||Simply Ivy and Always Arizona: My Gymnastics Practice

I glanced at the clock, waiting for time to pass. The social sciences teacher just kept talking and talking! Finally, the bell rang. Freedom! As quickly as I could, I gathered up my books and rushed over to my locker. I dumped my books inside and pulled out a navy blue leotard. It was time for gymnastics practice!

I was the first to arrive, but was quickly joined by Marie and Kylie. After jogging around the spring floor a few times, we slid into our splits. As you can see, Marie is a lefty.

As we transitioned into our straddles (which Marie hates), I whispered to Marie. "You forgot to put your hair in a ponytail." Her hand shot up to her hair, and a grumpy look crossed her face. "Darn!" She replied.
"Nice leo," I smiled over at Kylie, who did not need her hair in a pony. Mine is too short and slippery!!

"Alright," Coach said, "today, you'll be working on bars and beam. Kylie, I need you to work on your kips. Ivy, you work on your cast handstands and flyaways. Stick those landings! Marie, you need to improve those cartwheels on the beam."
"Yes coach!" We all cried out in unison.

First, I helped Kylie with her kip. She got the gliding part with proper form, but has trouble with the final part. She finally got the motion of it, with me spotting her. Once Coach came around, I hopped up on the beam. I love the beam! It's my favorite event in meets.

I slid into my splits on the beam, and practiced my mount, and a few dance elements. I didn't wobble once, which pleased me immensely.

When it was my turn to go on the bars, I started off with a kip.

I ended in front support. I did a few small casts before...

...casting up into a nice straight handstand! Wow! I'd never done that before. So awesomely cool! "Nice job, Ivy!" Coach praised. The praise distracted me for a moment, and I slipped my hold. "Whoops," I said under my breath.

I casted into a handstand (that was not as good as the first, but still a good one) so I could do a few giants. I flew around the bar before letting go. I stiffened up into the proper form.

Flipping through the air felt so nice! It was almost time for the landing. I had never stuck this landing before. I so wanted to please the Coach today!

With a satisfying thud, I hit the floor. I did it! I stuck my flyaway!! I jumped up and down with Marie, celebrating. She was very pleased as well: she had just done a proper cartwheel on beam!