Thank You Kate!!

I have been so busy lately, that I have not taken the time to post here--and since I have a huge "thank you" to send out, that is not good!

One of my "myspace" friends, Kate, has been so incredibly supportive of my efforts for Kaylie, that she has started creating her own items to sell on behalf of Kaylie!! She has been knitting and sewing away and showcasing her creations at a friend's store, as well as sharing them at work and taking orders from co-workers! So thank you so much Kate, your generosity and hard work are deeply appreciated!

A trip to the gym

For the last couple of months, I have not been staying at the gym for Kaylie's workouts--apparently it was a little bit embarrassing that I was the only mom to stay and watch. So I'm limiting my time, and last night was one of the nights I stayed to watch. (Sheridan has a level 1 class on Fridays, so that gives me a good excuse!)

While I was there, the team was working on beam--which I hadn't seen Kaylie do for months. I was able to see her perform the entire routine on the regular beam (the one that is used in competition, as opposed to one that sits on the floor for practice) for the first time! Wow, what a long way she has come!! I think she's the best one on her team at this event. Of course, I'm not biased or anything! I think that she comes across very well, because she doesn't give the impression that she is worried about falling off. It's amazing how much difference that creates to the viewer--she seems more graceful and self-assured, so even if the actual skill is performed with the same accuracy, hers looks better. I'm pretty happy about this--for the obvious parental pride reasons, but also because it is so important for her self-esteem. She came onto this team after spending only two weeks at level 3, so initially she was way behind the other girls. Now she is at or ahead of her teammates on beam and bar, and behind only on vault and floor. I think that is a perfect place to be--excelling on some apparatus, and striving to improve on others. A nice balance for the all girls on the team to feel good about whatever skill they excell in, and to be motivated to improve on the others!

School has finally started!!

And I hope to have the proper time and energy to focus here! I spent quite a few hours today prepping and listing some items on eBay--there are 3 photo links on the right side of the blog. Several additional items, including some "Enchanted" party supplies, and a Wilton Castle Cake decorating set have also been listed for Kaylie's fund.

Kaylie had almost two weeks off from the gym, due to the Labor Day weekend--so she's pretty tired and sore after two really good workouts on Friday and Saturday! But even with a long break between, she made a couple of improvements in her skills, including a comment from her favorite coach that she made the best vault he's ever seen her do!! Yay!! She also was able to do a back hand spring using the mat, without being spotted by the coach! "Getting" her back hand spring is a big goal of hers, so she's very happy to be so close. Soon she'll be doing them without the mat, and deciding what her next goal is!

We'll keep you posted!!

Olympics 2008 Continued

Well it's been a couple of days ago, but I thought I'd give kudos to our two USA women's gymnasts who did such an outstanding job in the all-around event. Shawn Johnson (native of West Des Moines,Iowa----quite close to Gramme!) and Nastia Liukin.

As the parent of a young gymnast, I have the beginnings of an idea how hard these girls have worked, and I'm so pleased for them to have had their Olympic dreams come true.

Summer Olympics 2008

Congrats to the USA men's gymnastics team!! What a way to pull it together, and give it your best effort! I'm very impressed with these young men, faced with the loss of two of their team members due to injury, and yet still managing to bring home bronze medals. Bravo!

We're looking forward to watching the women's team finals tonight--Kaylie has two of her teammates coming over to spend the night so they can watch it together. Unfortunately, several of the girls have already started school, so they can't come. So now we're having two sleepovers---another one a week from Saturday so that the whole team can come---I guess I'll record the individual final, or the exhibition that will be on the Oxygen channel, so they can watch while they're here.

Something else about ChipIn

If you are interested you can put Kaylie's ChipIn widget on your blog, website, facebook, or myspace page. By doing this, we can spread the word to more people who might be interested in making a donation. This widget allows people to make secure donations through Paypal, simply and easily. For most sites, just copy and paste this URL into your browser for information on putting Kaylie's ChipIn widget on your site:

http://www.chipin.com/mywidgets/id/8ada74672bd19a44

I tried to use the blogger link function to create a clickable link--but when I post, it just shows up with a blank spot---just not my day today, I guess. I've been able to add the clickable link just below the widget on this blog--just be aware that when you click on the link, the widget you get won't have the "supporting a young girl's gymnastic's dreams" notation, so you have to add it, or one of your choice into the "info" box that will show up when you go to the widget page. This info box is important, because it lets people know more about what we are raising money for. Then choose which type of page/site you'll be adding it to, and generate the html code to paste on your site.

For Facebook accounts, the widget is actually separate--strange, I know. For some reason I can't include the same widget there, as I do on my other pages, so my facebook account is running a completely separate fundraising widget. I'm also having trouble adjusting the amount and closing date on the facebook widget--but will try again later as it may just be a server issue. So, to add her widget to your facebook account, contact me, and I will send you a link--or if you are already a friend on mine on facebook, there is a link on the widget that allows you to include it on your profile.

Some of you may have noticed that I adjusted the goal amount down, in addition to extending the time period---that's because with more time to earn money, I will try and incorporate more eBay sales to achieve the necessary funding. But please don't let that stop you from making a generous contribution!!!! ;-)

It looks like Spring...

Although the head coach hasn't come right out and said it's absolute, what he has said indicates to me, that he's not really even considering having any of the level 4 girls compete this fall. Kaylie is, of course, quite disappointed. It's very difficult when you work this hard, and not to get the opportunity that you were hoping for. I know that when we went to the meet a couple of months ago, that it was difficult for Kaylie to watch the other girls competing, and not be able to do it herself. Now it will be doubly difficult.

I believe that the coaches are acting in the best interests of the girls--I think that the girls are actually at the point of knowing the routines--which was the original criteria for being allowed to compete. But, they don't quite have the finesse and mastery of the skills, that will earn them good marks. The coach mentioned to me, that he doesn't want them to have a bad first experience--i.e. receive poor marks, and feel bad about their abilities. Better to wait, and give them the chance to perform well. So I feel bad for Kaylie, but believe it is the correct call.



The good news for me, is that I now have more time to raise funds for the meets that she will eventually be attending. The spring meets for level 4 seem to be concentrated in February and March, so I can expect to have to come up with the fees starting in December/January. First it'll be the membership in USA Gymnastics and the team leo, then in January it'll be the actual meet fees, which are due 21 days before the meet. So for me, that is good. I find that my eBay sales are usually better in the fall months---summer is usually slow as people are away on vacation, and in the fall people are looking for gifts.