A Jumping We Will Go

I've found a new way to exhaust my son and allow him to realize that yes, he still does need to nap: the trampolines at the frites on the Corniche. This is probably the most gorgeous site where a trampoline business has ever been built: right next to a small cliff overlooking the ocean with waves crashing and all. Kids from all over Dakar come to the frites (since the trampolines are right next to these huge columns that everyone popularly refers to as the french fries) to enjoy the eight trampolines, Gusi included.

On Sunday we took him down there before our lunch downtown. It was a busy day with lots of kids waiting in line. He jumped for 15 minutes at a whopping 500CFA (about $1.20) with his father on the sideline. He didn't want to go up alone so his papa went up with him. Once Gusi got the hang of it though, and saw that the other kids were going solo, he managed quite well on his own. The problem was that the 15 minutes went by fast and there was another herd of kids waiting in the wings. Gusi sat out, unhappily, but rejoiced once their 15 minutes were up and he was back on the trampolines again. He was so red from the heat and sun. This little tomato among all these Senegalese children. Note to self: sunblock is necessary when at the trampolines.

Today we went with our French friend and her two little girls. The girls are older than Gusi and their French is obviously better, but he understood the game they were playing on the trampolines. We were the only ones there today, two moms and three kids, so the kids jumped for 30 minutes uninterrupted. The two little girls (3 and 7) would jump from one trampoline to the next (there's a pad about two feet wide that separates each trampoline but the 7 year old was able to clear it) and were calling to Gusi to do the same. He is too little to do that, but he would stop, walk across the pad and keep jumping. He loved it and would call out to the girls as he would move to the next trampoline. My friend and I just smiled as we watched the kids play.

It was a delightful afternoon by the seaside. Gusi napped really well both times so I think we'll have to make a habit out of going there.

Two Minutes

He really is a little sponge. This morning Gusi woke up early--5am early. (I now realize he probably woke up so early due to the sopping wet diaper we found him in.) Papi brought him to our bed, changed his diaper and we all went back to sleep. At 6:40am Gusi woke us up with kisses and proudly told us he had slept all night in his crib. Uh-huh, so why are you in our bed?

Then he turned to his father and said: Papi, Gusi is hungry, let's go eat.

Papi: Gusi, ask Mami to give you breakfast.

Gusi: Mami, Gusi is hungry, come eat with Gusi.

Me: Two minutes, give me two minutes.

Gusi (turning to Papi): Papi come with Gusi, Mami needs two minutes.

Big smile on my part.

Then this afternoon after he refused to nap in his crib, but slept like a log in our bed, I went in to wake him up. I woke him up with a shower of kisses to which he would smile while still keeping his eyes closed.

I finally said: Gusi, wake up, let's go play.

Gusi: Mami, two minutes, just give me two minutes.

I couldn't help but smile.

My Pending Second Annual Review

I realize that I am late on writing up my annual review this year. It's been two years now that I've been at this mom thing. Considering my son hasn't bitten anyone's ear and drawn blood nor repeatedly beaten anyone over the head with a wooden toy (yes, one of the boys in our play group has done this and more, much to the horror of all around), I'd say he's doing pretty good. I'll have to write something more detailed soon.

I Should Be Dancing

Ever since we went to our friend's house on Holy Saturday for a typical Senegalese dinner and bon voyage (for their family returning to the US after their holidays) party, Gusi has been inspired to break dance. See, at Tina's house she had asked for 3 or 4 musicians to come play to bid her in-laws farewell. Instead she got 10 musicians, including some Guinean calabash playing-break dancers. Gusi loved it. Now when he asks us to put on some music he gets down on the ground and starts to tumble or log-roll around. It's quite cute. I think we'll be signing him up for gym classes in the US this summer.