Checked off the list...

Each summer for the past two years, Cole and I have crafted a to-do list of new places to go and see, things to do or try and of course some seasonal favorites such as "get ice cream" and "go to the beach". We did pretty well with crossing things off our sheet and had a ton of fun along the way. Each summer seems to pass faster and faster. I think we have a whole three months and wham, I'm stunned to realize it is mid-August already.

One of the last remaining items was "learn how to ride his bike without training wheels". Our neighbors had a bike the next size up in their garage and donated it to us for the cause. However, the bike was purple which Cole was not happy about. We explained that it was a perfectly great bike to learn from and once he could show us he could do it that a new bike was his! He made a few solid attempts with one awful crash and burn escapade where he lost control and veered off the trail and ended up careening DOWN HILL and literally catapulted over his handlebars into a bush. He shied away from the bike for weeks after that, luckily nothing broken or terribly bruised other than his ego.

We knew we would have to coax him to get back on it and try again knowing he was strong and coordinated enough to master it. Sure enough, with just a wee bit of hesitancy and Dave running along side, in a matter of 15 minutes, he was off to the races, his confidence returning and a huge smile beaming from his face. He will have to continue to practice but Santa will be bringing him a new bike this Christmas (blue and green as requested).

003 from David Denham on Vimeo.