Anna rides without training wheels!! Woo-Hoo!

For some reason the past few weeks, Anna's training wheels haven't been staying on. That translates into - she has been falling off her bike and getting really mad about it! So, finally Doug and I got sick of the issue and took the training wheels off. We had a talk to her about it and big ceremony putting the training wheels in the dumpster. But, Anna still wasn't too sure about doing this 2-wheeler thing all by herself.

So, it took her a couple days to feel comfortable. She would get going, realize we weren't holding one or running next to her, slam on the brakes (or just quit pedaling) and fall over. ???? (Why do that?? Somedays I don't get kids!) That would make her scream and cry and not want to get back on. So, we had to explain, or at least try to explain, that if she keeps pedaling, she will be fine. That was a hard concept to grasp for her.

Once we got that covered, we had to battle the issue of turning. She was so happy to go, but said she was scared to turn the handle bars. UGH! Finally I had to take the hard road with her and tell her that if she didn't start steering, she was going to have to stop riding. Well, guess what?? She steered -- turned and even turned around in the driveway which is much narrower than the church parking lot.

We are so proud of her! After a few days of practicing, she is now starting out all by herself also. Of course, we told her she was a natural! Especially since she is without training wheels a year before Gabe was. (If you remember last year, Gabe got his wheels off and took off like a rocket. He reminded us that he was more of a natural than Anna. Is that what they call sibling rivalry?!?)

The little video clip was taken before she could fully start out on her own. For some reason she went up on the sidewalk and couldn't get started again. If you look really close, she is on the verge of having a fit because she can't get going again. Patience is not her strong suit! She does such a great job though...enjoy! And yes, she is riding one day in a dress. She is such a girly girl tomboy! Has to have a dress or skirt, but plays in the dirt or whatever can make her dirty!!