how it works outside the books, a learning life

 The chore/life.

Do you want to help mom pick spinach?

YEAH! 

 The discovery. 

"Mom, there is something on this leaf..."

 The explorations and following discussion.

Caterpillars, moths, butterflies, cycle of life, consequences of her curiosity/intervention "I feel bad I ruined it...", garden pests, helpful garden insects, and the now what... feed it to a hen. 

just the Beach

 Long Beach, California 2015

results from Region 1 Championships 2015

Wow. Going to Regionals in Long Beach, California was big. Between all the girls competing in Level 7 and Xcel for our Region (No Cal, So Cal, Nevada, Utah, & Arizona) the meet hosted over 2,100 athletes! The largest USAG Regional meet in history. 

The venue was enormous. The girls competed based on age which split our little team into 4 sessions: Kelly, Beach & Toni, Sophie, and last Madie. So this is where I take the time to thank our amazing coaches, their families, our team parents, and our "owner". I know 1000% we are right where we should be. There isn't another group of people I would trust and love so completely as I do all of you guys. GTC ROCKS!  

Okay back to the meet, Beach and Toni ready to do it together!

They competed in Squad D starting on Floor.

Beach got a 9.725 1T Place LINK TO FLOOR

Next was Vault. Beach vaulted a 9.1. It was a good score for her but not good enough to medal. 

Third rotation was Bars. 9.575 2nd Place 

LINK TO BARS

Then just like state their final rotation was Beam. There was Beach's chance for a do-over... 9.425 & 3rd Place. Way to go!!! 

LINK TO BEAM

And when it was all said and done Beach, a kid from Utah, 

Placed 2nd in the All Around!!! 

All of Beach's mates did well too. Toni 37.1 AA, best friend Sophie 37.325 (side bar: Beach got ill in the middle of the night after competing & was unable to see Sophie compete the next morning. She was devastated. We have an appointment with a GI to check in on what might be going on.), Kelly 36.175 AA, and Madie 35.275 AA. 

Nice work Little Giants. Now please enjoy a few shots of the 'wide saluter' getting her well deserved bling.

BUT this one (below) is the best. 

Not only is it of Beach and that wide salute taking 2nd in the All Around... 

but please note the crush of crazy gym moms down in front. 

*this sport makes you crazy*

One last item to take care of: 

Good-bye 2014-2015 Gymnastics Season

...and finish.

the sad horse

Beach came home from art class with this painting the other day.  

She asked me if I wanted to hear the story behind it....

"This horse is sad because he won't look behind him So he can't see all the beauty back there. He is sad because he only looks forward. He doesn't know that sometimes we have to look back at what is behind us to appreciate where we are and how far we have come."

the elements of a good travel meet

Traveling in style with company to share the time and the $$$.

Staying with family, good food, & lots of love.

If you are ever in St George, Utah you have to eat at Bishops Diner!!!! 

On the hammock that is her 

"I didn't just eat a second doughnut" face.

Adventures in Killing Time....shopping and team lucnh.

Meet and compete! 

And we can't forget the late night post-meet dinner with coaches and a few teammates. Closed down the Outback Stake House! First time eating ribs. She loved them! Next on her list is to try lobster after Regionals.

Take in a history lesson on the road home

Cove Fort, Utah

Really, not too much to see here....

Decompress and let loose.

 Sun, water, and "fishing".

 "Does catching a dead one count?"

Learning to drive on a dusty country road.

And finish.