Not so everyday newbie rides again

[Kano]

Lisa, no apologies needed! You and Mimi share my opinion: he's only two!

I get the impression that the mailbox trip is a goal down the way -- something daddy and Xander do anyway, and maybe it would be a good time for the bike. Meanwhile, it appears that they need space for the wee guy to learn a few bike skills -- starting, stopping, and steering. Their driveway is too sloped, their patio and kitchen are way too small. And that's how our driveway won the "where to practice lottery."

Fortunately, he gets to use the training wheels that came with the bike!!!

Xander had two play sessions on his bike today (no trailer ride, dang it!) and enjoyed the second one a LOT! The first one shouldn't have been timed as it was: daddy was a bit impatient to play, woke Xander from a nap, and took him out to play before he was really awake.

Ride two, though, Xander was all smiles, laughter, and mischief! He could use a wee bit smaller bike at this point, to make it easier to reach the pedals at the bottom of the circle, but of course he doesn't care that this makes him get stuck at times! Xander also doesn't care that sometimes he suddenly puts on the brakes instead of pedaling himself along... I'm pretty sure this wee guy has an innate ability to have a good time doing stuff no matter what someone else says about how to do it, y'know? With luck he'll keep this skill, since he may need it!

Fun things to do: ride into Auntie 'Licia's car bumper, because it made a cool noise on impact(see pics). Ride into the hedge -- until it stops him! Especially fun -- the wee hill where two sections of driveway meet("I'm went down a hill!"), and even more -- getting a good head of steam going down the main driveway, which of course slopes just a little bit toward the street and making daddy run to catch him before he runs right into the road! Feet go up and out as he "flies" down the slope, and daddy's running after hollering "the brakes!!!!"

Yes, Xander needs some time and physical maturity to learn how to control his new bike, but he sure does seem to love to ride, and until he learns some control over where he's going and the starting and stopping, he'll have that daddy of his running ragged! (do we think daddy deserves this?)

My younger daughter suggests abandoned basket ball and tennis courts for his practice sessions if they want to avoid all possibilities of riding into the street until he's big enough to put it all together. Sometimes, this second child of mine shows signs of returning intelligence!

Karen in Boise