Rudy at play is similar to Rudy at rest.

Rudy's Gymboree demeanor is a lesson in quiet individualism. She is a model for anyone who wants to truly:

1. live in the moment,

2. admire others' achievements as much as her own, and

3. find genuine happiness in little things.

This morning, after slowly and steadily climbing three padded steps, Rudy, completely content, paused on a brightly-colored obstacle course so that she could watch her toddler classmates zip and jump around. Three or four kids were literally lifted over her by their parents so they could get to the bouncing and sliding at the end. I just sat with Toot and worked on 1-3, above. This is, by the way, how the first ten minutes or so of class always go. Rudy sits in one spot, smiling and eventually bouncing, while the rest of the kids zoom around.

Also, Marley keeps asking me to play this video because of the tiny noise Toot makes at the end. Marley thinks it's hilarious.

I love Rudy for lots of reasons. Today, I was proud of the relaxed and happy way she scooted around the room, stopping every so often to rest. And she's got some signature moves, too. She likes to lie on her stomach, smiling, resting her head on the right, and lifting her entire left leg into the air. This is becoming a thing, along with a version of downward dog she does while looking around upside down and babbling loudly. Rudy also likes perching on her shins and bouncing while flapping her arms. She is adorable while doing all of these things; an adult attempting any one of them is most likely crazy. And that's probably why, most of the time, I am so happy to spend my days hanging out with people five and under. They act crazy, but it's sweet and funny and appreciated.