Two Wheels Good

I'm super proud of my girls. We rarely ride bikes - maybe just a few times a year - as the sidewalk in our neighborhood isn't that great (or safe) and most parks don't allow bikes oddly. But we had been talking to Addie about trying to ride without her training wheels and she decided to try it out.

We drove over to a huge multi-recreational park as a friend mentioned that the baseball diamond was a great place to learn - smoother than grass but less harsh than asphalt. We dressed Addie in long sleeves and pants thinking that might help a tiny bit with small scraps and scratches. Eliza took along her balance bike too. Well, not surprisingly, all the fields are being used on weekends but there is a really wide walkway.

Cap ran alongside Addie a few times letting go a little more each time. After maybe 15 minutes she was riding on her own - a little wobbly and not sure how to brake yet but she was doing it. We went back again on Sunday after 2 weeks and she was riding up and down and braking on her own. What makes me proud is her attitude through the learning process. She didn't whine, complain or pout while she was learning. She wanted to try a two wheeler and she went out and did it. It's this confidence I want her to have forever. Go girl!

While Addie was learning, Eliza, Xavier and I headed over to a grassy hill to see if Eliza might try gliding. Check her out. Fearless! I'm sure she could probably ride a real bike now too after seeing her here but Addie's is a little too big right now even with the seat lowered all the way. I wish we had had the balance bike while Addie was learning. Now we need to get Xavier a helmet and he can ride on the seat with Cap and we could actually go on a family ride. Now just to find a place free of cars . . .

H2O Break-through

Since Xavier was born he has screamed and screamed in the bath and the swimming pool. So much so that we rarely bathed him other than sponge baths (dirty little grubby baby) because it was so traumatic - for him and us. We experimented with warm vs cool, bath vs sink, sisters vs solo, with toys, with a ball. Nothing except hysteria. Then last night we popped him into the bath same as we normally do. For the first time, he didn't scream and try to scramble out. He stood there and asked for some rubber ducks. A few minutes later he was happily dumping buckets of water on his head. It was like a brand new baby! Maybe he will want to swim this summer too. Just maybe.

And happy birthday GranJanne!

Treats

We don't have much (of interest) in walking distance but we can get frozen yogurt with toppings.

#5 and #6

Addie lost tooth #5 while at school a few weeks ago. In typical Addie fashion, she forgot it and we didn't get it back home to put under the pillow for a few more days. Then at sleepover camp she lost #6 and that is lost, lost. In an apple. So she wrote a teeny, tiny note for the Tooth Fairy. We are waiting for #7 which has been loose longer than #5 or #6.

Santa Monica Airport

We celebrated Kieran's 4th bday at the Santa Monica Airport Park last weekend. Super fun to get up close and see the private plans take-off and land. All the kids loved it.

First Haircut

I swore when I had a boy that I wouldn't become overly nostalagic about his baby hair and when it was time, to give him a boy-cut. Good-bye mullet! He still has such baby wisps of hair so I only needed to trim the back which I did myself. Cap wasn't so sure but I promised if he ended up looking Pete Rose I would take him to a professional. I think Xavier looks all grown up. Only 3 more months until he's two!


Before. Party in the back.


After. California boy cut