The Royal Blog

Competitive Gymnastics: Season 3 Level Five: Season One Meet: Five

Vault: 8.900
Bars:  8.700
Beam: 9.450
Floor: 8.750

AA: 35.800 (I think she got 4th place?)

Competitive Gymnastics: Season 3 Level Five: Season One Meet: Four

Vault: 8.550
Bars:  9.050
Beam: 8.800
Floor: 9.025

AA:  35.425 (6th "I was just happy I placed!")

10/28/09

Technically this is more E1 before gymnastics (with her Vera bag for her grips) than E1 after school (especially since she changed clothes):

Competitive Gymnastics: Season 3 Level Five: Season One Meet: Three

Vault: 8.600 I don't know what's going on with her vault (2nd)
Bars: 8.350 The consensus is she got robbed (2nd)
Beam: 8.750 She didn't fall on her cartwheel and was doing so well until she got a time warning! (2nd)
Floor: 9.175 I thought her score should have been a smidge higher (2nd)
AA: 34.875 Not a bad score of course, and she did miss most of her practices last week due to illness.  I'm just not sure her heart is really in it anymore (if it ever was) and her teammates are blowing her out of the water. (2nd*)

(*there were only 7 girls in the 9Old group and the other teams didn't not score very well)

No matter what, she is TOPs with me!

 

 

TOPs Testing 9 years old

(won't know national best/averages until after all testing is complete.)

This year:

Bridge (Shoulder Flexibility)

E1: 5

Right Leg Split:

E1 -  11.00

Left Leg Split:

E1 -  5.00

Leg Lifts:

E1 -  8.00

Cast Handstand:

E1 - 0.00

Vertical Jump:

E1 - 15.25

Press Handstand:

E1 - 1/10

Handstand Hold:

E1 -  0.00

20 Meter Sprint:

E1 - 3.28

Rope Climb 12 feet:

E1 - 9.47

Last year:

Shoulder Flexibility:

National Average - 4.64

     National Best - 5.00

                   E1 - 4.00

E1 points awarded: 4/5

Right Leg Split:

National Average - 11.06    

     National Best - 15.00

                   E1 -  6.00

E1 points awarded: 6/15

Left Leg Split:

National Average - 10.48

     National Best - 15.00

                   E1 -  5.00

E1 points awarded: 5/15

Leg Lifts:

National Average - 13.88

     National Best - 20.00

                   E1 -  6.00

E1 points awarded: 3/10

Cast Handstand:

National Average - 1.27

     National Best - 5.00

                   E1 - 0.00

E1 points awarded: 0/10

Vertical Jump:

National Average - 13.62

     National Best - 20.00

                   E1 - 11.50

E1 points awarded: 3.5/10

Press Handstand:

National Average - 2.09

     National Best - 5.00

                   E1 - 0.50/10

E1 points awarded: 1

Handstand Hold:

National Average - 12.57

     National Best - 30.00

                   E1 -  3.90

E1 points awarded: 0/10

20 Meter Sprint:

National Average - 3.59

     National Best - 2.91

                   E1 - 3.61

E1 points awarded: 5.5/10

Rope Climb 6ft:

National Average - 5.36

     National Best - 1.59

                   E1 - 4.40

E1 points awarded: 7.5/10

Total Points Awarded:

National Average - 50.41

     National Best - 86.50

                   E1 - 35.50

Team Camp: Day 3, Picnic

E1, after the dunk tank:

Team Camp: Day 2, Crazy Hair Day

Team Camp: Day 1, Crazy Hat Day

Gratitude

What I am especially grateful for this week:

1. E1 had a GREAT practice today!  She made her back walkover on the high beam (and got to ring the bell), did an aerial, and got to ring the bell for her Yurchenko drill.  She has been scared. to. death. to do the walkover so today was HUGE!

2. E1 and E2 had a ton of fun at a birthday party at their gym today.

3. Z had a blast playing paintball yesterday!  The team voted on MVP and he did not win, but he did get 5 (of 12) votes so that was nice!

4. Yummy meals and family time this week at Cracker Barrel, Buffalo Wild Wings and the Rusty Bucket.

5. Z had a big math project/presentation due this week and got 100 pts out of 100!

6. Hot Fuzz - what a funny movie!

7. Our new air conditioner!!

8. eta: E1 really enjoyed her field trip to the Ohio Caverns - although I think the highlight was the mood ring (lost this weekend in a porta potty tragedy) she bought at the gift shop!

Team Banquet

 

The year-end banquet for E1's gym was very nice.  And E1 got MVP for her level!  (They take everyone's top 3 All-around scores and the highest one for each level is MVP)

Yeowch

The good news is that E1 did a back walkover on the high beam.  The bad news is that attempt 2 was not quite as successful. 

Beam Burn:

Matchy Matchy!

Final Level 4 Meet aka State Championships aka 38! and 2nd?????

 

Vault: 9.650 (2nd)
Bars: 9.725! (1st!)
Beam: 9.300 (2nd)
Floor: 9.325 (2nd. Last Level 4 Meet, Last Event and at the last moment, she didn't stick the landing. [says her shoulder popped on her backhandspring and hurt so that threw her off])

AA: 38.  And. came. in. SECOND! First place got a 38.15.  Oh well.  State Champ would have been a great way to end the level but what can ya do?  She is Bars State Champ, and received her highest bar and vault scores ever.

E1 and I were there from noon until 10pm.  We stayed to watch one of her teammates and to find out if her gym took first place. It did! The girls were SO happy and E1 got to bring the trophy home for the night!  It was a very long day, but very fun!

What's the opposite of ni hao?

 

One of E1's coaches is going back to China after State Meet, so last night we did a few group photos with her.  We'll have all the girls sign the photo's mat, frame it, and give it to her at State.  

Today's gripe: What is wrong with teh internets/our computer/our internet service provider?  I have had SO much trouble accessing twitter, facebook and typepad today. Probably a sign to get off the computer and do laundry!

Level 4: Season 2, Meet 10

Bars: 9.275
Beam: 9.500
Floor: 9.650
Vault: 9.175
AA: 37.600 (1st!!)

Season Average:
Bars: 9.3175
Beam: 9.1975
Floor:  9.3525
Vault: 9.2175
AA:  37.085

Bars (very relieved to get a blue ribbon - there was some harsh judging):
 

Beam:
 

 Floor:
 

Vault:

More Meet Pix

 

 

 

Puma

SO glad I ordered the photo cd from E1's big meet - so nice to have decent gymnastics photos for a change!!

Level Four: Season 2, Meet 9

Bars: 9.475  1st
Beam: 9.500 1st
Floor: 9.600 2nd
Vault: 9.375 tied for 8th
AA: 37.950  1st

Season Averages:

Bars: 9.322
Beam: 9.164
Floor:  9.319
Vault:  9.222
AA: 37.028

Level Four: Season Two, Meet Whatever

Bars: 9.375 (2nd)
Beam: 9.250 (1st)
Floor: 9.300 (3rd)
Vault: 9.175 (4th)
AA: 37.100 (2nd)

Not bad for a little girl who was a. very stressed about this meet (our gym hosts it, there are three gyms going on at once, lots of people, lots of noise, etc) and b. is now pukey sick. Poor Puma.

Level Five Routines

Vault:

Bars:

Beam:

Floor (enjoy the stripper music!):

E1's First Level 5 Meet

E1's First Level 5 Meet: January 31, 2009

Vault: 8.400
Bars: 8.650
Beam: 8.650
Floor: 8.075
AA:  33.775

E1's First Level 4 Meet: September 29, 2007

  

Vault: 8.750
Bars: 7.300
Beam: 6.800
Floor: 5.600
AA: 28.450

 

Meet Seven

 

Bars: 9.450 (2nd)
Beam: 9.650 (1st, and her best beam score ever!)
Floor: 9.150 (3rd - floor scores were low across the board)
Vault: 9.200 (tied for 2nd, took 3rd)
AA: 37.45 (2nd place by .025)

Rock On, Puma.

• There were approximately 400 gymnasts at the meet this past weekend, from Level 4 -10. 

• There were only two scores above 9.7, one of which was E1's 9.7 floor score.

• There were only 15 scores between 9.5 and 9.599, two of which were E1's 9.5 vault and 9.55 bars scores.

• There were only 11 all-around scores above 37, one of which was E1's 38.15 score.

and.........

• There was only ONE gymnast whose all-around score was above 38. *smile*

Level 4 Season 2

Bars	8.850	9.175	9.200	9.375	9.450	9.550
Beam	8.575	8.725	9.050	9.050	9.275	9.400
Floor	9.300	9.225	9.275	9.000	9.325	9.700
Vault	8.850	8.700	9.300	9.600	9.300	9.500
All-Around	35.575	35.825	36.825	37.025	37.350	38.150

Season #2, Meet #4

Meet #4:

• Bars: 9.375 (2nd)
• Beam: 9.050 (2nd)
• Floor: 9.000 (2nd)
• Vault: 9.600 (1st)
• AA: 37.025 (2nd)

Meet #3

• Bars: 9.200 (2nd)
• Beam: 9.050 (5th)
• Floor: 9.275 (2nd)
• Vault: 9.300 (1st)
• AA: 36.825 (2nd)

Meet #2

• Bars: 9.125 (2nd)
• Beam: 8.725 (4th)
• Floor: 9.225 (2nd)
• Vault: 8.700 (6th)
• AA: 35.775 (2nd)

Meet #1

• Bars: 8.85 (4th)
• Beam: 8.575 (3rd)
• Floor: 9.30 (1st)
• Vault: 8.85 (2nd)
• AA: 35.575 (2nd)

Big Sis Little Sis

E1 got a great big sis this season.  B is very encouraging and has given E1 several cards and little gifties.  E1 really looks up to her - B is an elite gymnast who is also an excellent student and is very sweet.

Season #2, Meet #3

Meet #3

• Bars: 9.200 (2nd)
• Beam: 9.050 (5th)
• Floor: 9.275 (2nd)
• Vault: 9.300 (1st)
• AA: 36.825 (2nd)

Meet #2

• Bars: 9.125 (2nd)
• Beam: 8.725 (4th)
• Floor: 9.225 (2nd)
• Vault: 8.700 (6th)
• AA: 35.775 (2nd)

Meet #1

• Bars: 8.85 (4th)
• Beam: 8.575 (3rd)
• Floor: 9.30 (1st)
• Vault: 8.85 (2nd)
• AA: 35.575 (2nd)

Season #2, Meet #2

Meet #2

• Bars: 9.125 (2nd)
• Beam: 8.725 (4th)
• Floor: 9.225 (2nd)
• Vault: 8.700 (6th)
• AA: 35.775 (2nd)

Meet #1

• Bars: 8.85 (4th)
• Beam: 8.575 (3rd)
• Floor: 9.30 (1st)
• Vault: 8.85 (2nd)
• AA: 35.575 (2nd)

Tops Testing 8 year olds

Shoulder Flexibility:

National Average - 4.64

     National Best - 5.00

                   E1 - 4.00

E1 points awarded: 4/5

Right Leg Split:

National Average - 11.06    

     National Best - 15.00

                   E1 -  6.00

E1 points awarded: 6/15

Left Leg Split:

National Average - 10.48

     National Best - 15.00

                   E1 -  5.00

E1 points awarded: 5/15

Leg Lifts:

National Average - 13.88

     National Best - 20.00

                   E1 -  6.00

E1 points awarded: 3/10

Cast Handstand:

National Average - 1.27

     National Best - 5.00

                   E1 - 0.00

E1 points awarded: 0/10

Vertical Jump:

National Average - 13.62

     National Best - 20.00

                   E1 - 11.50

E1 points awarded: 3.5/10

Press Handstand:

National Average - 2.09

     National Best - 5.00

                   E1 - 0.50/10

E1 points awarded: 1

Handstand Hold:

National Average - 12.57

     National Best - 30.00

                   E1 -  3.90

E1 points awarded: 0/10

20 Meter Sprint:

National Average - 3.59

     National Best - 2.91

                   E1 - 3.61

E1 points awarded: 5.5/10

Rope Climb:

National Average - 5.36

     National Best - 1.59

                   E1 - 4.40

E1 points awarded: 7.5/10

Total Points Awarded:

National Average - 50.41

     National Best - 86.50

                   E1 - 35.50

Season #2, Meet 1

This year:

• Bars: 8.85 (4th)
• Beam: 8.575 (3rd)
• Floor: 9.30 (1st)
• Vault: 8.85 (2nd)
• AA: 35.575 (2nd)

Last year:

• Bars: 7.30
• Beam: 6.80
• Floor:  5.60
• Vault: 8.75
• Total: 28.45

Eeek!

E1's first meet is Saturday @ 4:30!  Here we go again!

She'll have to score nines if she wants to continue working on the higher level skills.  I hope that gives her some incentive. 

Day Eleven

Z was in a goofy mood this morning that was not conducive to picture-taking.

E1 made her backhandspring on the low beam last night!

Miss Fantastic Gymnastic

Tonight at practice, E1:

• did three cast handstand to vertical in a row (2 crisp 3rd sloppy)
• made a kip-cast-clear hip
• did an "awesome straight leg all the way up" rope climb

Saturday (maybe, might have been a different practice) E1:

• Almost did a giant

Oh my aching tentacles.

It was fun helping out at the gym yesterday; I know they really appreciated it and they bought everyone pizza!  All the trophies had been taken down and cleaned (we're talking hundred of trophies); our job was to put them next to the walls where they'll go back up (a ton are getting donated to Special Olympics who can re-use them).  Z then did some vacuuming and E1 cleaned some equipment.  They and the other kids managed to spend quite a bit of time however jumping on the trampoline.  Then three or four of us stood around telling one poor guy where to put the trophies. Fun!  I was fine until I helped fold up the big inflatable used for birthday parties - totally wrenched my knee.  Boo.

So no, I didn't go in this morning.  And I'm wondering how on earth I'll be able to run a 5k on Sunday.

We have one of "those" weekends coming up:

The kids and I all have dental appointments, three birthday parties, a soccer game, a Jonas Brothers concert and a Crew game.  All. on. Saturday.  Aye Carumba

Happy Camper!

Have a great week at Flip Fest sweetie!!

The parade was fun. Wet, but fun.

This was not the shirt *I* would have picked out:

Today

Dropped E2 off at daycare.  She was very happy.

Took E1 to camp.  Z & I stayed to watch Show & Tell.  E1 showed off her front tuck on floor and back tuck beam dismount:

All the groups performed a dance routine choreographed by Dominic (whoever he is!):

One of these days I'll figure out how to take gymnastics pictures.......

Anyhoo, then we chilled a bit at home.  Took Z to his soccer camp.  Stopped and got (not for me although I did try a nibble and boy are they good!) treats from Sugardaddy's:

Dad's Day

The kids wanted to bring daddy breakfast in bed.  B is NOT a big fan of breakfasty foods, so we went to the store and got blueberry muffin mix (the big kids love to help make the muffins), coffee ice cream, nutty bars, and coke.  Delicious AND nutritious:

So much for sleeping in:

In the afternoon, we went to the picnic E1's gym put on at a park.  The first order of business.....soccer:

Z wasn't feeling well, so while B tended to him, and E1 hung out with her buds P & G, E2 and I wandered around for a bit:

E1 finally tried the climbing wall (but only made it up about 5 feet):

Lunch was DELICIOUS.  I had two hot dogs and some heavenly pineapple.  When every one was stuffed, it was time for the father/daughter sack race.  It wasn't pretty, and I am surprised no one was injured.  In every heat, someone went down:

Z wanted to go home so E2 and I took him back and made him take a cold shower.  Went back to get B & E1 (without my camera) and E1 was climbing the wall again - almost made it the whole way up!

Later in the evening we went to Buffalo Wild Wings (without the camera). The girls looked so cute in their little Buffalo Princess crowns.    I ate. A. Lot.  (So I was bummed when I woke up feeling crummy.  Definitely need to work off yesterday's munchings.)

That was basically our day - hope you had a wonderful day too!

Inside out and Backwards Day at Camp

Happy Campers

E1 got to ring the bell at camp last night for making her half on vault.  She also did a baby giant.

Yesterday, Z won a game of Power Finesse at camp - he beat 21 other players.

This & That, Sunday Edition

E1 had fun at the birthday party yesterday.  It was at a pottery painting store.  She said they all painted cups - I guess they're drying?

She had a good time at TOPs testing.  I'm reasonably certain she didn't 'pass'.  They were told their score after each skill and I thought the gymnasts would get a sheet at the end that had all the scores and a total, but no such luck.  E1 claims:

• 5 out of 5 on her bridge
• 0 out of 5 on her cast handstand
• did the sprint in 3.61"
• held her handstand for about 5 seconds
• 6 of her leglifts counted

I suspect the highlight of the testing was riding to Cincy and back with P & her dad and stopping for lunch at Max & Erma's on the way home.

B & Z had fun at the Crew game last night even though the Crew lost to a crummy team.  Coach S set up a fantasy league for Euro 2008 so they set up their brackets yesterday and watched some of the games.

Yesterday I did no physical activity.  Today I did two miles on the treadmill.  Ten minutes at a warm-up pace, 10 minutes at 5 m.p.h. and about 6 minutes at 6 m.p.h. 

"I got my kip" bear

This came in the mail today for E1 (she was whelmed):

E1 made the drop kip* today.

* "A drill called a “drop kip” or a “basket kip” involves repeating the same kipping motion – from a support to a hanging position, and back to a support."

E1 officially got her kip last night and was able to do it about a dozen times!! 

Year One, done.

• The competition season is over!  We are done until the last weekend in September.
• E1 does not think she'll move up to Level 5 and expects to compete as a Level 4 next year.
• E1 plans on staying with gymnastics until she has to do "scary stuff" on the beam; then she might switch to cheer (which I think would totally suit her personality).
• The preCTOPs group was supposed to last just until State Meet; the Spring schedule came out yesterday and the group is still going.  E1 wants to continue as long as her friend G does.  I don't totally know what happened (little girl drama, oy) but E1's version is that C is making her practices miserable and is very annoying, negative, gloaty, unkind etc etc etc.   So if G doesn't continue with TOPs, E1 wants out too. 
• I asked E1 what we could do to help her at meets.   She said "Put up a curtain between me & the parents?  Ear plugs so I can't hear them?".   So I guess when meet season starts up again, we'll need to work on her tuning out the crowd. 

C is for Choke

Meet #9:

• Bars: 8.000
• Beam: 8.075
• Floor: 8.200
• Vault: 9.250
• Total: 33.525

I really wish she'd consider switching to cheer.  I think she'd love it.  She could dance, do backhandsprings, wear makeup and fun outfits and be in the spotlight, and not have the pressure of an individual score.

Meet #1:

• Bars: 7.3
• Beam: 6.8
• Floor:  5.6
• Vault: 8.75
• Total: 28.45

Meet #2:

• Vault: 9.1
• Bars: 8.05
• Beam: 8.55
• Floor: 6.55
• Total: 32.55

Meet #3:

• Beam: 8.05
• Floor: 5.6
• Vault: 8.55
• Bars: 7.8
• Total: 30.00

Meet #4:

• Floor:   7.90
• Vault:   8.95
• Bars:    7.82
• Beam:   7.90 
• Total:   32.57

Meet #5:

• Floor: 8.7    
• Vault: 9.2   
• Bars:  9.0   
• Beam: 9.1   
• Total:  36.00   

Meet #6:

• Bars:    7.950
• Beam:  8.750 
• Floor:   8.350
• Vault:   9.000   
• Total:  34.050 

Meet #7:

• Vault:   8.700
• Bars:    8.600
• Beam:   8.225 
• Floor:   8.600   
• Total: 34.125

Meet #8:

• Bars:   8.875 
• Beam:  8.975 
• Floor:  8.700   
• Vault:  8.850
• Total: 35.40

I like Graphs.

 

Meet #8

Meet #8:

• Bars:   8.875 (14 of 24 8yr olds)
• Beam:  8.975 (11 of 24)
• Floor:  8.700 (17 of 24)
• Vault:  8.850 (17 of 24)
• Total: 35.40  (14 of 24)

Meet #1:

• Bars: 7.3
• Beam: 6.8
• Floor:  5.6
• Vault: 8.75
• Total: 28.45

Meet #2:

• Vault: 9.1
• Bars: 8.05
• Beam: 8.55
• Floor: 6.55
• Total: 32.55

Meet #3:

• Beam: 8.05
• Floor: 5.6
• Vault: 8.55
• Bars: 7.8
• Total: 30.00

Meet #4:

• Floor:   7.90
• Vault:   8.95
• Bars:    7.82
• Beam:   7.90 
• Total:   32.57

Meet #5:

• Floor: 8.7    
• Vault: 9.2   
• Bars:  9.0   
• Beam: 9.1   
• Total:  36.00   

Meet #6:

• Bars:    7.950
• Beam:  8.750 
• Floor:   8.350
• Vault:   9.000   
• Total:  34.050 

Meet #7:

• Vault:   8.700
• Bars:    8.600
• Beam:   8.225 
• Floor:   8.600   
• Total: 34.125

Meh.

Meet #7:

• Vault:   8.700 (5th of 12 girls in the 8 yng category)
• Bars:    8.600 (2nd of 12 girls in the 8 yng category)
• Beam:   8.225  (4th of 12 girls in the 8 yng category)
• Floor:   8.600  (7th of 12 girls in the 8 yng category)
• Total: 34.125 (3rd of 12 girls in the 8 yng category)

Meet #1:

• Bars: 7.3
• Beam: 6.8
• Floor:  5.6
• Vault: 8.75
• Total: 28.45

Meet #2:

• Vault: 9.1
• Bars: 8.05
• Beam: 8.55
• Floor: 6.55
• Total: 32.55

Meet #3:

• Beam: 8.05
• Floor: 5.6
• Vault: 8.55
• Bars: 7.8
• Total: 30.00

Meet #4:

• Floor:   7.90
• Vault:   8.95
• Bars:    7.82
• Beam:   7.90 
• Total:   32.57

Meet #5:

• Floor: 8.7    
• Vault: 9.2   
• Bars:  9.0   
• Beam: 9.1   
• Total:  36.00   

Meet #6:

• Bars:    7.950
• Beam:  8.750 
• Floor:   8.350
• Vault:   9.000   
• Total:  34.050 

Not my pic, B got me the CD they were selling:

I just guaranteed that E1 will quit gymnastics in April

I ordered these:

She wants to be able to work on her press handstands.  Happy Birthday E1!

E1 has been rather flip-floppy lately when it comes to gymnastics.  One day she brags about how great she is; the next day she claims she wants out of preCTOPS.  One days she says she's not a real gymnast because half her wardrobe isn't leos and she needs more leos!; the next day she says she isn't a gymnast, she's a Justice girl and she needs more Justice clothes!  One day she cries because she can't skip practice to go to movie night at the school; the next day she's wishing she could go to an out-of-state gymnastics camp.   Aye carumba.

One thing I thought was kind of cool - one of the women who works at the gym (who has two gymnasts on the team) said that the overall head of the competitive team (a former elite gymnast and college scholarship gymnast, who currently coaches and judges) said that E1 reminds her of herself at that age.