Leif the Gymnast

Ben is taking a gymnastics class at the community center near our house. I have to bring Leif along, because what else am I going to do with him.  It's during what should be naptime.  The first day, I thought maybe Leif would sleep in the Ergo.

Um, no.

The Evanston rec leader suggested that I sign Leif up (at half price) so that he can also be a student in the class, which would allow him to do his thing (climb on all the equipment, sprint crawl across the mats).  Today was Leif's first official gymnastics class as a student.

He's really good at gymnastics. First of all, he was efficiently, cautiously, yet quickly, navigating a series of "steps" made out of mats. Climbing up is old hat for him. And he quickly swivels his body to back his way down. But, his most impressive stunt of the day was hanging from the uneven bars. Seriously. He had assistance (and was of course only hanging from one at a time), but the gymnastics teacher who was holding him up noted that "with the size of his hands" he could probably hang onto one the smaller bars by himself.

Grandparents, never fear. I did quickly say, "Don't let go of him!" And, the guy reassured me, "Oh, of course not." But he (and Leif, I think) totally wanted to. Every time he put Leif back on the mat, Leif raised his arms, gesturing toward the bars and grunting, "Eh," to be lifted up again.

This is all great and cute -- he was smiling from ear to ear while on the bars, and was clearly so proud of himself.  But, come on! Danger ahead! What do those crazy parents expect, naming their kid after a viking?

But -- what I really wanted to record was not that.  It was that Leif is in his room "napping," while I work in the office.  I did a quick phone call and then heard a soft voice from down the hall sweetly say, "Hi-i?"

Hi, Leify.  I love you and Ben.

Leify's words: Hi, Mama, Dada, Ga (again), Di (this -- okay, I may be stretching a little), Buh-buh-buh (bye, while waving his hand.  Hasn't done that one in a while. Hi has totally taken over. Friendlly kid, really enjoys saying "hi."

Leify, you also like to try to put on clothes (and other things) by pulling them over/behind your head. And you like to talk on the phone -- by holding your hand or any old item up to your ear. So precious, I could eat you -- over and over and over again.

Love,
Mama

Benisms

"I'm too young to put myself to sleep, so I need a grown up to put me to sleep."

Ben catapults himself into Leify's pack-n-play.  Mama says, "Ben, tuck your chin, you're going to break your neck." 

Ben replies, "I didn't break my neck!"