Today was definitely an "A letter" day for Katherine. She was in her element at gymnastics this morning, and she literally radiated happiness. It was all over her -- from the smile on her face to the unmistakable spring in her step. Today was her day... and she knew it.
It all started about half way through class when the girls were working on their cartwheels. The gym has mats that they put on the floor for the girls to tumble on which shows proper hand and foot placement. They also have large circular mats that are put right beside the floor mats so that the girls have to kick their legs over the top of them. Evidently, it helps them get their legs up over their heads and helps them land properly... So, in the middle of this practice time, Mr. Terry, their coach, stops the class and has all the girls watch Katherine. He claims that her cartwheels are nearly perfect and her legs are positioned perfectly above her head. Wow... she was beaming.
Then, after Mr. Terry dismissed the girls for the day, he came out to the parent viewing area to ask us if we'd like him to show us how to spot a few tricks, so that the girls could practice at home. He immediately reached down for Katherine and took her back into the gym and used her as his "example". He took her into the middle of the floor and had everyone watch her turn a few tricks --- cartwheel, backward rolls, handstands, etc... and then he showed us how we can spot them at home. Again, pure elation. She was beaming!
She wanted to show me a few other things in the gym (as if I don't watch through the viewing area) and took off. Mr. Terry came over to me, pulled me aside, and told me that he thinks Katherine is really REALLY good for her age, and if she were 5, he'd ask me if I'd be willing to let him put her on the competitive team. I was shocked. He told me that her class has a lot of talent, and out of all of them, she's probably the most competitive one of the bunch.
*** Apparently, US Gymnastics rules state that you have to be 5 to be on a competitive team, and also 5 to perform certain tricks -- like a bridge.
He wants to take her to a meet at the end of this year (after the all important 5th birthday), and believes that Katherine's class will blow away the competition, and that individually, she'll be a standout. (She's the youngest girl in this class by several months, and the only one not yet 5). This summer, he wants her to be on the gymnastics team and start competing. As we got talking, he looked at me and smiled, and said that he couldn't promise me an Olympian, but based on what he sees, I definitely have a full ride college scholarship on my hands. Evidently she's one of the best 4 year olds he's ever seen... However, being on the gymnastics team means practicing at the gym two nights a week. That seems like a lot for a 5 year old...
So, wow... I'm thrilled for her. As a parent, there is no greater joy than finding your child's passion and giving them the opportunity to excel. Not only have we found what she truly loves, but she's good at it, and that definitely puts a smile on my face.
So now I'm a little torn. I was going to move her to Chow's Gymnastics this fall, but now I'm rethinking it.... I want her to have the opportunity to spend as much time practicing gymnastics as she wants, but not be burned with the pressure of being on a competitive team. I want it to be FUN for her. I want her to enjoy it then as much then as she did today. I want her to keep that smile on her face and that spring in her step. So, now I need to do a lot of soul searching, and try to do the right thing for my little girl. If only I knew what that was......
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