I'm back.....

Yes, I blog. I haven't in ages, and I don't really have a good excuse for not blogging other than, life has gotten in the way. So much has gone on in the last month, that I'll never get caught up, so I probably won't even try. After not sitting down and making time to blog, it got easier not to keep it up. As I write this, I'm downloading several hundred pictures, which I will edit and upload soon.... Hopefully in the next couple of days....

A couple of things.... Since November is National Blogging Month, I promise to update at least daily! I'm sure you'll get bored to death of me, but hey... since I haven't blogged in over a month, it's all good! ;-)

One little Katherine story that she'll always remember and I never want to forget....

Chow's has a different theory of coaching gymnastics than every other gym that I know of. Instead of teaching only skills, the strength and conditioning that the girls are required to do is mind blowing. Seriously Katherine has arms and abs that most people would pay big bucks for. Seriously, she has little muscular arms and 4 pack abs that would blow you away. There isn't an ounce of fat on her, yet she's not scrawny ... the girl is super strong!

In her new class, the girls have been learning how to do a front hip circle, but most of them had been having a lot of trouble. From what I understand, it takes quite a bit of strength and a "feel" for the skill. At Chow's the girls don't practice this, or any other skill, for hours. Rather, they do a mix of skills and conditioning. The theory is that when they are strong enough, the skills will come..... and if they are strong they won't get hurt.... The focus at Chow's is definitely strength and flexibility -- not "landing a trick".

Last Thursday, October 22 was a big day for my little princess. She's been trying to do a front hip circle for a month or so, and getting very close, but just not quite "there" yet. Her coach put her on the bar and spotted her 3 or 4 times and then sent her off to practice it on her own. About this time, Chow comes walking over, stops, and watches Katherine. (In case you're wondering, NO... Chow does not coach the little girls. He only coaches level 7 and above which Katherine is A LONG way from). It's a huge deal when Chow notices you. Seriously, HUGE. It's like being anointed by the master of all gymnastics.

So at this point, Katherine is on the bar and misses her front hip circle. She can get around to about her chest, but just not all the way back around the bar. I was sitting next to my friend Danielle (who also has a daughter in the same class) and said, "UUUUGH, if Katherine could just land it once on her own and got the feel, I know she'd never miss". She was soooo close, but just not landing it....

So anyway, Chow comes walking over and stands off to the side of the bars and watches Katherine, and Katherine only.... For some reason, she chose this moment to dig deep and do what she'd never done before.... she landed her front hip circle and it was *beautiful*.... legs glued together, toes pointed, arms strong and straight. I think there was a small part of her that was shocked too! She immediately yelled at her coach, "Karen!! I did it!! I landed my front hip circle"!!

Through all this, there was Chow -- screaming, cheering, jumping, clapping, and beaming with pride. Katherine said he yelled something, but she couldn't understand him LOL!! But it was a moment. It was her moment. It was her moment to shine with her coach cheering, all her team mates clapping, and Chow watching. It was one of those fairytale moments in her gymnastics career that she'll always remember. It was sweet!!

To celebrate her accomplishment, we had a girls day -- lunch, shopping and a manicure. It was so wonderful to just spend the day with her -- no dad, no brothers. We had a great conversation and loved hanging out together. It was in those hours that I truly realized what having a daughter is ... and how my life would not be complete without her. She is amazing and I'm so blessed that she's mine.

On the way home, she asked if we could do the same thing when she landed her kip -- another really hard bars skill, and of course, I told her yes. Heck, if she'd only ask, I'd take her for landing her cartwheel! LOL. (Oh, she landed 8 cartwheels in a row on the high beam yesterday)! Woot-Woot!!