A few weeks ago Charlotte really got the hang of her balance bike.
It had been sitting in the garage for quite sometime collecting some dust. She would try it occasionally, but would then revert back to the toddler tricycle. But instead of pushing her, we just continued suggesting the balance bike.
Her and Troy were out for a walk the other day and went past a neighbor's house. Charlotte goes to school with the little boy who lives there and after watching him zip around on his balance bike she was determined to give it a chance.
1 week later she was flying around on the balance bike.
2 weeks later we decided to take it one step farther. After gymnastics yesterday we made a detour to pick out a new bike.
It was of course pouring rain, windy and cold. We tried to postpone the first go, but it turns out that making a 4 year old wait to ride her brand new bike is pretty much the most terrible thing a parent can do.
Rain coats, helmets, new bike and a video camera later we were outside.
I could have bottled the excitement radiating off of her as she buckled her helmet and threw her leg over the seat.
I clasped my hand around the seat of her bike and as my walk turned into a gentle jog I let my hand drift away from her. She flew. And just as gracefully came to a stop just a bit away.
She looked up with the biggest smile and as I began to ask if she was ready to go again she said "YES!" before I was able to get it out.
Again I clasped the seat, again I held on. But this time, 5 seconds in, she said "Mom, you can let go now". In the video you can see me jumping up and down screaming in excitement and flailing my arms like a fool. What you can't see are the tears.
Her and Troy were out for a walk the other day and went past a neighbor's house. Charlotte goes to school with the little boy who lives there and after watching him zip around on his balance bike she was determined to give it a chance.
1 week later she was flying around on the balance bike.
2 weeks later we decided to take it one step farther. After gymnastics yesterday we made a detour to pick out a new bike.
It was of course pouring rain, windy and cold. We tried to postpone the first go, but it turns out that making a 4 year old wait to ride her brand new bike is pretty much the most terrible thing a parent can do.
Rain coats, helmets, new bike and a video camera later we were outside.
I could have bottled the excitement radiating off of her as she buckled her helmet and threw her leg over the seat.
I clasped my hand around the seat of her bike and as my walk turned into a gentle jog I let my hand drift away from her. She flew. And just as gracefully came to a stop just a bit away.
She looked up with the biggest smile and as I began to ask if she was ready to go again she said "YES!" before I was able to get it out.
Again I clasped the seat, again I held on. But this time, 5 seconds in, she said "Mom, you can let go now". In the video you can see me jumping up and down screaming in excitement and flailing my arms like a fool. What you can't see are the tears.