So Long Training Wheels!!

I don't know how to say this other than just saying it. HUNTER AND JP CAN BIKE WITHOUT TRAINING WHEELS!!

Hunter has struggled for a few weeks now with his balance. He was very wobbly when starting so he'd either stop pedaling and fall off his bike, or he'd put his feet down and drag then until he stopped. He would try two or three times and be done. This past week he finally got enough confidence and determination to keep trying. He almost had it when on his 16'' bike, but as soon as he hopped on JP's, away he went! 

As a reward, instead of animal crackers, I took the kids to get slushies. Hunter was SO proud of himself! He told our next door neighbor that "the next time you see me riding without training wheels, you have to give me a dollar." And that's exactly what she did when she saw him that night. He was so excited! The rest of the evening he walked around talking in his big-kid-i-know-everything voice. It was adorable!

That brings me to JP. From the time we started practicing a few weeks ago, he had it. He wasn't nearly as wobbly as Hunter, and could bike longer than Hunter. But he also would only try once or twice and be done. Just getting him to get on was a struggle because he wasn't motivated to even try. I offered slushies, frosties, dilly bars...basically anything to get this kid on his bike, but he just wasn't having it. He was great about running down the road for Hunter to chase him on his bike and very encouraging for Hunter, but he wanted nothing to do with biking on his own. Until I mentioned Ninja Turtles... Now he can bike without my help. I was lucky to get a video of him, because he didn't want me to watch. At. All. Or cheer for him either. He still struggles with starting, but once he starts, he goes and goes!

For learning how to bike without the extra wheels, Hunter gets to go with dad to pick out a new helmet, and his own golf club. JP also gets a new bike helmet, probably a Ninja Turtle one, or a green one none the less, and has also requested Ninja Turtle Playdough. He thinks it's something we can buy at the store, but I'm thinking about just making some green playdough and wrapping the container it's in with NT fabric.