Sunday was the big day. The day Katelyn decided she was ready to get the training wheels off her bike. I know, I had been thinking the same thing, she's six years old - time to ride like a big girl. But I was also worried. See, we live at the bottom of a rather steep hill. A person can pick up a lot of speed just by going two houses up. I personally had a nice flat street and very patient parents that ran along behind me for I don't know how long while I learned to ride with only two wheels. Not really the same scenario for Kate. Although I am walking much better and mostly without the boot, I am in no condition to run. So Steve was up for two-wheel training. He went about it a whole different way than I would - a much better way it turns out. Yes, sometimes his skills and ideas are better than mine. He taught her how to "walk the bike" with her feet on the sides, not on the pedals. It got her used to balancing and the speed.
She spent about an hour walking her bike up and then coasting down to our driveway where she eventually started putting her feet on the pedals and "riding"! We weren't even paying attention when she really did it the first time.
After her first big fall, she came over crying to me and we had to have the "get back on and try, try again" talk. As I was telling her this, it came to me that this was one of those "important life lessons". As I got a little nervous realizing my big "parent moment", I also notice how it was just another "consoling by mommy" moment for her. She didn't realize at all that it was a life lesson moment. It struck me then how such a momentous occasion for one is not always for others. I guess it's the repetition that eventually teaches us these great life lessons - just like riding a bike. So congratulations Katelyn -- You are a two wheeler, who unbeknownst to you, are learning that when you fall, you have to get back on and try, try again. Mommy is so proud of you!!
