Nice Weather – Better Evenings

With the weather getting nicer and days definitely longer, we’ve getting over to the park in the evenings between dinner and bedtime.

We have this nice little routine going where Abigail rides her peddle bike, Lauren her balance bike, I walk the dog, and Jen runs between/around us.

In the beginning Abigail and Lauren were pretty evenly matched as Abigail was learning the particulars of riding a bike. There were times when Lauren would actually get pretty far ahead and keep the lead as Abigail waited for me to get her started or she struggled with hills and turns.

Not anymore.

Now Abigail starts on her own, manages more hills, and generally keeps things upright longer. Watching her progress is amazing. All the concentration and ambition she puts into it is great. Each day we go she gets a little farther up the hills, or gets around a turn more smoothly. She’s even gotten to the point to where she can watch the soccer and softball games as she peddles along.

Lauren’s not without progress either. Her balance and confidence on the bike are a sight to see for a 2 year old. – her little feet padding long as she gains speed and idly touches down here and there or using just one foot on the opposite side of an off-camber path.

Of course there are crashes. For the most part they’ve learned if they’re going down to head for the grass, but they don’t always make it. In any case crashing is part of learning and the most important part is to get back up and ride.

And the best part about it all?

Bike riding kids go to bed more easily.

– b