U.S. Olympic Gymnasts Visit Yokosuka!

A couple months ago the base MWR office put out a message that they would hold a lottery for 40 kids to win spots in a gymnastics clinic with Nastia Luikin, Laurie Hernandez and Desiree Sanchez!! I immediately entered both kids' names into the pot!!  

Three weeks later...I got an email that Mackenzie got a spot!!  We jumped up and down and squealed for a bit!  The next day I got an email for Garytt!!  I jumped up and down....he looked at me with fear in his eyes and said he didn't want to do it.  

What?!

I told him that if he still didn't want to do it in a few days that I would call the office and offer his spot to the next person in line.  Well, a few days later he said, "Mom, I really don't want to compete against Olympic gymnasts because I'm not that good on balance beam yet."  Ooooohhhh..... I see now!  I calmed his fears by letting him know that he wouldn't be competing against them, but would be taking a class from them.  Again... oooooohhhhh ... with that straightened out he was ALL IN!!!

So, the day before the clinic I went to MWR to get two t-shirts and two arm bands for the kids!  

Clinic day and we arrived at the gym to wait in the lobby with 40 other winners and their parents.  When the doors opened just before 5 we all rushed in to the camp!  

After a quick introduction from the three gymnasts they all ran to the center of the gym to start their warm ups.

Lots of running in circles.

Boy in black behind Laurie Hernandez, Mackenzie in red T right next to her.

Next came stretching

Boy made sure he was right up front :)

Kenzie stretching

Garytt with Laurie Hernandez

Next, they all lined up on one side of the mat and worked on kicks 

After the kicks, they all split up into three (not so even) groups.  Mackenzie's first clinic was with Desiree Sanchez on the vaulting blocks.

She also learned how to stick her landings and received a cheering "yay" for her first try.

"Good job!"

Garytt was on the beam with Laurie Hernandez

Next up for the Boy was the vaulting blocks.  This is his favorite part of his gymnastics classes every Friday!  He was a little disappointed that they wouldn't let him run and vault over the blocks.

Learning how to stick the landing....looks more like a chicken dance

Kenzie getting a high five from Laurie Hernandez after her perfect beam work!

What a fun experience!  Mackenzie was so excited to see Laurie Hernandez after we watched her in the Olympics!  The Boy went to bed and declared it was the best day of his life so far!