Growing Up Isn't All Bad
If the internet is to be believed, I'm supposed to be incredibly depressed about this whole "growing up" thing right about now. I mean, SECOND GRADE. It's knocking on our door and resembles Big Kid Territory entirely too much.
Yet, I can't seem to get myself to be sad about it all. Surprised at how fast 7 years have passed, yes, but not sad. Because, well, this:
Alexis went from not being able to ride her bike at all to being bike trail ready in about a week. That's sort of typical for her. She didn't walk until she knew she could run. She wouldn't let anyone know she could read until she was ready for chapter books. She doesn't do anything part way, she goes ALL THE WAY RIGHT NOW OMG.
And "all the way" this time meant that she figured out how to ride her bike and then immediately started begging to ride bike downtown on a trail. It's a trail that we have visited many times every summer since she was born. But, this time she made her way down the trail the self-powered way, instead of inside a bike trailer like she did as a baby and a toddler. She had graduated to a bicycle built for two type contraption for the past couple of years, but that didn't require that she do any actual work. It's just a sit and maybe pedal once in a while because you're bored anyway sort of thing.
This time she was all on her own.
The pace was a little slow, but that was mostly because there were so many people to dodge all along the way. There was much stopping and starting, over and over and over.
But. 6.60 miles.
We usually do 10.
Not bad for a first timer, Alexis.
This is the part of growing up that's pretty darn awesome, if you ask me.
(The screen shot is from the iPhone app Runkeeper Free. It works just as well for cycling as it does running and walking.)
Monday, August 12, 2013
Reader Comments (6)
That is great! I am definitely like you, in that I am excited for my kids to grow up and learn. Do I miss the babies--yes! But while every other mom around me is sad about another school year starting, I can't wait to see what our kids are going to surprise us with in the coming year. It is amazing to watch them grow!
This is so funny - had you guys been on the trail just 2 hours earlier, you would have seen Alexis's old trailer parked at the base of the water steps!
I hear ya. Do I miss my little baby? Of course. But so many parts of my daughter growing up are SO MUCH FUN. And awesome.
I have to agree, 6.6 miles on her first bike trail? I guess she really did start by doing it all the way, huh? :)
That's pretty amazing. I have friends and relatives that practically collapse after 5 miles, and they've been cycling for years. She's doing a great job. Also, you might want to check out the app Strava for tracking your cycling. It tracks speeds, climbing, distances, and even compares your ride to previous rides and other peoples rides.
i am so wildly impressed and proud.
way to go, alexis!
Wait. I'm ALSO supposed to be upset about 2nd grade? Crap. I do everything wrong, don't I?
That said, I ADORED 2nd grade (and MAYBE fell in love with my 2nd grade reading teacher). I hope BB and Alexis adore it too.