Schools out, summer's here, and my days - more than ever - are being filled up with the daily routine of an active family. For the past three years we've been trying to get Nicole to learn to ride a bike. But her fear of falling was always more powerful than our ability to pursued her otherwise. We tried everything from elbow, knee, and hand pads, bribery, and even a little peer pressure as she saw friends and cousins riding on two wheels. Then when Emma became old enough to start learning too, I was certain my teaching methods weren't working with Nicole and didn't even want to bother with Emma. Finally a neighbor, suggested we give the girls a scooter first to help then develop their balancing. So we put the bike's up and got them both scooters, which they have been using to ride to and from school all year round (except during the winter of course). Then just last month, we got the bikes down again and tried them out - Viola!!! After a few tries Nicole got it and just took off!! Emma wasn't to far behind her either. We spent most evenings during May riding around the loop in our neighborhood practicing starting, stopping, watching for cars (our association doesn't have sidewalk) and how to ride your breaks down a hill. I was amazed at how quickly they picked up on it, and now they are both riding like pro's; Emma just needs a little getting started then she's just fine.
As a reward for their commitment to practicing we took a family excursion and all went bike riding together in the canyon. We started at Canyon Park at the mouth of Provo
Canyon and rode all the way to Bridal Veil Falls. All in all it was great time, a bit crowded since we went on Memorial day, but the girls were real troopers. I rode while towing the boys in a bike buggy (talk about a workout!!) while Dave rode with the girls to help them navigate the crowd. Once we got to the falls we didn't realize that there would be a space to play in the water, so we didn't bring their water sandals or suits, but we found a section that was just a stream with soft mud so the kids rolled up their pant legs and played around for a while.
(I of course am the only one with "helmet hair" from wearing a helmet!!)
Throughout the 3 mile ride we only had one complaint from Nicole. It came after riding uphill for quite a while; she saw one more hill and shouted "OH..COME ON!!" I had a good a chuckle and assured her that if she made it to the top it would be down hill from there.
Our next family activity was the annual Fun Run held at the Elementary school. This year we all wanted to run in it so we don't have any photos of running, however we did get a few of the girls before and after the race. This time I ran with Nicole and Dave ran with Emma along with the boys (in the bike buggy which can convert to a jobbing stroller). Nicole was so excited to run this year, she and I had been practicing on my treadmill, however she forgot to pace herself and after only 5 minutes in she got a side ache. Her and I ended up walking the rest of the coarse until the final stretch to the finish line. Emma however did SUPER!! The race begins with the 6th graders up front and then proceeds down through each grade giving them a minute space between each group. The Kindergartner's were the last to start, but before to long she and Dave passed Nicole and I, and several other grades too! According to Dave Emma ran the entire coarse only stopping a few times to get a drink.
(This is Emma with her best friend Annie)
(Nicole and her friend Anika)
(Emma after the race, sitting down with her class for the medals and participation awards)
I can't tell you have fun it is to have kids finally old enough to be able to get out and start doing activities like these. Though Carter and Cooper wont be able to participate on their own for a few more years, having the girls able to "hold their own" has made our families play time a lot more exciting!!
Finally, even though he can't ride a bike or run a race, Cooper has found his own way of going and going! He, as always, is getting into my things and making a mess - then while I'm cleaning up after him, he's off getting into something else. The day this photo below was taken I was on the verge of either crying with frustration or laughing hysterically. I opted for later. I threw my hands up, surrendered defeat and grabbed the camera. Cooper was kind enough to pose and proudly show off his lotion slathered body!
