Visit to the corn maze

We had a great weekend last week.  We had NOTHING on the calendar.  So on Sunday we took a two-hour drive into the mountains and visited a wonderful corn maze.  We had a great time finding each pit-stop and checking off on our cards.  It was very interesting to see the girls sense of direction--or lack of.

After we found our way through the maze the girls jump and played on the hay bales.  We were a little concerned for both Grace and Sarah because of  their allergies, but all for nothing as they weren't bothered at all!

After the maze we stopped at road side store and bought some wonderful home-grown apples--Arkansas black--that were just delicious!  They were so much better than anything we could ever purchase at the grocery store.  We also bought a great pumpkin for a steal of a price!

We don't get many weekends that we have the luxury of taking a long drive (that doesn't involve getting to a meet or dance performance) and just enjoying our family.  I guess that what's makes the adventure even more enjoyable!

TOPs National Testing

Grace had a wonderful time in Texas at the National Training Camp, otherwise known as the Karolyi  Camp.  She left, with her teammate, her coach and her teammate's mom, on Friday afternoon.  They tested on Saturday and Sunday and did a FANTASTIC job!!!!  Grace did her absolute best she has ever done on her Physical Abilities.  She held her handstand for 60 seconds, went up the rope in 8.6 seconds (that's 12 feet in a pike position!!!), did 8 press-to-handstands and sprinted so fast!  Her skills testing was awesome, even though she had two low scores--floor acro and vault were each a 7.0.

She took great photos of the signatures on the bunks--Alecia Sacramone and Courtney Kupets--were just two of the girls who slept in the same cabin.  Grace signed her name--both first and last--who knows, some little girl, years from now might be so excited to know that GRACE EVANS slept her in her cabin!!!

I know that you are being so patient, 'cuz  you REALLY want to know the outcome. Well, I'll tell you...Grace made B camp!!!!  That means she is not a member of the National TOPs team (that is A camp) but she has  been invited back to train with the National Training Staff!!!  She will return on Dec 5 and stay thru Dec 9th. So, I know you are wondering WHAT is the DIFFERENCE between the two camps??  Well, other than camp A invitees  being named to the National TOPs team, it's the cost.  Camp A is paid for by the USAG and camp B is paid for by the parents :(....

Everyone is SO, SO proud of Grace.  It is incredible what she has accomplished in two years!!  No one could have ever imagined that when she began with one gymnastics class that she would be invited to the National Training Camp!

From all accounts, Grace was not nervous and just enjoyed her experience.  She came home so animated, wanting to share everything!  She loved everything about the camp; the cabins, the Walk of Fame, the food, and the lake.  She didn't miss having her parents with her and for that we are so grateful!

Grace now will continue her training, and begin competing at level 7 in December. She has another year in which to train and try to qualify, once again, for National Testing.  For now, we excitedly wait for December for her return to Texas.

Oh, the highlight of the trip?  Meeting Bela Karolyi!!!  I was on the phone with Grace and she started screaming, "Momma, I gotta go, there's Bela!"   She was able to get her photo taken with him and just cherishes the picture.

Grace's goal?  To have a brick on the Walk of Fame.  Our goal?  To be able to continue to support Grace in this wonderful journey!

We are SO proud of her!

Grace's BIG news

I can't believe I've kept you all in suspense for so long. It wasn't malicious in any way. It's just that I've been so busy! With work, and my new "job" at the gym. Have I told you all about my new position? What? You all want me to get on with Grace's news? You mean you DON'T want to hear about my new job as the scorekeeper at the gym? Oh, you do, but just not right now!?

On to Grace's big news. If you've been following Grace's gymnastics journey you are aware that she is part of the TOPs program. That is the Talent Opportunity Program which identifies athletes with potential and trains and accelerates them to one day, hopefully, be on the National Gymnastics Team.

During each summer the TOPS girls test at the state level and if they qualify they are invited to the National Training Center in Texas, otherwise known as the Karolyi Ranch, to test nationally. Then IF they qualify they are invited back to the Ranch to train for a week with the National Training coaches. They also become members of the National TOPS Team.

About 50% of our gymnasts on the Olympic team have come up through the TOPs program. For instance, Courtney Koupets and Shawn Johnson were both on the National TOPs Team.

What? Grace's news? Oh, I'm getting to that. Now? You want to know it now?

Grace QUALIFIED for the National Testing and will be going to the Karolyi Ranch on Oct 1-3!!! Only 4 girls from Georgia qualified and only 2 from her gym!!!

The testing will consist of the same physical abilities test that she did in the summer but additionally they will test her on skills. She has been busily learning and perfecting those skills for the past month.

Unfortunately, only one parent is able to be a chaperone and I lost the coin toss. So, Grace will go to Texas with her teammate Hannah and Hannah's Mom.

We are beyond excited and proud of our sweet little girl! We know she will do her best and we hope that will be good enough to be invited back as a member of the National TOPs Team!!

My news as the scorekeeper kinda pales in comparison to Grace's news. I'll post more about that later. What did you say? Thank goodness?

Labor day weekend

What a great weekend! After this past month of running around, trying to get back into the swing of a new routine, we really needed this time to sit back and take a breather.

We did lots of relaxing by the pool, the girls made dinner (chicken potpie) and we practiced putting hair up for the "competition curls"!

I'll post more to catch everyone up on the past month events; beginning of school, first gymnastics meet, first dance performance, first cross country meet and some really fantastic news regarding Grace!

Gotta go and enjoy the last of this wonderful, wonderful last weekend of summer!

Camp

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