The closest to Normal (Illinois) that I've ever been.

Monday, June 2, 2008

Pedal power


Grandma Dorinda gave Joseph (and Sam) bikes for Joseph's birthday. Joseph was delighted to pick out a Spiderman bike with training wheels and a spider helmet. Joseph is a moody biker: he veers between ecstatically giggling as he speeds down the sidewalk to sulking and refusing to move because he feels that the bike has slighted him in some way.

Happy biker:

Angry biker:


Sam has been struggling to ride a bike for YEARS. In the past, Sam had a pretty negative attitude about his bike, and leaned heavily on Danny without really ever learning to balance for himself. Danny and I frequently argue about this. Danny has been holding Sam upright on his bike for over a year since Sam decided that training wheels were baby-ish while I run alongside yelling "Let go of the damn bike already!"

However, now that Sam has a new bike that fits him (and a cool skull helmet) Sam has finally started to learn to balance himself and ride around a bit. Now he just needs to learn how to start himself without help, and to stop with his breaks, not by aiming for a grassy spot and crashing.

Go Sam go!


Joseph on his first bike!

He's a speedy little fellow!

Sam rides alone and Joseph has a special bonus birthday tantrum.

Sam riding on the quad (and a happier Joseph.)

2 comments:

Beth said...

Oh, I hated learning to ride a bike - it was torture!

p.s.
Thanks so much for the lovely compliment and handmade birthday gift!!! More formal thank you to follow.

master p., esq. said...

danny looks like the police chasing down a criminal in that first picture. ah, good times parenting.