Shawn's quest for gold

As most of you know from previous posts, we live across the street from sweet 16-yr-old Shawn Johnson, US Olympic gymnist. Most of us in the culdesac know one another and enjoy annual block parties and the like. In honor of Shawn's quest for the gold in Beijing, another neighbor rented a humungo television and set it up in his garage so the whole neighborhood could be together on the nights Shawn competes. We've been enjoying the frequent parties and the excitement of watching Shawn on t.v. as she performs in Beijing. It's been especially great that we can put Jack to bed, a sleeping Benj in the wrap, and hang out with adults (and a baby monitor) until late in the evening without worry about kids staying up late. Here we were during the night of the gymnastics all around:




This was a special guest, Sen-Pei (?) who has known Shawn's coach, Liang Chow, since he came to the US from China years ago.

We were all a bit melancholy when the US team got silver, and when Shawn got the silver in the all around since it was so dang close on both accounts. But a silver in the Olympics is a SILVER IN THE OLYMPICS and is amazing. I am so proud of her! Tonight is her last performance, in the balance beam individuals; her last go for gold. Please help us cheer her on to bring home a gold from Beijing!