We just enrolled our daughter in something called "Parizi Speed School". It's purpose is to make your child a better faster stronger athlete. Our little gym gal is having issues with getting enough speed to get over the vault so it just seems like the natural thing to do. Well last night was her evaluation to determine where she should be placed. During her evaluation she was asked to do as many pull ups as she could and my little 7 year old busted out 10 like it was nothing. Everybody in the gym stopped what they were doing and gave her a standing Ovation including former Oriole pitcher John Parrish. He came over and said "wow that girl is an athlete" Its funny to watch non-gymnast athletes gawk over how in shape our gym kids are. It kind of reminds me of those t-shirts that says "If gymnastics were easy it would be called football". These girls never cease to amaze me!

Dennis
gymdad.blogspot.com

Make It Or Break It

Season 2 of ABC Family's "Make It Or Break It" debut's on January 3rd. If your DD (Dear Darling- a term I recently learned) is a gymnast, make sure to set the DVR's TIVO's or VCR's if your stuck in the last decade. My wife and I were a bit leery after the content of last season revolved around the star gymnast on the US National team losing her virginity. However, the good out weighed the bad and my 7 year old was hooked. Last season we had Candace Cameron (Full House) on our radio show to promote the ABC Family series. This year Alya Kell who plays Payson Keeler will join us on January 11th. Look for the audio to be posted on this blog shortly after. Also click the ABC Family link on the right to get more details on Season 2.

Blizzard of 09'

Well The Blizzard of 09 didn't affect our meet this weekend. We moved one session from Sat. to Sun. These things really never seem to get cancelled. I don't think a "State of Emergency" would stop a gymnastics meet from going down. My favorite line from a parent was "If I get into a car accident, I'm holding the gym and the judges responsible". Hey buddy here's some advise, if you don't feel the roads are fit to drive, then don't come! There was one very awkward moment of drama when a coach on a cell phone stepped into the vault runway while a girl was set to vault. Her dad stood up and started screaming at the coach. The place got so quiet you could here a pin drop! Ah you gotta love gym meets around the holidays.

Christmas on The Chesapeke

well, gymnastics meet #1 is over and done! Congrats to out girls for giving their all and competing tough against many gyms who are already at the END of their season. i must say, the judges were tough on this one. Sometimes I wish I could get inside their heads and know what the heck they're thinking. Over all the Baltimore meet was fun. I love that city since I am a diehard Orioles fan. Next up, a home meet that our girls are not competing in. Now take a guess what gym dad/radio guy would be asked to do at home meets? You guessed it, I am in charge of Emceeing and running the floor music. Seems kinda stereotypical huh? Oh he's a radio man, make him talk into a mic and play music! I don't mind though, except for the fact that the younger girls use the same music, so I have to hear it over and over all day!
But i digress, The season is officially under way and travel plans are already being made for Flipfest in Knoxville Tn. our next big road trip and just a few short weeks away! Weeeeeeeeee this is fun!

A subtle reminder

This morning on the radio show we interviewed Tom Kenny (The Voice of Sponge Bob Square Pants) He was a freaking hoot! He did a shout out to my kids and you would've thought that daddy just won a lifetime pass to Disney World. It was an incredible reminder that my daughter isn't first and foremost a gymnast. She is a 7 year old little girl. How many times do we get caught up in the harsh reality that our kids eat, sleep and breathe gymnastics? Take the time everyday to let them be kids.
And then and only then, stick it!

A Whole New World

Yes I just quoted Peabo Bryson. Listen, I'm a red blooded American Male who loves sports that involve balls as much as the next guy. However getting a taste of gymnastics has some weird effect on me. I can't explain it. It sucks you in like a Dyson vacuum cleaner. It consumes me almost as much as my fantasy football league. I find myself laying awake at night thinking "you know if she had just stayed on the beam last week she would have scored a 9.0" or "man I hope she hits that kip next week"
Can anybody explain to me another sport that has this effect on parents. I don't recall my parents analyzing and breaking down my play at shortstop during the little league game. Some would say it's a sickness, but only other gym dads and moms truly get it! Am I right? It's like an underground seen that can't be explained to other parents. That's why God made forums like www.chalkbucket.com
AND THIS BLOG!!!! Share it with our secret society! Pics and audio from a Shawn Johnson interview I did this year coming soon :)
(The pic above is of Alicia Sacramone when she visited our gym)
Now go Stick It

Why NOW???

We all know that the holiday season is an endless chaos, filled with rushing here and scurrying there. So who was the rocket scientist that decided gymnastics meet season in the North East would begin 3 weeks before Christmas? Baltimore this weekend and a home meet next weekend!?!? You're killing me here. I barely have enough time fill out Christmas cards in between the practices and team photos. But alas it is the joy that fills our daughter's hearts and the team camaraderie that makes us push aside the holiday party we're going to miss and who really needs outside decorations this year? After all Christmas is spending time with friends and family and what better way to be close to those we love, than by cramming into bleachers with the parents we see more than our own? Good luck in Baltimore this weekend girls. bring home the gold!

Another season...pass the tums

It's that time again. Another gymnastics season is here! As much as it pains me to say this, I can't wait. Why do we gymnastics parents enjoy the pain so much. Yes it's a beautiful thing to see our daughters in all of their glory, doing the one thing they love more than anything. But while they compete with nerves of steel and an eerie calmness, we sit in the bleachers with an unsettling pain in our gut. We secretly wish for the other girls to have a misfortunate fall or stumble on the beam. We jot down scores quicker than a squirrel on caffiene. And then we add those scores and re-add them and then we add them one more time just to make sure she really had a 35.15 and how does her score compare to the rest of the girls?? Suddenly we become just a little mental. Yes, here we go again! Chalk up folks. It's meet season. December 12th it's off to beautiful downtown Baltimore. Home of The Orioles, crabcakes, Ace of Cakes, gold medalist Michael Phelps and maybe...just maybe some of that Olypmic magic will rub off!