Emma's Gymnastics Story

Feel the Anxiety

Today was the big day. Today was my level one meet! After a lot of classes, it was time we have a meet. I was pretty nervous. I didn't wanna get out of bed. But my mom had to come in early in the morning to wake me up.

"Come on get up Emma!" she called at my door. "It's your meet!"

I groaned and then got up.

"Are you nervous?" she asked.

"Mommy! Of course I am!" I exclaimed.

"Okay, well get your leo on and then come to my room so I can fix your hair." Mom told me and walked back to her room.

I rubbed my eyes and slid open my closet. Then I picked out the shiny dark purple leotard with silver rhinestones and other pretty designs on the front from the hanger. I took my t shirt off and my comfy shorts. Then I slipped on my leo. I brushed my hair so my mom wouldn't have a hard time doing my hair. Then I finally walked out to the hall into my parents' bedroom.

"Mom, do my hair now." I said demandingly.

"At least have manners, sweetheart!" she joked and motioned for me to come to her vanity.

I walked to her vanity and sat down on the white stool. She got elastics and a scrunchie.

"Good! You already brushed your hair so I don't have to take a decade doing it!" Mom said and I laughed.

She pulled my hair into a tight bun and tied it up with a scrunchie.

"Ow! That is tight!" I exclaimed hurt.

"Well it has to be right or else it'll get messed up during the acrobatics you do there!" she said laughing.

"Mommy! It's not acro!" I said and she chuckled.

"Okay, well I have to get dressed. You go eat breakfast." Mom said and went to her closet.

I agreed and went downstairs into the kitchen. I took out a carton of milk from the fridge and a box of cereal from the pantry. You make think that I'm a very responsible and good five year old for only this age, but trust me, I can get wild at times.

I got a bowl out and poured chocolate pebbles and then poured some milk into it. Then I got a glass and filled it with water from the sink. I wish I had a big breakfast of scrambled eggs and bacon and pancakes, but I only have cereal. Oh well!

I took out a placemat and put my bowl and glass there. Then I got myself a spoon and dug into my cereal. By the time, Mommy came down, I was already done eating.

"Go brush your teeth honey," she commanded. "you don't wanna talk to your friends with a stinky breath."

I giggled and rushed upstairs. After brushing my teeth I came back down and Mom called Haley, Josiah, and Dad to come down now. She said we're ready to go to my first meet.

When we got into the car and were driving, it made me very anxious. I was nervous but excited in ways.

"Are you nervous?" Dad asked.

"I am very!" I exclaimed.

Haley said,"It's okay. You're gonna do great!"

"Thanks, Haley!" I said.

"No problem," she said. "I'm just being honest."

"That's very nice of you Haley." Mom said to her.

"Well honesty is the best policy, they say!" she said.

Josiah said,"Never heard of that saying!"

"Well heard it or not, it's true. Just admit it." Mom said to him.

When we got there I took a deep breath and then we walked inside the gym. I went to my coach but my family went to find seats.

First we did warm ups and practiced for the meet. Then it was time for the real thing. For floor I did a handstand. Then I did a cartwheel. After that I did a few jumps. I also did a handstand to forward roll.Then I did the candle stick and did a backwards roll. Then I rolled frontwards and did a couple more things. And floor was done. I saw my score. It was 8.85. I'm not sure whether I should cheer or cry. Is that really good?

But it was now time for beam. I was scared. What if I messed up and fell? Well first we did our conditioning. After that it was time for the real thing! I mounted myself on the beam. I did a few jumps. I did a split leap. Then I did a half turn. I did a short handstand. Then I did that thing where you do a handstand and turn while getting out of the beam. Then I raised my hands up. I got a score of 8.75. What did I do wrong?

Then it was time for vault. We did conditioning as usual then the actual thing. I ran and bounced onto the mat and did a handstand a fell down. Then I got off of the big mat and raised my hands. My score was a 9.0. Wow! That's not bad!

Now it was time for bars. After doing the conditioning, I jumped into the bar. I did a pullover then a kip. And then lots of other skills on the bar. I hopped off of it and raised my arms. My score was 8.95. Well, not bad! A.A was 36.73

After the meet, I went to my parents and Haley and Josiah and they hugged me.

"You did so good, Emma!" Mom said proudly.

"I'm so proud of you!" Dad said.

"Thanks." I said. "I did worst on beam though."

"I think you did pretty good on beam!" Mom replied cheerfully.

"I don't know, Mommy." I said.

"You did good Emma!" Haley told me.

"Thanks Haley!"

We walked out and they handed me a medal. It said CGA Star. I was proud!