I never did calisthenics but did do dancing for a few years and also marching. My poor mother had to make dozens of costumes suitable for classical, jazz, tap etc etc performances including fairy, itsy bitsy teeny weeny polka dot bikini (one of the easier ones), a Carmen Miranda inspired fruit embellished number with individually sequinned fruits, a cat, a lion, a sheep and most memorably a 3 tier wedding cake. Yes there is photographic evidence of me dressed as a cake. Marching was less heavy on the weird costumes but your rendition of counting brought back memories. The other thing I really remember were the short breaks where I learned that weetbix could be a non breakfast food if smeared with vegemite or jam. It was the de rigeur snack of marching girls. I think we were the Lorikeets or Parakeet or something...