Gym Fatigue

Happy Holidays to everyone!! Hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving this week--we had a wonderful time with our friends--and this year they hosted, so I didn't have to cook! We are so grateful to be blessed with such great friends to spend Thanksgiving with every year!

The gym was closed several days this week--and Kaylie was happy about that. She seems to be having a little bit of burn out---not surprising giving the number of hours she spends there each week, and how many times we have to pass on get togethers with friends because of her gym schedule. This month I've decided to let her pass on any days of her choosing, in addition to all of the days the gym will be closed for the Christmas and New Years holidays.

She's still working at getting her back handspring--so close, but doesn't have it yet! We've had to put off her private lesson--the economy has had a negative effect on my fabric sales, so hopefully after the first of the year we'll get that back on our schedule. She should be all rested by then, and ready to go!

Level 5 California State Finals

Well, we didn't get to go watch Kaylie's level 5 team mates compete in the state finals--but at least the her team mates made it there! The roads in and out of our community, as well as the roads from the communities south of Simi Valley (where the finals were held) were all closed due to the horrible fires raging throughout the greater Los Angeles area, so many girls were unable to compete, after training all year to earn a chance at the state finals.

I was glad to hear that the decision was made to allow any girl to compete who actually arrived, even if she was late. Normally you are not allowed to compete at all, if you miss your scheduled time. I wish they could take it a step further, and allow any level 5 girls who couldn't get thru to compete in Bakersfield during the level 4 state finals---don't expect that they will, but I think it would be the right thing to do.

My heart goes out to all of the families who have lost their homes, and had their lives disrupted by this series of fires, and I pray that the weather will cool off soon to help the firefighters in their efforts to put it out.

Good Friends!

I'd like to thank some dear friends of ours, the Larkins, for their generous contribution---it means a lot to us to have your support and presence in our cheering section (although we all wish it was still coming from across the street ;-) !!

I look forward to the day we can invite you to a meet!! Still no word on when that will be--but we'll keep you posted!

Auction-less Offerings

A few of the things that have been donated have not sold at auction, so I have decided to make them available directly here on the blog---Photos of items available are posted on the right hand column, noted with "Make an Offer". If you see something you're interested in, just send me an email with an offer. It has been hard to promote fundraising in this difficult economy--I know that things are tight for so many of us, so I have just decided to post things here, and continue to spread the word in a low-key way.

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!!