this walkin’ thing

Daddy and I have been watching a lot of late-night live coverage of the Olympics in Beijing. And yes, reasonable and conscientious people have decided to boycott these games because of China’s outrageous human rights abuses. Officials haven’t stuck to their promise to allow certain spaces at the Olympics for people to protest, as is customary at the games. They’ve even denied visas to some of our athletes and known protesters. But these are the OLYMPICS. I love them. It jazzes me up like the World Cup does, and it only comes around every four years. Daddy and I feel a part of the international community when we watch, and we feel a surge of American pride when U.S. athletes do well. So, we are watching, but we do not approve of China’s track record. (Who are we to talk anyway…Abu Ghraib?!?!)

That was a long way around to purge my conscience and to explain our thinking behind these new videos of you walking. First, balance check and an eighth of a point deduction:

Then, a near perfect execution on your next floor routine

friendly encounters

You are getting much more bold in the water, lil man. We played in the spray pool Monday afternoon, and you were walking around, sipping the water, splashing down on your bottom and your stomach. It’s nice to see you warming up to this essential natural element. Perhaps swimming lessons next summer?

We also got a visit from Aunt Dixie who always comes bearing gifts for the little people. She brought you a very cool orange squishy car that revs its engine when you push on it. It’s very satisfying for you since you were able to work it easily and almost instinctively from the start. Aunt Diane also sent gifts via Aunt Dixie, and you got a couple of very fun googlie-eyed books that have a button you can push for an accompanying sound while I read to you. You were charmed by the bee noise one book makes, and you try to mimic it each time you push the button.