One girl, on two wheels

The hardest part of raising a child is teaching them to ride bicycles. A shaky child on a bicycle for the first time needs both support and freedom. The realization that this is what the child will always need can hit hard.
~Sloan Wilson












While Bailey and Max explored the East Coast of Denmark at camp,
Sophie took her turn "exploring" too... her newly "two-wheeled" bicycle. The main focus of her first attempts was balance. (Er, em after we lowered the seat a little! Poor lil babe is vertically challenged like her mom!)

She spent time pushing off and dropping her feet until she was sure that she had her emergency plan established. With that lesson under her belt, she began pedaling...and pedaling...and pedaling! Really, she didn't stop.

The most defining part of it all was that she did NOT want me to run beside her holding on. Not Sophie. She wanted to do it all by herself...and she did! She actually pointed out acceptable places for me to stand that were a good distance away from her while she practiced. Before I knew it...she was off. It was only after she was riding that she even allowed me to get closer, and then only on her left side a bit behind her.

The next sentance out of her mouth took my breath away, "Now, I don't need you anymore mom!", in the most proud tone I have ever heard her use!

Man, is this parenthood gig ever bittersweet! I shed just a few tears...without her knowing of course...and hope that she will always allow me to get "close enough" for the both of us! ;)