Splig is a gymnast. In fact, since he officially joined the team just a few months ago, his progress has been remarkable. He can do many things that I can no longer do; and can do some things that I was never able to do. Sometimes while I watch him and his teammates, I forget that they are only first-graders. Of course when they come off the floor, I see their gap-toothed smiles, or I'll witness them burst into tears at times because they are frustrated. Their "little kid" personalities come out, but often while performing their skills, they look so mature.
Splig has no fear.
Of course, this means that I have tons of fear.
He's already proved himself to be a dare-devil, what with chipping a tooth at age 2 that was subsequently removed, and then knocking the other one such that it died. He's scraped up his knees plenty, and then slit open his chin last winter while climbing on his dresser. He's indeed a natural "gymnast," although I've tried (mainly in vain) to restrict the performance of gymnastics moves to the gym.
When I brought the boys to swimming lessons, the Cat was interested in watching others' strokes. Splig instead caught sight of the divers. He's eager to turn seven, at which point he can take diving lessons. He is especially looking forward to going off the high dive. (Meanwhile, the Cat is reluctant to dive, and while he has the stroke skill necessary to progress to the next level, still requires some diving skill.)
Well, we went to the circus on Wednesday. Sure, the people walking across fire impressed the Cat, and the motorcycles in a sphere made both boys laugh. Splig loved the sparkles on the costumes, and they both appreciated the tigers. But then, a high-wire act came on and Splig sighed, "Oh, now that is sooooo coooool. I want to do that!"
Of course he does.
His father is deathly afraid of heights, but Splig was on the edge of his seat, enormous grin on his face.
Once that act was over, Splig relaxed back into his chair. He appreciated the next few acts, especially when they involved gymnastics (like off a teeter-totter, through hoops, or on a trampoline) but he didn't audibly gasp again until the trapeze act.
"Oh, yeeeeeeah, I'm totally going to join the circus!"
He loved the trapeze act, although scoffed when a duo failed to complete a quadruple somersault. I'm not sure whether the catcher had a problem or the flyer did, but they came super close to successfully completing the trick. But Splig would have none of it. "They didn't do it." he insisted. Perfectionist!
Yes, Splig loves gymnastics. He likes completing tricks on the ground, but his face glows when he goes on the high bar or the rings. He gives a thumbs-up each time he climbs the rope to the top of the gym. I have no doubt that he will want to dive, especially from the high dive. And if someone gives him an opportunity to swing on a trapeze or walk across a high-wire, I bet he'll do it. (Will he perform parkour? I wouldn't be surprised.)
Yikes. Hold me.
Comments (1)
Awesome! I could totally see Splig joining the circus! Pufferfish is like that too... she'll jump from anywhere. I wish I was that brave!
Posted by Nicki | August 13, 2010 8:07 PM
Posted on August 13, 2010 20:07