Going for the gold

Last Saturday, Amalia was promoted, in a Gold Medal Graduation Ceremony, to the next level in her gymnastics program.

 First, the kids got a presentation from an actual Olympian. Karen Kurreck. She used to be a gymnast, but then switched to cycling at age 30. She competed in cycling in the 2000 Olympics. Above she is holding up her World Champion cycling jersey.

Before the medal ceremony, each of the girls had to perform their routines in four events. Clearly Amalia is very nervous. 

 She was first up on the balance beam, so I wasn't ready with the video yet. 

But I was ready for the floor routine.

And the "vault."

Finally, the bars. 

 Getting her medal from an actual Olympian. Pretty cool.  

Posing on the podium. 

 All of the graduates. 

And their coaches. 

Were it not for the fact that Nadia Comaneci was tall at 5'4", Mary Lou Retton was only 4'9", and Olga Korbut, 5'0", I'd totally say that Amalia has a future in gymnastics. However, given her genes, and the sport's tragic prejudice against tall girls, I'd say Amalia is enjoying the heck out of gymnastics right now and will likely find another love (use for her height and coordination) down the road. 

A very literal bridging ceremony

When I was a Girl Scout, you started as a Brownie. But now, girls start as Daisies and, after two years, have a Bridging Ceremony to become Brownies. Amalia's troop had their ceremony last weekend.

The Daisy. 

She just finished walking across the bridge. 

Dons her new Brownie vest. 

Recites the Girl Scout Promise. 

Smiles with her troop leaders. 

The official certificate. 

The whole (now) Brownie troop, with bridge in the background. Cue "Sunrise, Sunset."

The ceremonial cake made by a mom with much more creativity and patience than I. (It took her 8 hours!) 

Mama Bear

Amalia's first grade class had a "reader's theater" performance during the last week of school. Amalia's group did Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Here, Amalia seems to be giving last-minute direction to a fellow actress. 

 She was Mama Bear.And made her own ear props. 

It's hard to hold onto your ears and your script at the same time. But she was a fantastic Mama Bear nonetheless.