Wheels!

I know I'm technically old enough to have grandchildren, but the idea that I have a child able to ride a bike is kind of throwing me for a loop.  Kay Kay will be four in less than two weeks, and people are asking how that feels.  I guess I haven't really stopped to think about that since I'm so freaked out about her being able to ride a bike.  Freaked out, in a way, and relieved in a way.  Relieved that she didn't inherit her mother's lack of athleticism.  (For the record, The Papa disagrees completely that I lack athleticism.)

Anyway, the point of this post is to remember these first days of bike riding.  It all started with the balance bike.  It was recommended by a friend, and it's amazing how fast she can go on it after just a few months.  We bought this bike mid-July.

She balances and steers like a champ!

Of course she can ride a bike in a long, blowy dress.

Our friends were going out of town for a weekend, and I had the brilliant idea of borrowing their "big girl pedal bike" to see if Kay Kay would take to it as did their daughter.  When I got it home, I realized that my idea was probably a little crazy.  We would probably have about an hour over a couple of days at the most to try it out, and what kid can actually learn to ride a bike in an hour?  The Papa helped her onto the seat, she started pedaling, and off she went!  I couldn't believe it!  After a little while, The Papa had to take off down the street to retrieve JayBird, and I was left helping Kay Kay on the bike.  I helped her on, and she was clearly taking off as I held onto the seat.  She was yelling, "Mom, let go!  LET GO!!!!"  I always pictured that day being me the one letting go while she yelled, "Don't let go!"  Wrong again.

The Papa had already decided he wanted to get her a bike for her birthday, and as luck would have it, the neighbor's seven year-old daughter was moving up to the next size bike.  I say, "...as luck would have it...," because to have that bike would be like some people having a lock of Elvis's hair.  We decided not to wait until the birthday to give it to her, and she seemed pretty pleased when we uncovered it in the garage.

She later told The Papa she was "disappointed because she really wanted it to be a pig."  Too much Charlotte's Web lately, I suppose.

She still needs help getting on and off, but she's totally doing it!

Taking off around the block....

....and they're back.

We call this "The Papa's New Exercise Plan".

JayBird got some wheels, too.

This is JayBird asking for "Hop" which I interpret to mean, "Help Now!"  I could be wrong about that.  I may need to hear it again to be sure.

Maybe I'll start calling myself, "The Proud Mama".  So proud of my girl, and happy for her.  I just love the smile on her face when the wind's on it.  Can't get enough of that.