Riding a Bike

Kaylyn has tried a couple times over the years to ride a bike without training wheels. One of her best friends learned how to ride at least a year ago but even with encouragement from her, Kaylyn wasn't able to get her balance.

But this Spring, we determined this was the year!  Morgan wanted to try too.  So in April, we removed Kaylyn's training wheels and gave it a try.  Morgan wanted to ride too so she rode the same hill as Kaylyn, taking turns.

Some success was made as Kaylyn worked to balance herself down the hill beside our house.

And sometimes, she had to let Daddy catch her.

I love taking pictures, and I take a ton, just to get that ONE shot.  I didn't realize it at the time but this next shot I absolutely LOVE!

April 2012

The first week of summer break was also a week of vacation for Adam. I immediately announced that we had a goal - Kaylyn was going to learn to ride her bike.   She was not so confident.  We had Bike Rodeo for the cub scouts in just over a week and Kaylyn didn't believe it was possible for her to ride her bike.  Right after prayer for dinner, Kaylyn announced that during prayer she'd had a vision of herself riding her bike to Oklahoma, with Adam and I running behind her. 

So immediately after dinner, off we went to help her with her bike riding. 

 All it took was seeing herself ride her bike (in her mind) and then she was able to do it!

Sadly, this was not immediate.  First we had to go down the hill on the sidewalk practicing.  Somehow I missed those pictures - I was cheering.  And then when she got it, she forgot to use her foot brakes and the hand brake didn't work.  So being Mom, I "saved" her.  In the process, I flipped over her bike, crashing on the sidewalk.  It is now July and although I'm no longer in pain, my knee still shows my injury.  Kaylyn, though, landed in the grass without a scratch.

 After tending my wounds, I made her go back out and "get back on that horse".  And these last 4 pictures were the result - she can RIDE!

Swimming

It's been a while but here's what we've been up to the past 2 weeks....

Morgan practicing her back float - Day 1, with our friend Matthias watching

When Kaylyn was younger, we tried group swimming lessons a couple times.  The first time, Morgan was a baby and I sat on the side of the pool holding Morgan while Kaylyn had her lesson.  Then when Morgan was old enough for the Parent/Child class, we did it again.  Both of these times, Kaylyn was still in major sensory issue mode.  I know that she will have sensory issues for the rest of her life.  I know this because as we've helped Kaylyn, I've realized that some of my quirks are sensory issues.  I just assumed EVERYONE couldn't stand the feel of chalk and pushed through it - apparently that's not true.

Kaylyn on Day 1 with a kickboard

This year, we decided to try again.  I was a bit hopeful because of all that Kaylyn has accomplished this summer already - riding a bike being a big one.  Oh, have I not posted about that?  Guess that will be next.

As the class progressed, I got discouraged because neither girl was doing as well as I had hoped.  On the 5th of 6 classes, Kaylyn proved herself with the backstroke.  Yes!  I talked to her teacher asking if Kaylyn was going to pass Level 1.  The teacher said if she can put her face in the water for the freestyle.  If not, then no.  Kaylyn was discouraged.

Kaylyn - Day 2 - learning to Bob

Immediately after her bob - she really didn't like it.

Before the last class yesterday, I encouraged Kaylyn that if she wanted to pass Level 1, she HAD to put her face in the water.  She did it!  AND she jumped into the pool!  This is big, because normally she sits on the side and slips in, being careful that her face doesn't go under the water.

Morgan - Day 2 - "Timber" into back float

After class, I went with Kaylyn to get her "report card".  As the teacher handed it to me, she said that she had to write a new one because Kaylyn had accomplished those few things left to pass.  So we waited while a new report card was written.  Kaylyn is now ready for Level 2!

Morgan - Day 6 - jumping into the "deep"-er part

"What about Morgan?" you're asking.  Let me quote her report card "Morgan always listens and is so great to have in class."  Her teachers told me how impressed they were with her.  Why am I not gushing?  Because that's the normal for Morgan.  She is amazing kid.  I'm always commenting to Kaylyn that it's hard to be Morgan's sister, and I understand because it was hard growing up being Aunt Robbie's sister.  Sisters who are great at everything they try and are so popular with friends are not easy to be compared to.  But for both Kaylyn and I, they are our best friends!

Last class - Morgan going under for Ring Around the Rosies

Morgan definitely improved her swimming skills.  She can front float, and swim underwater.  She still needs to work on her freestyle and backstroke - swimming above the water, and treading water.  The teacher recommended that Morgan repeat the Preschool class if she takes the next session.  If we wait until next summer, she recommended signing Morgan up for Level 2 (with her sister).  Morgan is actually asking for Level 1 because she's confused why she doesn't have to take Level 1.

Kaylyn - Last class - freestyle swimming!

Kaylyn - Last Class - Backstroke

Last night, we used some free passes and headed to Chesterfield Family Center so that the girls could show off to Daddy what they had learned in swim lessons.  For the first time, Kaylyn CHOSE to go under the water park features that dump water on you.  What a summer!