Hanging with My Cousins

“Do you want to do gymnastics in your basement?” I asked my cousin, Lorena.

“Sure! I have a panel mat we can use.”

“Let’s change into something more comfortable,” I added.

In the basement, which was half carpeted, half not, Lorena and I did different routines that we made up on the spot. We played music on my aunt’s iPhone as we took turns doing front handsprings, handstands, forward rolls, cartwheels, roundoffs, backbends, and more in our routines. We watched each other, and we piggybacked on each other’s moves.

A few minutes into our first routine, Alonzo, Lorena’s older brother, came downstairs to watch us. When he saw what we were doing, he asked if he could join.

“Yes, Lorena just did her routine, so now it is my turn. You can go after me,” I replied, and Lorena started the music. A few seconds into the routine, Alonzo started distracting me with silly noises. I fell hard on my ankle. I was able to get up right away, but when I was done with my routine I told my cousins I needed to take a break to rest my ankle.

Alonzo did a routine next, but since he didn’t know many gymnastics skills he just kept falling down.

“Can we show you some moves you could use in your routine?” I asked Alonzo when he had finished.

“Yes,” he replied. “I might not get everything right, but I’m going to try.” As Lorena and I were showing Alonzo some moves, Lorenzo came downstairs.

“Can I join?” Lorenzo asked. “I heard your music, so I assumed you were doing gymnastics.”

“Sure!” Lorena, Alonzo, and I all answered at the same time. I was surprised by everyone’s quick response, since usually my cousins argue. I was happy that my example of being nice to each other was being taken seriously. We had the best time that day because we were kind to each other.