Try And Try Again

Next Saturday, the 28th, is Ethan's 8th birthday. I am not at all looking forward to it. Can I just keep him 7 forever? I like him at 7. It means he's really not that close to a double digit age. Ten is the danger zone. It means almost 13. Thirteen won't be that bad, right? RIGHT?

Anyways, since next Saturday is Ethan's birthday, my SIL, her husband and my MIL all pitched in and bought Ethan a bike for his birthday. He already owns one, but he was a little bit for it. Last night she brought it over to give it to him. She propped it up on the kick stand behind the car and we called Ethan out for, what else, a photo op!

Off topic for a second, but don't you love my sweet ride in the background with the green bumpers on the tan car. You're jealous, I know it.

Ethan was So super excited about this new bike. He walked around it and was like, "Really? MINE! I'm so excited!" Then he hopped on to make sure the seat wasn't too high for him.

Perfect! My MIL spent a good 20 minutes pushing him back and forth so he could get used to balancing. Claire followed and whenever he started to wobble, she would say, "Oh no! Oh gosh! Oh no! NICE...NICE!!!" No word yet on if this gave Ethan any confidence in his bike riding endeavors.

After awhile, he moved the bike into the grass to show us that he could, in fact, balance on his own. Claire cheered him on.

Today we headed out to try again. Claire assumed cheerleader position.

Ethan, decked out in Spider-Man helmet and Spider-man outfit grabbed his bike. My MIL held Grayson while I took Ethan into the street to give him a push. We started running. Pedals were going. Ethan giggled. I let go.

And he went into the neighbors yard and fell over.

He dusted himself off, grabbed his bike and came back. We straightened his helmet, gathered his courage, and started running. He pushed the pedals as fast as he could while I ran beside him. I let go.

He went into the other neighbors yard and fell over.

He picked himself up, dusted himself off, grabbed a drink of water, and back to it we went. The look of determination in his eyes was even stronger. He took a deep breath. He shook his shoulders straight and pushed his helmet into place. He gripped the handle bars. I started pushing, he started pedaling. I let go.

And he rode away. He did it! I've never been so proud. I think my heart swelled with pride when I watched his little legs pedal to the end of the street and saw the look on his face when he came running into my arms yelling, "I did it! I did it!"

Ethan...The bike rider!