Bike riding

 My girls finally learned to ride their bikes without training wheels.  We've been working with Rylie for a couple of years but she was too scared to even try.  She would get angry and I would get frustrated so I finally gave up.  I had taught her all she needed to know she just had to want to do it.  Brynlie wanted to learn without training wheels but I was discouraged to even let her try because of my experiences with Rylie. 

A few weeks ago Porter's brother and sister-in-law, Luke and Elyna, gave us one of their kids old bikes that they had grown too big for.  It didn't have training wheels and was the perfect size for Brynlie.    When we got home, Brynlie was so excited to try it out.  It took one push and she was off.  She caught onto it so fast I was surprised.  She only had a couple of falls and now she is a pro.  Rylie saw that Brynlie had done it and so she wanted to try.  We took off the training wheels on her bike and kept trying with her but she would keep putting her feet down and getting mad and saying she couldn't do it.  I finally had to explain to her that we have told her all she needs to know on how to ride a bike and that the rest was up to her.  I told her she just had to practice and keep trying.  I felt so bad when I would see her face while she watched Brynlie and the frustration she had when she had a hard time doing it.  So after a little while she finally got the hang of it and after a few days she was really good.  Now both Rylie and Brynlie are great at it and are starting to think they can do all sorts of tricks on their bikes.  There are a few falls every now and then but no more tears.

I really wish I would have gotten some pictures on a better day but they ride their bikes every day and this is the only day I remembered to get the camera.  Rylie still likes to wear her knee and elbow pads and her gardening gloves when she rides her bike.  She had always been my most cautious child and will always try to prevent injury.  I am glad they love riding their bikes, it's just too bad there are no sidewalks where we live so there aren't too many places to ride.