Lots of Firsts This Week ...

On Monday, Jared first tried his two wheel bike with no training wheels.

On Tuesday, Jared learned how to steer his two wheel bike with no training wheels in circles.

On Wednesday, Jared learned how to start and stop all by himself on his two wheel bike with no training wheels.

On Thursday, Jared had his first big bike wreck with blood and everything ...

We have the benefit of having good friends with kids older than ours ... it is such a blessing to learn from them and see them go through all the stages before we do. Our good friends and neighbors, the Utterbacks, have Joshua who is a year and a half older than Jared. Jared adores his friend, Joshua.

Our families are always riding bikes together and doing fun things outside. I remember when Joshua first took the training wheels off his bike before he even turned three years old. I was amazed at how such a little boy could maneuver on a two wheel bike all by himself.

For Christmas, Jared got his first 2 wheel bike from "Santa" ... he was so ready to get on that thing and ride! He was just turning three. We took walks frequently with him proudly riding it. I soon realized he could ride it well enough to do so alongside Tim and I as we rode our bikes with Will in the bike trailer. As his confidence grew, so did his ability to speed down hills and pedal up them, handle fast corners, etc. Tim and I both felt like he was getting so good that he he might be ready to take off the training wheels.

With summer fast approaching, I could feel our "window" of opportunity closing ... once the temps are up in the 100's in Phoenix for the summer, it is practically October before they come down again. I just couldn't envision Tim running alongside Jared's bike when it was 105 degress outside!! With the benefit of the cool spell we have had this past week, we decided to give it a shot.

As a side note, I remember being in grade school before I took off my training wheels. I specifically remember my dad teaching me at the school campus. I remember being reluctant to try this new thing, I was so scared of falling. I really want my boys to be braver than I was. Melinda and I have a theory that it is easier for kids to learn to ride a two wheel bike before they are old enough to let fear take over ... I decided to put it to the test ...

Monday, June 8, 2009 was the big day. We first borrowed Joshua's old bike with no training wheels to try it out, but Jared wanted to ride his bike with the training wheels ... so Tim took them off. Jared balked at first, but seriously, five minutes later he could go for quite a while with Tim's help getting starting. Jared was thrilled at his new skill!!

Here are some pictures of them practicing the first night in the grass at the park:


































"Look, Mom! No training wheels!!"








































After his first big night without the training, wheels we all enjoyed a well deserved treat of some homemade strawberry popsicles! (Tim is on the phone with his dad giving Papa Bob the big news. Tim was one proud Daddy that his son learned how to ride a bike at three!!)





















This is Will on the tricycle. He still has yet to pedal himself, but I really get the feeling he wants to ride on a two wheel bike with training wheels instead of the tricycle. I would not be suprised if he skips the trike stage altogether. He really wants to be like his big brother.






















Jared has been doing so well all week, we figured he was ready to ride with us to the pool. He did so great the entire way there. I think the swimming wore him out, though. Hindsight 20/20 it might have been a little much for his fourth night riding a bike ...

The pool/clubhouse sits on top of a pretty steep hill. Jared got on his bike and was heading down the hill pretty fast when he accidentally steered into some steel parking bollards. He flipped off his bike and landed on his chin. Oh man, did it look like it hurt!! At first, Tim and I were concerned he might have broken a bone ... he was pretty upset, to say the least.

Mercifully, our neighbor was walking by the golf course with his new puppy. This was just the distraction we needed to get him calmed down and back on the bike. This tough little boy rode all the way home, beat up and everything. So proud of him.

He was most concerned about the scrape on his hand:




























We didn't tell him about the blood on his chin (but trust me, he figured that out later on in the bathtub!).






















We saw the Riccio's as we were heading in. Jared gladly showed off his battle wounds. Mikayla was very impressed, I am sure.





















This is one tough, little cookie! Not bad for 3 1/2!!