Tales of the Flowers: Gymnastics USA Olympics 2025

Today is a really big day for Alli and Ian! They've been working all year for today. It's the day of their Gymnastics Olympics!

After all the gymnastics and tumbling training they've done for the past year, today they get to perform their skills in front of an audience! Hundreds of parents and other kids are all here to watch and perform in the Gymnastics USA 2025 Olympics!

Were they nervous? Yes, actually. A little bit. It's one thing to be able to do your skills over and over each week where you don't worry about missing a skill. But when you're doing it in front of people, you want to do your best! And we've certainly got a big turnout to see them today! The entire Michigan family, plus my parents are all here to watch them! That's 16 people! I'm guessing they had the biggest turnout today, and if not that, then certainly the loudest!

Both Alli and Ian seeing the family as they arrived to watch them!

Gymnastics USA is the largest gymnastics gym in Florida, but they've packed the space. There's 3 different times the kids could be going today, and we happened to draw the first slot for both Ian and Alli. That means they'll be performing at the same time and we'll be running around trying to see both of them.

The kids all marched out to the Olympic Theme - Olympic Fanfare (by John Williams), and we listened to the National Anthem being sung. Then it was off to the first events!

We'll start with Ian.

He's been working hard in the Tumbling class moving from Beginner last year up to Intermediate! And his skills have definitely improved!

He was very nervous about his back handspring, having only landed it 2-3 times out of his last 50 attempts (with no spotter). But he landed it and was super happy!

Love the action shots.

Nice work Ian!

For his second event, it's the trampoline. Back when we had a house, he'd spend hours on our trampoline. It's his favorite event.

Back handsprings.

Backflips.

One thing we didn't know last year (that we know now) if you don't see your kid perform, you can ask the coach if they can go again! So even if Alli was doing her routine in the other room, everyone could still come and watch Ian perform his event again! Awesome!

He was super proud of himself.

I didn't get pictures of the third event, but it's in the video.

Afterwards, all the kids get to walk across the podium with their medal.

Proud of you Ian!

Ian - I did that last year. I had to do it again.

Getting praised by all the family that came to see him.

Abby showing off her gymnastics moves.

Never too late!

Getting balloons from Uncle Don and Aunt Amy! Thank you!

Let's go see how Alli is doing in the next room!

She's progressed from Beginner Gymnastics all the way up to Advanced Gymnastics! She loves it! She's super flexible and very strong. She's also very organized, writing down her routines and going through them in bed (when she should be going to sleep!).

Her first event was the springboard, which I missed getting pictures of, but it'll be in the final video.

Next it was the uneven bars. I'm super impressed with her strength.

And spinning around the bar is an awesome skill.

Balance Beam is her nemesis. She's working on getting more comfortable on it.

But she's always pointing her hands and walking like a gymnast.

Mounting the beam without help.

Cartwheels.

And a good dismount!

Her last event was the floor where she's doing really well with her back handsprings, barely needing a spotter.

A compilation video of all her events.

Proud of you girl!

Walking across the podium and standing atop it with her medal.

It was crowded up front (but I was quick and got there). She's got a big cheering section from the back, including Ian who finished before her.

Along with the medal, each kid got a red white and blue lollipop and sunglasses.

Being congratulated by her cousins.

Love you!

Awesome job today kids! Everyone is super proud of you!

Getting a photo with everyone who came to see them today! Look at that turnout! They were definitely feeling the love from their family.

And then getting pictures with all the family.

Near the gym is a great BBQ place that we find ourselves at fairly often called 4Rivers Smokehouse. Don and Amy went over just a little early to let them know we'd be bringing over a big group of 18 people. It was 11:30 and before the big lunch rush, so they helped us push a few tables together. Luckily all 18 people gave Don their order ahead of time, so he was able to get everything ordered with no issues.