M's Gymnastics Meet

Miss Maddie was so excited to finally get a chance to do a intersquad "meet" at gymnastics.  She wasn't able to attend the fall one because it was on a Sunday.  A few days before she said she was a little nervous and so we practiced her floor routine.  Too bad she never told me that she hadn't really learned her beam routine.

On the drive over to the gym, she announced to me that she was also nervous about her Beam routine, stating "I am not sure I really remember it". I encouraged her to do the best she could and told her she would be fine.

Bars started out well with a hit set!  She was so pleased to make all of her skills and was practically beaming with excitement.  Then Balance Beam came.  I watched her warm up and indeed she didn't know ANY of the routine.  At that point I started really worrying for her.  She looked so timid and nervous, whispering to her friends that she didn't know the routine. When it was her turn, she practically had to have the coach do the entire routine next to her because she didn't know it.  Because of this she fell twice and had a rough showing.  My heart broke as I watched her dismount and go sit down with her head held down and sob.  I wanted so much to go down there and take her in my arms to try to take away the pain.  Instead I had to stay seated in the stands and watch.  She did look up once at me and I told her I loved her and smiled and waved.  She gave me a weak smile and eventually calmed down enough to head to Vault.

Her first Vault was great, but then on her second one she stumbled and didn't go over in her Handstand Fall flat to back.  Once again she was upset and this just compounded from the previous event.  Tears flowed again and I was powerless to comfort her.

At this point I wanted so badly for her to finish off great on Floor Exercise.  And luckily it did!  Although it wasn't her best routine, she did do her Round off Backhandspring all by herself!  And with that the competition was over.  Ribbons and treats followed this and then we were headed home.  I think we were both emotionally exhausted and more than ready to be done.

We had a long talk together about the importance of being prepared for different situations in life, whether gymnastics meets or preparation for the Savior coming.  Then I promised her that I would help her practice her routines at home.  We took some post-meet pictures.  I can't even stand how cute my little girl is!

Love you tons little lady!  I cannot wait to see how you learn and grow over the course of this year.  I know great things are coming your way.