We knew this day was coming – and coming soon, but we were still thrilled today when it happened!!

Hi Maya… it’s daddy jim.

Tonight was such a wonderful night. We have had a really wonderful week (lots of fun things including the Cobblestone teacher appreciation day and Mommy’s new car, Kiki!)… and you made it extra memorable by riding a bike on 2 wheels for the first time tonight.

We have been practicing a lot for about a month. We started with the first bike that Madeline ever rode (she was about your age, but she was a little older because her birthday is in February and she’s just a bit bigger). We tried to help you ride that bike on a bunch of evenings and you were making good progress, but Mommy wisely decided that you would be better off with a bike that was a little lighter… so she took your training wheels off the bike you rode last summer. She raised the seat a little and read some things on the web about how to teach you. Last weekend, you made great progress riding down a grassy hill in our neighbor’s lawn for about 30 minutes laughing and riding and falling down. Mommy practiced with you a few times this week, too… she would help you stay upright on the driveway and the street by holding on to your shirt to make sure you didn’t fall over!

The three of us had had a yummy dinner at the King & I, and Mommy and I were pretty sure you could just start riding by yourself. Dan & Madeline did their best practicing at a church parking lot on Highland Parkway where there were no cars and big open spaces… so tonight we took you to the Edgewood church parking lot. Almost immediately you were riding by yourself. It was a bright sunny night. We took pictures and recorded video. You turned in circles and almost ran into Kiki a couple times. You rode fast and laughed and then ran off the parking lot and crashed. Finally it was time to go home because you were tired (and maybe there was an “ow-ee”).

We sat in the hot tub and looked at the pretty sky. We are very lucky to watch your great successes and listen to your little voice and your big laughter.

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The next pictures and video were taken the very next day – You are a rock star!!! -Mommy

Look at that confidence!!

Puddles and Jeffrey joined you and Daniel for a well-earned drink of water after a successful time biking!!