Apparently, jealousy is a good motivation.

After we were cheering for Mia for riding her bike, Jake felt that twinge of jealousy. "Why are you cheering for her for riding her bike and making me feel bad??" We explained that we were excited for her and would be even more excited for him once he figure it out. Anybody who knows me knows what a sore spot I have for Jake not riding a bike. For three years, I have encouraged, ran along side, practiced and bribed him hoping to get him to learn to ride. It just wasn't happening. I would have him ride with the training wheels, I would help him balance without training wheels and ran and ran hoping he would find his balance. It was just not happening. One day last week, he saw how Mia was practicing her two wheeler, feet not on the pedals just coasting along(something that I had been trying to explain and had even showed him before), when it seemed to make sense. He grabbed his bike and tried it himself titter and tottering all the way along...loudly. Do you know Jake? I am sure you can hear his comments. Jealousy drove him to keep at it.



Last Sunday, I let the kids "ride" their bikes to church and back. I let them practice some more during the week. That Friday night, I stopped at DI really quick after work when I found a shiny green bike just right for Jake. And it was only $10. I called Ry and went through all the details of the bike and I remember saying to Ryan that he had to learn someday and he had outgrown his little red bike. So, hoping to keep the encouragement up, I packed up the green bike and surprised it to him the next morning. He was thrilled! He immediately hopped on and fell off. Crap. Right over the rock wall, face planting into the mulch and grass! I thought it was over and done with. He would never get on that bike again. Thankfully, much to my surprise, he got back on. Phew!



He "rode" it all the way to the church for the Primary practice and showed it off to his friends. His friends thought that his bike was very cool! Awesome. Two points for Mama! I was glad that I let him ride it even though we were running late. On the way home, he did something that I thought that I would never, ever see. He pedalled his bike. Not just once or twice quickly catching his balance, he actually rode his bike! Hallelujah! It's a miracle! I was so amazed and surprised and PROUD! Just two days after Mia was seen riding, he was doing it himself. And he is thrilled to pieces himself.



Way to go Jakey-Jake! We love you and are soooooo extremely happy that you learned!!!