Fortunately I've been clawing my way back from inactivity. From doing the 30 Day Shred in 2009 to Project 2010k last year, to now doing Dailey Method classes, I'm starting to remember what it feels like to have physical accomplishment.

Meanwhile, my youngest son continues to develop his gymnastics skill exponentially.

During his first meet, he could only do a single circle on the pommel mushroom, whereas the Level 4 routine is to do 3.5 circles. This meant that he had to repeat his one clean circle three times with "fall" deductions between the circles. During his second meet, he did a double circle, then did a circle and a half to complete the 3.5 circle routine. Of course his score went up dramatically. Before yesterday's meet, he was consistently hitting at least two circles, usually able to complete the "bonus" routine of 5.5 circles during practice. His coaches gave him the go-ahead to compete the bonus routine.

As he smiled at me from across the gym and mouthed, "Five and a half!" while writing it in the air, my stomach tightened. I really wanted him to hit the 5.5. Most young Level 4 gymnasts are barely able to do to the regular routine, much less the bonus. My competitive side kicked in big time, especially since another mom at the gym had told me, "They'll never let him compete the 5.5!"

Well, after warming up the 5.5 routine, he had three other events before he competed pommel. Unfortunately, since the meet was "traditional warm-up style" it meant that the gymnasts competed on each event without a subsequent warm-up.

His on-the-pommel-horse routine was gorgeous. His legs went up high and he stuck his landing. But when he went to the mushroom, he slid off after only 2 circles. He then got back on, and completed the 1.5 additional circles for the basic 3.5 routine. (If a gymnast falls before 3.5, they cannot do the bonus 5.5.)

I was disappointed, but I tried not to let it show. After all, my son was smiling. He was having fun. He shook off the fall and was happy to receive a moderately good score (his on-the-horse must have scored high, and then his circles were very clean even though he fell.) Meanwhile, one of his teammates competed the bonus 5.5, but received the same score grade. (His raw score was probably higher, but the quality of his circles was not terrific.)

In a way, not being able to complete the 5.5 circle routine might end up helping him at the next meet since he'll continue to practice and he'll know that even if he falls, it is okay. Or perhaps that's just the advice I need to give myself.

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The overall meet was a success - his team took 1st place! Plus, we won a raffle prize.