Emily got her bike for Christmas when she was four years old. It was a bit too big for her then but it had training wheels so I guess Santa Claus must have thought she would eventually grow into it. Well, she finally grew into it.

No training wheels...

I took off her training wheels last year but after several crying and whining sessions Nancy put them back on. This year I took them off again and told Emily that if she wanted to ride a bike she was going to just have to learn how to do it without training wheels. I spent an hour a couple of Saturdays ago trying to help her by steadying the bicycle and explaining to her that she needed to keep pedaling or else she would fall over. It was rather frustrating trying to help her because she kept wanting to ride in the gutter so she could be close to the curb. Of course riding in the gutter next to the curb leaves you with no room to turn or maneuver. Rather than get frustrated at her and yell at her I just left off trying to help and let her do it her own way.

...but still a little bit shaky.

The next Saturday I came outside and to my amazement she was riding. At first she was really cautious but now she rides up and down the street with abandon. Our biggest concern is that she doesn't pay enough attention to cars. She has a bike helmet but getting her to wear it is like getting a grizzly bear to wear a tutu. I remember when I was a kid how much I enjoyed riding my bike. Every little mound of dirt was a "jump" and every little curb or step was a chance to do a trick. This enjoyment lasted up until I was about 14 and had to start riding my bike to my summer job. Riding up the hill in the hot afternoon wasn't any fun at all.

Anne and Caroline wanted to have their pictures taken on their bikes as well so here they are:

Next thing you know I'll be worrying about them driving the car on the freeway instead of riding their bikes in the street.