Greg is an avid cyclist and went out for an early morning ride Saturday morning. He was home mid-morning and putting his bike away when the boys greeted him in the garage. Then Will asked out of the blue "Daddy, when are you going to take my training wheels off?" I heard Greg say, without hesitation, "Right now, Will!" In my mind, I started cataloging everything I needed to get to record this momentous occasion. RJ was sleeping, I needed the monitor; CAMERA CAMERA CAMERA; shoes and socks for Will, and oh yeah it would proably be good for him to be out his pj's...are you kidding me he's not ready for this?!?! Or rather, MOMMY's not ready for this! Oh well, Daddy is doing the right thing...indulging his desire and then we'll put the training wheels back on in about a week. Hey, you gotta start practicing sometime, right?!?!
So after a few trials, Greg put the pedals back on and started the Norman Rockwell scene of boy on bike, Dad stooped over in a very awkward position, one hand on the seat, running along side the bike. If they tried it once, they tried it 50 times in our driveway. After the first big spill and set of crocodile tears to accompany it...Will quickly learned how to get the foot out first and stay off of his knees, or better yet, get to the grass before falling!
I love this picture...you can see Greg just willing him to stay on. If you look closely, you can see Greg's toungue sticking out of his mouth...a habit his parents say developed when he was a little boy and concentrating hard on something! We've laughed over the years b/c Will sticks his toungue out too...look closely and you'll see it as he's learning to ride! Like father, like son!
After about an hour of working at it, it was time to re-group, have lunch, take a breather...and "doctor up those knees" as Will said.
That afternoon, Greg had the brilliant idea of using an old sock of his as make-shift knee pads to protect those raw knees a bit. This time, they headed out to the street where there wasn't an easy escape like the grass. By the end of that "session" Will was starting to get a better feel for things.
After church on Sunday, it was clear there was only one thing on Will's agenda so into play clothes for Will, sweat clothes for Daddy and knee pads back on. This time, Greg was able to let go a bit sooner than the day before and Will got up to about 20' a few times!!! I couldn't believe and Greg was just ecstatic...it was really beginning to click! He was still far from a bike rider but it was definite progress!
Monday morning was more of the same...with Mommy this time though. I wasn't real sure how that was going to work with G to keep track of (and entertained) and RJ sleeping and monitor in hand. But we gave it a shot! After W quickly informed me of exactly how Daddy did it and how I was doing it differentlt, we figured out a way that was going to work and back to work he went! It became pretty clear that he was going to really do this and I just needed to be prepared! So I started trying to figure out what was going to motivate him and admmitedly switched a bit into PT/goal setting mode and we started counting the houses that he passed without falling! I just couldn't beleive it!!! After about an hour of being outside and going up and down our street as far as RJ's monitor would allow (including giving G a piggy back ride while running beside W to make sure G wasn't playing in the street)...he got passed 7 houses! He was elated and immediately called Daddy at work!
Sweet Grady was a trooper through all of this, riding his own bike, mowing the sidewalk, or just being content to cheer on brother! Your time will come soon, buddy!
Wednesday afternoon, Greg was in the door, clothes changed and out on the driveway in less than a minute. Will had told him on Tue, he wanted Greg on his bike too so they could go ride together. So on the bike and out of the driveway...and away they went. Daddy and his boy...a first taste of freedom. I'm not sure who was happier!
Greg started the teaching by taking Will's pedals off and dropping the seat all the way down and had him practice his balance while scooting along on it as if it was a ride on toy like he used as a toddler (a trick he learned about at the bike shop). It was very clear that wasn't going to cut it in Will's eyes...he wanted a shot at it with his training wheels off and pedals ON!
So after a few trials, Greg put the pedals back on and started the Norman Rockwell scene of boy on bike, Dad stooped over in a very awkward position, one hand on the seat, running along side the bike. If they tried it once, they tried it 50 times in our driveway. After the first big spill and set of crocodile tears to accompany it...Will quickly learned how to get the foot out first and stay off of his knees, or better yet, get to the grass before falling! I love this picture...you can see Greg just willing him to stay on. If you look closely, you can see Greg's toungue sticking out of his mouth...a habit his parents say developed when he was a little boy and concentrating hard on something! We've laughed over the years b/c Will sticks his toungue out too...look closely and you'll see it as he's learning to ride! Like father, like son! After about an hour of working at it, it was time to re-group, have lunch, take a breather...and "doctor up those knees" as Will said. That afternoon, Greg had the brilliant idea of using an old sock of his as make-shift knee pads to protect those raw knees a bit. This time, they headed out to the street where there wasn't an easy escape like the grass. By the end of that "session" Will was starting to get a better feel for things. After church on Sunday, it was clear there was only one thing on Will's agenda so into play clothes for Will, sweat clothes for Daddy and knee pads back on. This time, Greg was able to let go a bit sooner than the day before and Will got up to about 20' a few times!!! I couldn't believe and Greg was just ecstatic...it was really beginning to click! He was still far from a bike rider but it was definite progress! Monday morning was more of the same...with Mommy this time though. I wasn't real sure how that was going to work with G to keep track of (and entertained) and RJ sleeping and monitor in hand. But we gave it a shot! After W quickly informed me of exactly how Daddy did it and how I was doing it differentlt, we figured out a way that was going to work and back to work he went! It became pretty clear that he was going to really do this and I just needed to be prepared! So I started trying to figure out what was going to motivate him and admmitedly switched a bit into PT/goal setting mode and we started counting the houses that he passed without falling! I just couldn't beleive it!!! After about an hour of being outside and going up and down our street as far as RJ's monitor would allow (including giving G a piggy back ride while running beside W to make sure G wasn't playing in the street)...he got passed 7 houses! He was elated and immediately called Daddy at work!On Tuesday after school, W could hardly wait to get home. After another little bit of work, it was clear I needed to get G portable so I put him in the jogger (along with RJ's monitor...thank goodness for her naps I think she knew I needed her to sleep through all of this) and off we went chasing after W on his bike...18 houses down the street!!! He did that 2 times! Back inside to call Daddy with the report. We could hardly wait for him to get back in town on Wednesday!
Wednesday afternoon, Greg was in the door, clothes changed and out on the driveway in less than a minute. Will had told him on Tue, he wanted Greg on his bike too so they could go ride together. So on the bike and out of the driveway...and away they went. Daddy and his boy...a first taste of freedom. I'm not sure who was happier! 
30 minutes and 3 miles later around the neighorhood, they were back, sweaty and on cloud 9...what a day what a day!!!
2 comments:
Lisa! Greg! I just found your blog! I haven't been searching lately but found this link through Chrys' site. Anyway, i'm so excited to keep up with you guys this way! Soooo excited about Will learning to ride a bike! I am sure you both are ecstatic! :) Too cute! All of your kiddos will have to be athletes! :) Love you both so much and you guys are such fantastic parents. xoxoxo
Lisa, seeing the pix of Greg and Will headed away on their bikes was so reminiscent of one of Dad and Ryan (but carrying bags of leaves on their backs)! A son DOES love to do things with his Daddy! Mom
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