A Crazy/Fun/Learning Weekend thanks to gymnastics. . .

In case you haven't noticed, gymnatics has turned into our family's sport of choice. People ask me if I was a gymnast. . . hence the commitment?  The answer: no.  I just put the kids into a little class when they were three because I thought it was an okay thing for a boy and girl to do together (sorry to all of those out there who are bowing their head in shame that I wouldn't consider dance. . . I was a dancer and I LOVED my guy partners so nothing against male dancers. . . but that is a topic for another post, another day). I also would like to add we have put BOTH children in soccer and T-ball as well.  Anyway, the kids loved it-- and what's not to love: jumping on a tramp, flipping on mats, sommersaults, and obstacle courses, a kid's dream!

Now fast forward 3 1/2 years (seriously, are my kids that old?) and we are still going strong at the gym.  And I mean strong (well, for 6 year-olds).  Both kids work out with their teams 9 hours a week. Are there drawbacks to having them gone in the evenings so frequently? For sure. We are trying to be diligent family diners on the days the kids aren't at gym, and we're committed to Family Home Evening once a week.  For now, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, so we are sticking with it until that changes.  I know for sure this schedule isn't for everyone, but it is good for us, for now.

So, on to our weekend: Davis's first big time competition in Las Vegas.  On Thursday morning the family loaded into the car and we LEFT at 9:30 A.M.  I am very impressed with this.  It usually takes us much longer to pack the family for a vacay.  The drive to Las Vegas went really quickly, and all the kids were well behaved-whew, an unexpected delight!  We pulled into Las Vegas around 2:30 and booked it to the Sports Arena to watch a session of the Elite level gymnasts compete in their preliminaries.  THIS WAS AWESOME!!  I am totally amazed that bodies can do that.  We spotted a few Olympians (Jonathan Horton and Kevin Tan) and up-and-coming Olympians on the competition floor. . . . Did the kids appreciate that?  No.  Not at all.  They just wanted to go to the hotel so they could swim.  Kids will be kids, no matter the emphatic cajoling from their parents to appreciate what is going on right in front of them.  Sigh. Sigh. Sigh.  Did I mention the bodies on these dudes.  No?  Two words: eye candy. Ahhhhh.

We made it home early, with swimming for all, and an early bedtime.  We totally skipped the Strip this night. Davis had to be at the arena at an early 7:30.  All the kids got up at 6:00 A.M. so that wasn't a problem. . . for anyone except me. None of the kids seem to have picked up my propensity to sleep in.  Davis hit the floor with his coaches, and it was apparent that he was totally in awe of the arena.  His teammates pointed to the big-screem T.V. and said, "We are on T.V."  There were kids from all over: Texas, California, Tennessee, Michigan. Colorado. . . . it was clear that this wasn't going to be some home-town meet that every member of the team would sweep.

On to competition.  This is where I learned all about myself.  Rings was up first.  Davis was shaky and faltered a bit on his routine--s omething I hadn't seen him do much in practice or the other Utah meets.  Next up: vault.  He did a great run and then: after he landed he leaned over and touched the ground (well, that's what I saw, but I guess he lost his balance).  A fall is a full point off.  A wave of emotion went over me.  First, I was sad.  Then mad.  From this point on out, my stomach was churning, and I was totally nervous for my guy.  Luckily he performed solid High Bar and Parrallel Bar routines.  Did I mention youngest four boys on the team were all looking a bit shaky??  As Davis's best friend performed his P-bar routine he had trouble with his dismount. . . .and lost it- his mom says she's never seen him cry and- he did after that.  This was outward proof to the pressure these guys were feeling. Next, they got stuck for 25 minutes in a backed up line for floor.  The boys went nuts. The were goofing around and lost focus.  Davis and best buddy were wrestling on the side and suddenly it was his turn to hit the floor.  Davis quickly began and, what I atribute to lack of focus showed as he rushed the routine and skipped a part! Seriously, he practices this routine multiple times a week!  I was totally surprised at this.  Then Davis was up on horse.  It was a disaster-he fell again.

When all was said and done, Davis's overall score was 13th of 25 guys in his age group.  Not a shame.  But, definitely not the best.  He surprised us and got 3rd place on High Bar.  I was so grateful he got one medal because 4 other members of his team were pulling down plenty, and everyone except he and his buddy got an all-around trophy in the top 7 for their age group.  What surprised me was how intense I felt.  I think I totally took it more seriously than he did.  After the meet, he pouted a bit about not getting a trophy. . . . and said he was the worst on the team.  That made me sad.  As a mom, I wondered if I was crazy to put my little 6-year-old guy out there like that??  So, I tried to emphasize the fact that he had gotten one medal and it meant a whole lot more than the several 'participation' trophies he had recieved in soccer.  I would be lying to say that was the end of that for me.  I think I've been thinking a lot more about it than he has. . . .after the meet he downed 6 peices of pizza with a big grin.  He's only mentioned the competition once since then, and when I dropped him off at practice yesterday, everything was normal.  Wow.  It is awfully hard to be a mom and see your kid 'fail.'  (and yes, I know he didn't fail, but you know what I mean. . . .I am trying to remind myself that in life you have to learn to deal with disappointment, so hopefully we can turn this experience into something productive).

So that's that.  On to funner things:  After Davis's session we watched the Elite guys practice sans shirts. Another "Oh yeah," from me.. . . .  We went to our friends' hotel for more swimming for the kids.  Our f riends scored big time and got us half-price tickets to a show at the Wynn called, "Le Reve."  We thought the show started at 7:30, but when we showed up, we sadly found out that the show actually started at 7:00.  We had a little discussion with the kids and told them if they promised not to complain about being tired, we could go to the 9:30 show.  So we did.  For two hours we walked the north end of the strip. I have never laughed so hard watched the boys experience the 'volcanic eruption' at The Mirage.  They were screaming, "Fire! Fire! Fire!"  I thought I was going to pee my pants because we were the only nutsos that had children out, so all the other adults were pointing and laughing at their joy and delight.  We spent a good 20 minutes looking at an aquarium inside the hotel, tried our best to avoid casinos (virtually impossible), and sight-saw the beautiful architechture of the hotels while trying not to be disgusted at the total fakeness and inappropriate extravagance that Vegas is.

Le Reve was AMAZING.   I would recommend it to anyone- even at the steep price for tickets.  It was the highlight of my trip (although the shirtless gymnasts rank a close second).  When the twins and I got back to the hotel where D had volunteered to stay with the smallies, it was 12:00 A.M., but we were so excited and pumped we stayed up almost another hour telling D about the show and talking about the day.

Saturday, we lazily headed to St. George after a disappointed visit to H&M (seriously, that store has gotten more expensive and more tacky than I remembered: or have I just gotten older?).  We hung out with D's sister and slept at his Dads.  Sunday we went to church with his Dad and then headed home to Salt Lake.  Whew.  What fun.  Glad it's over.  Until next year, I guess.