On two wheels

One of Ben's New Years Resolutions for 2012 was to teach Isabelle how to ride her bike without training wheels. Now that we live in Houston with flat neighborhood streets and sidewalks we were sure it would be an easier feat. Isabelle had mastered her Razor scooter earlier this year, scootering with her best friends after school almost daily and getting really fast and brave and also learning the skill of balancing and steering while in motion. So when Ben decided he was up for the task and removed Belle's training wheels it was only a matter of seconds before little Jelly was off and cruising.

Since that day several weeks ago, Isabelle has become somewhat obsessed with biking. She biked to school every day in the month of October and was dressed and ready early each morning so that we had time to pedal the mile and a half before the tardy bell rang. (We figure just her commute to and from school was about 66 miles on her little bike in October.) On the way home from school she pedals any speed that she wants and direction she feels like and sometimes we get home quick while others we detour for quite a while before always return home sweaty and hot, dripping from the Texas sun.

Of course with Isabelle's new found passion we had to find a solution for Olivia. Most mornings she straps on her own bike helmet and hops on her little Strider bike only to be disappointed that she "can't go fast enough," so Ben quickly bought a bike trailer which has become Livi's new home several times a week now. She fills it with treats, books and sometimes a trumpet and sings as we go.

We have biked to piano lessons, playdates and Girl Scouts and Ben even joked about selling the truck since we no longer drive. When we visit friends and family, our bike comes along and even when the weather is raining or chilly Isabelle buckles her helmet and away she goes. It has been a fun month outdoors for all of us and our rear-ends are finally starting to recover from the bike seat bruises. Isabelle has really taken off this year, in more ways than one, and I can't help but to enjoy the view from behind.