Born To Ride

This is what we did for FHE tonight:

Austin has made huge progress bike riding in a short amount of time, and was determined to be training wheels free by his 5th birthday (a week from today).  However, when we decided tonight was the night to take off the training wheels, he literally screamed and cried as we took them off.  (It didn't help that big brother prefaced the whole evening by telling him he would be expected to go really fast).  We calmed him down and reminded him how scared he had been at first to ride at all, and then how good he had felt once he conquered that fear.  We promised him we knew he could do it if he would just listen to Dad's directions,  and not give up. 

My baby boy lived up to the name Grandma christened him with 5 years ago next Monday:

HE WAS A CHAMP!

I cannot describe the joy it gave me to see the happiness, joy, excitement and determination in our little boy's eyes.  He was riding with no help within 15 minutes, and rode for almost an hour before we had to drag him in, red-faced and exhausted but still begging to ride.  He said 5 words that my little boy doesn't say very often: "I don't want to quit!"  Tonight was a big night for Austin in more ways than just the training wheels.  He conquered a fear, rose to the occasion, and didn't give up, something he hasn't done very often in his short life.

Austin, my almost 5 year old, we are so proud of you!