The Big Show (Part II)

Before we get to the actual performance, I do want to say that once I was in the gym with the girls and saw how organized it was and how the coach was actually watching all of the preschool girls, I felt very comfortable with their set-up. Next year, assuming no potty issues, I won't need to escort them in. One of the coaches did tell me that my girls were the youngest ones there. They were certainly the smallest, as you will soon see.

I also want to add that I was extremely impressed with how the coaches were able to tell the girls apart. Once the girls were seated, Miss C said, "Okay, let me figure out who you are. Let me see your eyes." She started with Emily. She got them all right as did the other coach. That means a lot to me because they were treating the girls as individuals, as they should.

Because we chose to sit directly behind the girls, we were on the sidelines, which really didn't bother me. The coaches drew a colored shape on each girls' foot and when it came time to begin, they ran out on the mat and found the matching shape, which indicated where they should stand. I think that they placed the better performers in the front row and that's where Allie was! Em was in the middle row and Anna was in the third row.

For the first few seconds of the show, I was laughing because it was just adorable beyond words and then I started crying at the same time. The song they were peforming to was that Somewhere over the Rainbow song that makes you want to cry even when you have nothing to cry about. But I did have something to cry about. I had three little miracles out there. There was Anna, who was showing the world that she wasn't going to let spina bifida stop her. Four years ago, we didn't know if Anna would be able to walk on her own and here she is today, performing in a gymnastics show.

Allie

Em (with Anna running in the background)

The girls were fantastic. Anna still has trouble doing somersaults but she gave it her best. I was so proud of all three of them. And Allie was hysterical. She is such a little entertainer. They were in awe of the older girls' performances and when we arrived home, Allie started bouncing around the house, trying to imitate the "big girls."

I am so happy that the girls enjoy doing something. I'm not a gymnast. We picked gymnastics because many of our friends and family had good things to say about that particular gym. I personally don't believe in overscheduling my kids but I think outside activities are important. After the show, we returned home so that the girls could change and then we brought them to Friendly's for dinner as a special reward. That's the only reward they have received this year related to gymnastics.

I told you my kids are tiny.

Allie (with Anna running up to the podium)

This is my best shot of Anna. :( She was trying to climb down instead of raising her arms. (Allie and Em are also in the picture.)

Em (with Anna looking at her medal.)

I had an interesting conversation with Anna and Emily yesterday. I was asking them about the show and they started to do their performance. Anna was telling me the order of the steps and moves. It struck me that she knew what she was supposed to do but her little body couldn't keep up with the pace. But she tried and that's all that matters in my book.

I'm not sure how many more years Anna will be able to participate in gymnastics. Definitely next year and maybe the year after that (they will be in the kindergarten class then.) After the kindergarten class, I believe the gym assigns you to a level based on your abilities. It's anyone's guess as to what will happen but I'll support Anna in whatever she wants to do.