Leap

I took this snapshot from Maddie's floor video today. I love her leaps. When she really concentrates they look so pretty.

Video

I was there to get a video of her vault today.

Vault

I made it to the last 20 minutes of practice today and they were on vault. I got to see Maddie hit 6-7 of the prettiest level 5 vaults she has ever done. I wish I had brought my video camera. I think I'm going to get it and keep it in my purse. She got compliments from her coach and the co-owner. I think it really helps her that I'm not there and paying attention constantly. It's either that or she's just really start to connect everything together. She still has about a month and a half before her first meet and we are taking next week off completely.

Kip

Maddie has been taking privates with a lady out of her house. Ms. Kathy just got her bar up this week. She still has some work to do on it, but the girls got to work their kips today. Maddie is oh so close. Her front hip circle wasn't so pretty, but her kip is starting to look good. She does have her front hip circle. I saw it with my own eyes yesterday and after I shot this video she did several in a row.

Practice

I watched Maddie practice today. I saw her hit her front hip circle and her cartwheel on beam consistently. She has everything she needs for level 4 and is only missing the kip for level 5. She goes to the lady who she has been doing privates with and will get to do bars tomorrow. She is going to concentrate on the kip. I would love for Maddie to get it soon. She wants to do it so bad.

Summer is boring

The summer training schedule is boring to me. I don't get to see any of her progress. I actually like watching. She says she has most of her floor and beam routine. I can't wait to see it all put together. She's still loving it and I'm on the hunt for cheap leos.

It's official

Well after thinking long and hard about it, we decided to keep Maddie at level 4. That's going to give her a chance to get so much better and the stress will be so much less. She only has to learn one beam routine and one floor routine so it will be so much easier on her. She won't be competing against the girls from her old gym that we had issues with. It's going to be a good season. I'm excited and can't wait for it to start.

Summer is going well

Not much to update on the gymnastics front. Summer team practice is going well. We are still deciding between level 4 or 5. At the beginning of summer I was all for level 4, but now I'm not so sure. She didn't compete level 4 this season. She went straight from level 3 to prep op silver. I think it would be good for her and build her confidence if we held her back to level 4. She does so much better at compulsories anyway. She's been practicing with the level 4 team at gym and it's been going great. She has all of the skills except for her front hip circle is not consistent. She also has all of the level 5 skills except for the kip. I think if we held her back, it would give her a whole year to get that down really, really well. I think she's also decided that it wouldn't be so bad to stay at level 4. We shall see.