, God willing,  I can continue to have her in this sport, as she has already proven that she's a contender, I know that sooner or later she'll get sponsorships and some of the financial weight will come off of me, but until then I keep my fingers crossed and pray for a way to keep this all together. Wish me luck!

One week before USAG Colorado Level 4 State Championships

I feel like I am starting this blog at the end, but really it's a beginning.  This was Emily's first year of competition in the world of Gymnastics and it proved to be pretty exciting so far. 

Emily has been diagnosed since birth with a myriad of disorders... sensory integration dysfunction, Asperger's Syndrome, ADHD.  I don't particularly believe that any of them fit her, I do believe that medical and school professionals like to place labels on kids that have no creative outlet for their energy. It seems to me that some kids just need more exercize than others.

Emily is extremely bright, but can frustrate easily and is a drama queen beyond compare. She needs a release for all of her pent up energy and gymnastics became the drug to control her ADHD without medication. She's no longer taking any medication for her 'disorder'. She takes gymnastics. It seems to be working better than any drug has so far.                      

Emily is currently 9 years old (almost 10) and a level 4 gymnast as of this posting.  She is attending TIGAR gymnastics in Wheat Ridge, Colorado.  Emily started in recreational gymnastics at the age of 3 at the urging of one of my friends who had kids already in the sport.  I took her out of it when she was 4 due to financial difficulties.  Being a single parent, competitive sports are financially draining. When things got better for me, I put her in Steven Oliver's Mile High Karate at the age of 5.  This proved to be a big mistake. 

Emily, a true competitor, was quite good at Karate - so much so that she got the taste for trophies and kicking butt... leading her to hold the title in my family as the only child (not just girl) to be placed in detention in FIRST GRADE.  I had to figure something out to do with this kid to get her under control.  Second grade bullies learned valuable life long lessons about picking on first graders that competed the Karate circuit.  I put Emily back in recreational gymnastics at the age of 7.

Emily's Level 4 season so far has been alot of fun to watch.  I know very little about this sport. I couldn't tell you at this point the names of the moves that she performs, but I can tell you that Noelle, her team mate who is younger, has many more girls competing against her in the junior group and is up against some pretty tough talent. Noelle is such a work horse.  She and Emily share private practices with their coach Svetlana. It just amazes me how all of these children can commit everything they have to reach their goals at such a young age.  The third of this little group is Megan.  She's struggling to keep up with Emily and Noelle, and she did qualify for the State Championships in the last meet.  Megan's the underdog and we're all rooting for her to do well at State. She's a fighter and the tiniest of the three.  I can't imagine this little group without her. 

It's been a long road from training to competition and these little ones have worked so very hard.  I wish them all the best of luck.

Here's a list of Emily's  individual results this year prior to the State Championships:

Premier Gymnastics  2010 Showdown Level 4 Senior results  9/25/10

Vault   9.300   (tied for 3rd)
Bars    8.750   (11th place)
Beam  9.000   (5th place)
Floor   9.300   (tied for 1st)
All Around 36.350  (3rd place overall)
Emily qualified for State at this first meet.  It was a great start for her.





Adrenaline Gymnastics - AGA 2010 Rocktoberfest Level 4 Senior Results 10/2/10 

Vault   9.050 (5th place)

Bars    8.500 (11th place)

Beam  8.500 (9th place)

Floor  9.050  (4th place)

All Around 35.100 (5th place overall)

Emily wasn't happy with 5th overall.  She learned that she was going to have to work harder to get where she wanted to be. She still qualified for State with the all around scores.

Encore Gymnastics - Encore Fall Feista Level 4 Senior 10/9/10

Vault   9.100

Bars    9.100

Beam  7.800

Floor   9.450

All Around  35.450 (boy I'm lax here, need the printout..)

Emily was first on Floor exercise, being at the top of the podium really made her day.

CGI Gymnastics - Autumn Classic - 11/13/10
Vault  9.200
Bars   8.250
Beam 8.600
Floor  8.500
All Around 34.55 (another one I need the printout for)
This was Emily's worst meet yet.  She was emotional and cried throughout every event. (I had her on her ADHD meds for this meet... I've since eliminated them completely)

Airborne Gymnastics - Airborne Classic - 11/12/10

Vault   9.300

Bars    9.150

Beam  9.075

Floor   9.100

All Around 36.625

This was Emily's best meet and the last one of the season prior to State Championships.

Good luck Emmy Mae! I am so proud of your commitment to this sport.  Love Mom