Our little gymnast

 This first year of competitive gymnastics was a huge learning curve for both Bella and I!  These are just a few of the things that we learned this year...

1) A gymnast's hair is VERY important!  (Who knew???)

2) Whenever possible...get your awesome friend to do your child's hair!

3) Since said awesome friend is not always available, figure out how to do 1 hairstyle yourself!  (I'm pretty proud of this because I am far from that mom who does really cute hair on her girls!)

4) Bringing my smaller kids to a VERY long meet is NEVER a good idea!!!

(I don't even know why I'm smiling in this picture!  I'm pretty sure this was the last meet that Ez and Cali attended!  It was babysitting city after that!

5) Bringing other family members IS a good idea and cheering for my little girl never gets old!

 

6) Gymnastics has been a great way to increase Bella's confidence, teach discipline and work ethic, and a fun way for her to meet positive, supportive friends.  

7) Watching her on the beam is the most stressful event for me!

8) Bella is "tight".  It took me all season to figure out what that meant.

 

9) An iphone just can't catch action shots!  Thanks Kelli for the awesome pics!

 

10) Vault was the hardest event for Bella to "get" but once she did...she really "got" it!

11) The bars are Bella's favorite event.  

12) Wow!  My little girl is strong!  

 

13) Saluting the judges is important.

 

14) Annoying floor routine music can really get stuck in your head!

15) Being the smallest person on your team means you are always at the front of the line.  

16) There is a lot of "down time" waiting for your turn to compete.  

17) Going out on a Mom/Daughter date for frozen yogurt after each meet is a fun, new tradition we have together now. 

18) Little Miss Bella is really quite good at this sport!  Since this was her first year, we had no idea what to expect and it was fun to cheer Bella all the way to 2nd place overall at STATE for her age and level.  WAY TO GO, BELLA!!!

 

19) But even though she is good, as soon as this gets too competitive for her and it isn't FUN anymore, that is when we will quit.  

20) And after many, many hours on bleachers, one of the most important things I learned too late in the season is that portable, supportive bleacher seats are a necessity!

I'm so proud of you, my Bella Joy!  I loved watching you grow stronger, not only physically but emotionally, too.  I enjoyed seeing your positive attitude blossom this year...you truly are a STAR in my eyes!