I know what you're thinking and Yes, that is one of my boys on a girls bike. Let me explain.... A couple weeks ago B1 wanted to ride his bike so we got it out of the garage and realized that it was much too small for him this year. G1 generously gave up her bike, since it fit him perfectly, in hopes of getting a new one for herself. (Which she eventually did- a new shiny red one) B2 wanted to ride a bike too so he graciously accepted B1's old bike - which was a little big for him but he was determined to grow into it. B2 doesn't know how to ride a bike. He struggled with holding the bike up long enough to awkwardly perch on the seat then fell down, bike and all, into the bushes along the fence. B2 got frustrated and discouraged very easily and vowed never to ride that *stupid* bike again, "he didn't want to ride a bike anyway!" A week or so later my brother in law brought over a bike for B3 (one my niece had just outgrown). He also brought over some training wheels for B2's bike. I tried to put the training wheels on B2's bike... but they were in three pieces and I didn't know what to do with them. I held them up to the bike wheel and tried to imagine what they might look like if they were fastened to the bike but I just couldn't quite figure it out. So I got on the Internet and searched for "How to install training wheels on a bike." I came across an interesting article that talked about why it was not a good idea to put training wheels on a bike, how it gives the child (and parent) a false sense of security, does not teach them the necessary skills and balance they need to actually ride a bike and just prolongs the real "learning to ride a bike" milestone. One thing that really stood out in the article was how the author said that parents put training wheels on their child's bike because they are too lazy to get off their butts and hold the bike for the child or run along side the bike to cheer them on...... WOW, guilty as charged! It went on to give brief instructions on how to get a child riding his/her bike - without training wheels - in only a few minutes. It was just too easy so I had to try it myself. I took B2 out to the garage and fitted him with a helmet and lowered the seat on a smaller bike I had just gotten to put aside for G2 (when she's big enough to begin riding). The trick to teaching them to ride the bike is to get them started on a much smaller bike than necessary. This gives the child plenty of stability and better ability to master the art of steering and peddling at the same time. On a smaller bike, the child had greater control and is able to catch on quicker. Once the child has truly mastered riding the smaller bike, he/she can be fitted for something more suitable for their size. Well this really was just too easy - so I put B2 on the bike, explained what to do with the peddles and how to stop and gave him a push .... and off her went! Just like that. What was impossible for him only a week earlier was now happening - He was riding a two wheeler! He was so proud of himself. I was flabbergasted at how simple this seemed so I called B3 out to the garage and lowered the seat on the bike we just got for him. I took off the training wheels and told him he was going to have to ride the bike without training wheels because it was safer that way and I knew he could do it. He was upset and insecure about the thought of that and asked me to put the training wheels back on so he could learn that way. I told him to get on the bike and explained how to start and stop and gave him a push. He was a little shakier than B2 but he caught on right away and as his confidence grew so did his ability. I was so excited that both boys learned how to ride within minutes - not nearly as excited as they were though.
Speaking of new skills and abilities.... Baby G4 is now crawling! She is determined to get to wherever it is that she wants to go and she sure is getting into everything! Besides crawling to get to her destination, she also uses her bouncy bug. You know the stationary play equipment I'm talking about - like an excersaucer but only in a bug shape with toys attached to it. The front two legs are stationary and the back two legs are not so baby can bounce a bit to exercise her legs. Well Baby G4 has discovered if she leans far enough over the back of the bug and bounces with great enthusiasm she can make this bug go wherever she wants. We timed her the other day and it only takes her 20 seconds to bounce that thing across the living room. The downfall is that she now has access to higher things like table tops, drawers, and the computer. One of her obsessions is to push the button on the front of the computer to turn it on. We finally had to retire the bouncy bug although it was her favorite toy - similar to those old baby walkers from way back when, there were just too many safety concerns.
On July 29th Great Grandma (Margaret Vince) celebrated her 90th birthday. We were brave and took all 7 kids to her birthday party. She had a wonderful evening and the children enjoyed visiting with her and all the other relatives. Things were very peaceful and under control until they had cake and pop. Then a few minutes later you could see the metamorphosis begin. First a few twitches here and there, then some giggles, a few kicks under the table and then some whining..... and it just continued to escalate from there. As people left and the room cleared out a bit, the kids got more anxious to roam around the room. Some crawling, others wiggling under tables, some rolling across the floor and others going from lap to lap enjoying the extra attention (and potential for more sugary treats). The herd wanted to bring all the helium balloons home with them and great grandma quickly agreed that they should have them. But how to get them home was another issue. We already take two vehicles everywhere because we don't all fit into one vehicle - we certainly don't have room for a bunch of helium balloons as well. Grandma and Papa Koppes came to the rescue and offered to drive the balloons home for us (THANKS Grandma and Papa - can you detect the sarcasm?) Kids and helium balloons...... Hmmmm .... I foresee lots of noise and activity ... don't we have enough?!?! On top of that, our hound is so scared of balloons. She shakes and bays at them which makes the kids torment her even more 'cause isn't it funny to see the tall skinny hound going crazy? (At a later date I may devote another write up to our hound Babe - she's got an interesting story too.)
Now for a few funnies from my herd this week:
* "Uh Ineer" Ojibwe for "What's in there?" Hahaha, just joking - it's what our curious 2 year old G3 asks often.
* Papa was playing with G2 on the couch one afternoon. He called her a cutie. G2 responded with "YOU'RE a tootie Papa"
* G1 had just finished cleaning the bathroom (I told the kids to finish up chores before we had some treats) B3 walked into the bathroom where G1 was and said to her "Mmmmm I smell our treat - it's candy isn't it?" He was smelling the citrus scent of the bathroom cleaner. Hahaha
* My little brother Douglas (about the same age as my boys - yeah, that's another story too) told my dad to collect all his pop can tabs for him - because he was saving them up to get him (dad) a wheel chair....... Hahaha
* B2 found a seagull feather outside. He stuck it in his hair and said "Look mom, I'm an Indian" Hahahaha - he's native - of course he's an Indian! Hahaha
*I had B3 at the eye doctor the other day for a check up. The doctor was checking his vision by holding up a letter E across the room from him and making it larger or smaller and asking B3 if he could read the letter. Eventually B3 blurted out "Can you come closer I can't see that?"
* While I was up late one night watching TV I heard one of the kids calling out for me. "Mommy! Mommy!" I went to the girl's room and found little G2 laying very still calling for me. "Mommy I choking" I turned on the light to find that she had vomited on her self - and in her long hair.... needless to say she had a second bath that night.
* My hubby and I went out to dinner with another couple. As we left the restaurant it started to storm. There was plenty of thunder and lightening. I guess B3 was very concerned for me. When we got home he came running to the kitchen and looked at me with relief in his eyes "Mommy, you're okay!" (aren't kids great!?)
In preparation for our upcoming family vacation, taking Buzzy to the groomers was on my list. Check out his little Camo neck tie - too cute! Because Victoria always does such a great job on him and doesn't put bows in his hair or flowery neck ties on him, I wanted to put a plug in for her services. She does excellent work at an affordable rate and is very gentle with her "clients".
Skylar has been at Teen Challenge North in Sault Ste Marie for almost 4 months now. He is doing well and is going to be baptized on Sunday August 10, 2008. Being so far from home is very difficult. I know he would really appreciate a few encouraging words and uplifting letters from family and friends. If you think about it, take a few minutes to write him and encourage him. It really would be a blessing to him. *Please note that due to the nature of the program he is in, all letters are opened and read by staff prior to being given out. You can send your letters to Skylar Sayers c/o Teen Challenge North PO Box 20012 Sault Ste Marie, Ontario P6A 6W3.
Thanks for being such a blessing : )
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