Flipping for Joy

We interrupt this mostly Christmas post related month to bring you Ethan's gymnastics meet.
This is his second meet, but last June he was in the younger children program (this year he's in the "big gym") and so it was different. This was run like a real meet. The children all did such a great job and the organization was amazing. We had a great time!! It's going into my December Daily for the 12th.
Ethan's first event was the vault. Here he was running for to jump. He got right up there both times!! Next was my personal favorite, the parallel bars. I was impressed by how much Ethan's strength has improved. It also made me smile remembering Max on those bars when he was in gymnastics in CT. Anyone else remember that one?

Beam was his best event score wise. They were scored on each event and were given a corresponding colored ribbon reflecting that score. It was kept totally positive and age appropriate. The kids weren't competing against each other - there wasn't really a "winner" but were competing with themselves to do their personal best. Love it. I was really proud of Ethan that this was his top event. Balance and strength continue to be something he has to work on and for him to do so well on this event.... wow.
Floor routines were adorable! Here is the beginning of Ethan's bridge.

Awards ceremony! You can see Ethan's four ribbons and he got a trophy engraved with his name. He was one happy gymnast!!!!!

One thing I just have to add so I remember... Everyone (spectators around us) kept commenting about Ethan. He was just brimming with joy for the whole meet. When it was his turn he would be smiling and waving and just jumping with happiness until they said - prepare (which is what they said to signal their turn) and then he would get into the ready position and look very seriously at the judge. Then all smiles - whether he did great or bobbled or whatever. Just positive happiness. After each event he would say to his teacher (you can see her in the bars and beam pictures) something along the lines of "wow did you see my..." or "that was fun" or "whoooooo". He high fived, he waved, he smiled the biggest smiles that he made those around him smile (and chuckle) too. I think that is what I am most proud of (and I am proud of a lot) in this meet. His positive, happy, can-do attitude. He really was flipping for joy!!!