Learning To Ride
We've been taking the slow route in helping Simon learn to ride his bike.
Slow and deliberate with lots and lots of confidence-building praise and support.
While visiting my brother and his family we took him to a track to get in some more practice.
He was doing so awesome...better than ever with his balance.
I had the video camera rolling so he could see that he really was doing it. He loved seeing those videos and it was such a good reminder to me that he's a visual kid and seeing himself in action is a great teaching tool. My favorite parts of the video (which are much to shaky to share) are hearing my brother and sister-in-law cheering in the background as Chris takes his hand off the bike or Simon's back. There's so much love in their voices.
And then he got going a bit too fast around a corner.
There was a crash.
And lots of tears.
And lots of comfort.
And maybe even a bit of chocolate cake with the sentiment "way to go Simon" written in blue icing on top after dinner to celebrate all the awesome riding he'd been doing before the crash and maybe, just maybe encourage him to get on his bike again.
We were a bit worried he'd resist getting back on his bike after the crash but he was totally ready to try again.
Even a rainbow and a bunch of crows showed up to give him some support.
That willingness to try again after falling off...it's so huge.
He got right back on and was totally excited all over again.
Keep practicing buddy - we know you can do it!
Oh, I'm teary, now! So huge for Simon, so important for his parents! Go, Simon! I love things like this. Thank you for sharing, Ali!
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GO SIMON!!! I enjoyed reading this story especially since we also are slowly teaching our boy how to ride. GOOD LUCK looks like he is doing a great job!
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How awesome! I especially love the rainbow of encouragement!
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that is so awesome, Go Simon Go!!! :) We just taught my 10 year old how to ride his bike. We had been so busy with school work over the past few school years, we just didn't make the time. It took a few weeks of daily practice and now he's riding like a champ. I'm so proud of him (and relieved as well!)
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Go Simon Go!
I love the photo with the rainbow!
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A million high praises for Simon's determination! :-)
When my ds was learning, the bike had training wheels. After many weeks, my dh slyly started pushing the training wheels up a little bit higher off the ground every few days---something ds never noticed (neither did I actully!)......... After two or three weeks, the training wheels were up so high, they were nowhere near the ground!! Ds never realized it, but when dh pointed it out, the training wheels came off the bike and ds was riding without fear or falling :-)
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Riding a bike is such a huge milestone in a child's life. My Ryan, now 14, was reluctant to ride a bike. At 8 or 9, when asked why he preferred to skate over ride replied, "I'm just not much of a bike rider." Today, he is in fact a bike rider, but is eagerly awaiting his chance to become a car driver! So glad I have preserved all of these memories, because time truly evaporates! I was just telling a friend tonight how much you have influenced my scrapbooking, and as a result I am implementing the use of more words to tell our stories. For that, I thank you, Ali!
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GO, SIMON, GO!!!!
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Way to go, Simon!! I absolutely love the photo with the rainbow and crows- it just goes perfectly with his bike riding journey. :)
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Remembering back to when when I was teaching bike riding...
Make sure Simon is looking ahead to where he is going. it helps balance so much. The tendency is to look down at the wheel and this makes balancing harder.
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way to go Simon..you can do it !!!!!!!!
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This is wonderful! Good for Simon!
I rode my bike very late. I was in a bad car accident and broke both my legs at age 5. I didn't ride a bike till I was 8. But I was SOOOO excited when I finally did! I know he can do it! :-)
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That post gave me a lump in my throat. What a great kid. Love third photo of Chris right there supporting him, so special and lucky boy.
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It is wonderful that you captured this moment so beautifully. Brought tears to my eyes too....lovely. I also love the photo of Simon with the rainbow and crows in the background...how cool is that!
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From far away across the Atlantic all the way from europe there comes a cheerful "Way to go Simon!"
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we did this for months, ali, until i put my eldest on a lower smaller bike, where she could firmly plant her feet on the ground with bent knees. she rode instantly. and i've used that same bike with the rest of my crew....just a thought....
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Ali,
I just love how you share moments like this...Simon and Anna are SO fortunate to have loving, caring, and compassionate parents like you and Chris! Thank you for your willingness to share with the world. :)
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We can all relate to our own struggles and the struggles of our children. Whatever the issue we get ourselves up, brush ourselves down and try again! Whether we are 8 or 88! When I started taking Zumba classes a few years ago I had no idea how awkward I would feel or klutzy...surely this isn't hard? Whew...but in sticking with it I began to see that I was feeling the music and letting it dictate which in turn was easier and it all began to fall into place and then the instructor noticed my improvements...yahoo!
I recently read an article that talked about visually seeing ourselves trying something new, that watching others learn to dance (or ride a bike) plants itself into our visual memory...super idea about videoing Simon. Again you are such an awesome parent not to mention an encouragement to others in the visual arts field...
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The rainbow photo....so sweet and soooooooo perfect!
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This is such a wonderful story! Keep it up, Simon! Simon is one lucky little man -- such a great family. You are definitely an inspiration, Ali!
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Great Story ~ Way to GO Simon!
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Go Simon Go! Love the picture with the rainbow.
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What a beautiful story. I'm sitting here crying. My son just learned to ride his bike without training wheels so I can totally relate to the confidence building and encouragement it takes. It's always amazing though, to see your child reach yet another developmental milestone. Go Simon go!
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Go Simon !! That is so awesome...Lily took a n.a.s.t.y. tumble off her bike a few years ago and still points out the scar when I ask her why she's not riding her bike. BUT Dad just raised the seat and handlebars (again!) and she is riding more and more this last month. When you ride your bike as a kid, the world is at your feet!
I tell the girls that it's not summer, and they're not kids unless there are some scraped up knees and elbows (this bit of news is received with varying degrees of appreciation)
I love to re-live the kid moments with the girls, it's so bittersweet but wonderful to have the memories again!
Hang in there Simon, you can do it!!
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this is simply awesome! you go Simon!
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