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I wasn't sure it was ever going to happen.
He is a cautious kid. He isn't into doing daring stunts that could possibly get him hurt. He is very calculating and always makes sure the odds are in his favor that things will turn out well. So, trying to get him to ride his bike without the training wheels has been a difficult task, to say the least.
Oh, I knew he could do it. But he didn't. I would run down the block with him (yes, almost 9 months pregnant) holding on to his bicycle seat and I would let go and he would ride just fine by himself. But the minute he would feel a slight wobble he would jump off the bike, kick it, scream at it, and be done trying for the day. No amount of cheerleading or cajoling would help.
Then yesterday I begged him to try again. He did fine for a few runs but then quickly tired of it. When Tommy saw the attention Joey was getting he decided he wanted to try. Even after we lowered the seat Tommy couldn't touch the ground so Todd decided it was time Tommy got his own bike.
Todd came back a short time later with a shiny new bike for Tommy and helmets, knee pads and elbow pads for all the boys (don't want them to feel left out, you know).
(Tommy was so excited to jump on his new bike)
Joey was so excited about the extra protection he would have that as soon as he put it on he grabbed his bike and took off down the sidewalk. All. By. Himself! He just took off riding. And now, just as I had predicted to him, we can not get him off of it. 
(This is Joey just taking off. He went so fast it was hard to get a picture of him. Most of the pics were like the one below.)
Joey and Tommy are bike riding machines. Up and down the block they go. Back and forth, back and forth. By the next day, Joey wanted to spread his wings a bit more. He asked if we could go for a bike ride. Todd filled all of the bike tires up and off we went (yes, me almost 9 months pregnant). Joey was elated. And we were so happy for him. Mostly that he learned such an important lesson. Every few minutes we would ask him, "Now what did you learn, Joe?" And he would respond, "To keep trying! It is okay to fall, you just get back up and try again!"
Joe has been walking around the house like a new boy. He is so proud of his accomplishment. He did something that he didn't think he would be able to do and that is so amazing to see. I swear, watching him take off on that bike was one of the most exciting moments I have had in a very long time.
(All the boys having fun)And now (even though I am almost 9 months pregnant and it is actually pretty painful) we all have a new favorite family pasttime.
28 comments:
We love the family bike ride around here too!!! No training wheels is awesome!! For now we will be using the bike trailer (broken arm). Looks like fun!
Can he send a little bike riding enthusiasm this way? I can't get Caleb (almost 8 already) to let go of the training wheels.
Awesome! I can't wait until all my boys are (hopefully) into riding bikes. Ryder and I want to go on some fun trails with them too, but we are still trying to figure out how we would get all the bikes there!
I'm jumping ahead of myself though, I still have to convince Bubu to get on his bike...with training wheels. He just gets so frustrated when he can't do something perfect the first time...try, try again is a constant motto around here!
You lady are amazing to be going bike riding at nine months!
Learning to ride a bicycle is such a big, big step in a young child's life -probably one that will have the biggest payoff too, over the years, in terms of fun as well as fitness! I was between 5 and 6 years old when I learned to ride my first bike without the training wheels and it was a skill that provided hours and hours of entertainment for me, year after year. Definitely is a huge milestone in a child's life. (And family biking is a fantastic idea whether one is 9 months pregnant or not!)
Hooray for Joey! He's going to love the independence of the two wheeler....they all look like the are having so much fun!
Congrats to Joey! Looks like everyone's having a great time. I remember riding for the first time by myself...pure joy. It still feels great.
YAY! No training wheels is such milestone. Fun stuff.
Wow! so proud of him :)
Here’s my photo story. happy Friday!
omg, I cannot believe you are bike riding at 9 months! I could barely walk when I was 9 months pg last summer! Good for you!! And great job Joey!!! Jack just mastered bike riding last week and has been having a blast and a half!
Boys and bikes! I am a mom of a girl and 3 boys. My oldest son decided at 4 years 2 months old that he was going to ride. He had my husband take off the training wheels and off he went! His 6 year old sister decided that if HE could do it SHE could do it too. No scraped knees or anything. I remember LOTS of scraped knees when I was learning! These are great memories! Good luck with the new baby. I had our #4 on January 1st!
We have a trailer similar to that, that Aiden loves to ride in and we love to take family bike rides also. I can't imagine doing it when that pregnant though~ LOL You are a rock star!
Yep...even in The Big City, we do the bike ride (Husband and I walk, while The Little Man and Miss Peach scoot along)
Hi btw:)
He's a man now.
Yesssss!! So happy for him! And you. It's a big deal! Evan keeps taking the training wheels off and on, hoping to magically "figure it out." I hope he learns the same lesson Joe did.
Such an exciting accomplishment for Joey! That was fun to read about. Enjoy those bike rides. :)
My boys are out riding as I type...I suspect they would get on smashingly with your boys. Boo mastered pedalling on his new bike last weekend, so he and his big brother live to pedal now... I just have to figure out how early we can put the new baby in a bike seat of some sort!
It's a pretty big deal to leave the training wheels behind! Something about the picture of a child's back as he speeds down the sidewalk faster than imaginable - and they never look back! Fun times.
YaY!! I love the bike milestones :-)
Wait, are you seriously still riding? I could barely walk at 9 months-- I waddled like a very uncomfortable duck. You are my hero.
I love bike riding. I taught my 2nd to ride his bike while I was 8 months pregnant with my 4th too!!!
Sounds like you guys sure do have good times!!! And I can't believe that you only have 32 days
(according to your side bar counter) until your baby arrives!!! Time goes by way to fast!!!
That's so awesome! I'm pretty resigned that Julianna's going to need another year before she is ready. I hope she takes to as well when she is ready.
We love going for family bike rides. Enjoy. I can't believe how quickly it will be until you won't be going for rides anymore--for a while! :-)
How cool! I can't believe you went almost nine months pregnant. Good mommy!
that is awesome but if it hurts you maybe you should just watch.
My youngest before it snowed asked me to take her training wheels off and I was a little nervous. I was hoping she would wait till this summer but no way. Well she pushed herself up and down the side walk for a bout a week. Then she asked me to hold on to her. I let her go slowly because she had her plush hood on. Her winter jacket. Well it took about five rounds of going around the block for her to have it completly. She now owns a brand new 18 inch bike for her 5th B-day on June 2nd.. Growing up so fast. But you are right this was a big step for him. Harrayyy Joey...
HOORAY BIG BOY!
And hang in there, mama! Not too much longer now.
Oh how exciting! Mine is 16 but I still remember the day so well!
Lovely photos!
Oh, what a great time. Glad you are enjoying it.
That is awesome! Congrats and happy trails!
My daughter is determined to teach herself to ride... and she is doing it w/o training wheels, just keeps on getting back on. It is amazing to watch their determination.
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