Judah's Growing Up (1)

Judah learned to ride his bike today.

He's growing up!

Judah made good on an agreement we made last week. We had talked about taking his training wheels off of his bike, but he told me, "Next Friday when Tanisha is gone." I was okay with that. He was trying to avoid the inevitable. But as the week went on, he got more and more excited about what was coming. So today when the weather looked great outside Judah was constantly asking me when we would start. This began at 9 am and didn't stop until I was ready.

The tension built up all morning long. Before that could happen, we had some cleaning to do around the house. I ended up cleaning bathrooms, the yard, mowing the lawn, and repairing Micah's basketball net. At this point Judah saw the tools out and immediately brought his ride over to be modified. I couldn't say no. As soon as I had taken off the training wheels, he ran around the yard showing our neighbours and their friends and family his huge accomplishment. This was about 15 or more people - our neighbours are getting married tomorrow so they had friends and family over helping them get ready. I don't think he missed telling a single one of them.

And then the big moment arrived! He got on his bike, Daddy holding the handles and seat, and down the grassy hill we went together. He kept telling me that he was "only going to go six times," so I held him to his word. We went down the hill six times. Each time he got better and better. His continual refrain was, "Just don't let go Daddy!" I listened. Mostly. After the third time down the hill, once he was convinced I was holding him firmly, I let go and jogged beside. He didn't notice until the next time when I told him I would let go. We went down the grassy hill at the church behind our house exactly six times. And then he  thought we should take a rest.

So I went to the house thinking I should get a start on lunch, and I hear laughter coming from the front of the house. Here's Judah hanging out with the brothers and friends of my neighbour, most of them groomsmen for the wedding tomorrow, and they're just killing themselves. The fact that some of them had become relaxed through other means didn't matter. Apparently he just came out and said in a growly tone, "Hulk smash .... RRRRRRRRRR." He did this while holding his training wheels and flexing. So I struck up a conversation with the guys - let them know he had never seen the movie - and Judah took off. And then Judah returned with a Coke for me and one for him, shaken not stirred. At this point the guys were more than amused. They may not have had Coke, but Judah didn't have to know that. The cans were red at least.

Anyway, after lunch Judah proved to me that he could not only coast down the hill, but he was beginning to get out on the gravel and pedal. And then he started himself on the hill! He's sure growing up...

- Mark

PS: One day later, Judah literally bikes circles around me, starts on flat ground wherever he wants, goes through the bumps, and has only dumped his bicycle once. He's doing awesome.