The Making of a Bike Rider

The cute and tiny pink bike sat unused for a long time after Collins decided it was time for the training wheels to come off. Because when she tried to ride it like that, it wasn't so easy. So that's when the cute and tiny bike took a back seat to the cute and tiny pink scooter. She rode that for a long time and wasn't anxious to get back on the bike until recently. We asked her if she wanted to try again and she said she was ready to give it another go. I'm so glad she did. Because now she is an official bike rider! Here's how it all happened...

1. Bike obsession begins...Gigi landed a free bike from one of our neighbors which turned out to be the perfect size for Collins (turns out she had outgrown the old pink bike). Add in a new princess helmet and a brand new bell, and she was in business. She couldn't actually ride it yet, but she certainly looked the part! Addie became obsessed with bike riding too (even though her feet could barely even touch the pedals).  We heard a lot about bike riding that week; they were officially hooked...

2. Practice at Lacy...we practiced at Lacy but no luck yet. She was still scared to fall and was not sure how to take the rounded corners of the track. Brian held onto her most of the time, but would let go occasionally to show her she could do it. 

3. A Mother's Day surprise...Brian figured out that the House Creek Greenway trail would be a good place to practice because it's straight and flat. He was right. She did really well there, and decided to come back the next day (Mother's Day) and show me she could do it for real as my Mother's Day surprise. So sweet. :)

So we went that Sunday afternoon, and don't you know she did it! She rode her bike by herself! It is really a thrilling moment to see your child accomplish a milestone like that. We were so proud of her, and she was pretty proud of herself. She took several short rides on the greenway, and then we decided it was time to celebrate with ice cream. 

4) Sealing the deal at Lacy...this was so cool. Brian and Collins had gone to Lacy to practice, and Addie and I were going to walk up to meet them after Addie got up from her nap. We had walked up there in the BOB and were just hitting the top of the hill where we could see the edge of the Lacy track. I looked up and what did I see? This! Collins riding her bike determinedly around the track by herself with Brian monitoring her from the center field. It was amazing and brought tears to my eyes! This was the moment when she officially took off and became a real bike rider.

A really happy moment...

And then she was off! She started doing laps and hasn't turned  back since...

 5) Next level...she and Brian took their bikes to the Lassiter Mill Greenway to ride, and she was able to ride the whole 3 miles! She stopped some, but was able to successfully pass other bike riders, dogs and bridges and thoroughly enjoyed herself. Addie and I tried to keep up with her in the BOB, but had a hard time going that fast! Really cool to see her and Brian bike together.

We are so proud of her! I know all kids reach this milestone eventually, but it's really fun to watch it all come together and see their excitement when it finally happens. I love that she is now a bike rider!

 

The Secret Spot

I cannot count the number of times we have played at Banbury Park. We have logged countless hours on the swings, slides, sandbox, bridges, and creek. We've been going since Collins was at least two (sometimes on a daily basis), and know that park like the back of our hand.

Or so we thought.  

We were there one afternoon recently when lo and behold, we found a new spot. How is this even possible? Collins, Tyler, Reeves, and Addie found an opening in the woods next to the soccer field that led down a rocky path to the creek. It was a bit steep, but worth it once we got to the bottom. It was an open area in the creek with wide smooth rocks, a little waterfall, and little sandy spots perfect for throwing rocks in the water. It was a beautiful stretch of the creek that we had never seen before. 

Now every time we go to Banbury, Collins asks to go to the "secret spot". She tells her friends about the spot, and of course, they drag their Moms down the rocky path to the water. The secret spot is not so secret anymore. But it was a special surprise hidden within our favorite park!

A Trip of Firsts to Myrtle Beach

When I found out that Brian's annual bankruptcy conference in Myrtle Beach was being held at a new hotel that featured a water park, it got me thinking. Why not pull the girls out of school, go down with him, and let them experience the wonder that is Myrtle Beach for the first time?

It blew their little minds. :) It was definitely a trip of firsts.

Video games at a Fudrucker's dinner? Sure, why not. (Collins actually beat me in a racing game.)

A long elevator ride up to a room with a big bed just ready to be jumped on? Yes, please!

Closet doors with mirrors on them?!? Crazy!

A balcony where you can look out and see a shining red crystal in the sky? So cool! (it was the airplane warning light.) 

Powdered sugar doughnuts for breakfast, late bedtimes, three pools, and Putt Putt golf rounded out the reasons they thought Myrtle Beach was AWESOME. They may never appreciate our quiet pretty little beaches ever again. :) But perhaps our less than stellar sleeping conditions will persuade them that a hotel is not ideal. Collins had to sleep with us which was not fun because she is a tornado when she sleeps. And Addie woke up from her pack n' play bed the next morning to ask, "why my bed so tiny??". :)

We did beach it for a little bit the first morning, and it was actually pretty nice. There weren't many people out, the water was pretty, and they had some great tidal pools!

They had fun playing with a hermit crab and following him around the tidal pool...

Tiny Addie, big Myrtle Beach...

The water park was really cool- both figuratively and literally. Too cold for us girls to get in. Plus there was a gigantic bucket (or cup as Collins described it) that dumped out an enormous gush of water every couple of minutes that would have sent Addie flying. So we settled on about a thousand laps in the heated lazy river. :)

Collins loves swimming so much she pretended to not even feel the cold. Me on the other hand...brrr. It was a beautiful day, but about 10 degrees too cold to go swimming.

So the girls decided they wanted to go play mini golf (even though they had no idea what it was). We had just gotten the basic rules and golf swing down when the heavens opened up...on hole 3 of 18.

So we ran like mad to the bright pink Arabian castle where we took refuge for 30 minutes and waited for the hailstorm to pass. And tried to huddle together to stay warm! (They are picking up hail balls in this picture.)

The storm finally passed, we rallied and finished up our 18 holes...and had the course completely to ourselves. :)

Addie quickly lost interest in the game of golf...until a giant dinosaur came into view. Both girls left thinking that Putt Putt was the best game ever.

Unfortunately, the next day was even colder (what's up with the cold spell in May?) so the beach wasn't even an option. So the girls and I went shopping. They insisted on this one...

and this one (trust me, they got a MUCH smaller size). We truly got the full Myrtle Beach experience!

As we were leaving the lights and action of Myrtle Beach, we had the brilliant idea to stop in Calabash for lunch on the way home. We went to Capt'n Nance's right on the Calabash river, and it was delicious. The perfect fried seafood lunch and a pretty view to boot. Couldn't have asked for a better way to end our trip of firsts. 

 

 

A Parent Tea with Collins

The big final event of the year in the 4's class is the Parent Tea in May. Each year, the kids work hard decorating the classroom and preparing a performance for their parents. They acted out the book, "Caps for Sale" and Collins played a cute monkey. Then we all had lemonade and refreshments together out on their back patio. It was a sweet event, and it made me teary-eyed realizing this was her last preschool event. Ever. :(

My favorite part of the morning was receiving the interviews that Collins made of me and Brian. She painted a picture of each of us, and then answered several questions about her Mom and Dad. It was very entertaining (and accurate) so I wanted to share the results with you:

1. What does your father look like?
"He doesn't have long hair. His hair is brown. He's tall. I don't know how old he is. His eyes are blue. Here's something he doesn't like to eat: broccoli."

2. What is your father's favorite thing to do?
"Play with his girls and having a day off from work."

3. What makes your father happy?
"When I give him hugs before he goes to work."

4. When does your father look the most handsome?
"When he goes to work. He wears a shirt and some black pants. And black shoes. They just slip on."

5. What do you like to do with your father?
"Go get breakfast at Big Ed's. I get the big pancake."

Love, Collins

1. What does your mother look like?
"Her hair is brown. It's kinda long and kinda short. I think her eyes are blue. She's medium. Her birthday was after Addie's, and that's Christmas Eve.

2. What is your mother's favorite thing to do?
"Play with Addie and me. And eat desserts.

3. What makes your mother happy?
"When I give her hugs."

4. When does your mother look the prettiest?
"When she's going to church. She wears a pretty dress. The rest of the time she wears workout clothes."

5. What do you like to do with your mother?
"Go get ice cream. I like birthday cake ice cream!"

Love,
Collins

Obsessions for Miss C

After reporting on Addie's latest obsessions, it's time to update you on her big sister's "must haves" of the moment.

1) Mermaids...yes, this obsession has been going on for awhile. Meeting a "real-life" mermaid only helped fuel this fire!

2) Climbing...we cannot keep Collins out of trees, off playground equipment, off furniture. She is a little monkey constantly climbing something, and as a result, is getting some real muscles on her!

3) Desserts...this obsession is not a new one either, but her sweet tooth is a little out of control these days. Her eyes have been opened to the awesomeness that is gum, she asks for a dessert every day, and her new love? Cheesecake! She described it in the same way she does all things sweet... as being "awesome!".

4) New obsessions these days...singing, biking, and swimming. More details to come on these new loves!

Strawberries Ripe for the Picking

We were all set to "glean" with our church's service project "Scattered to Serve" a few Saturdays ago. We had on our boots and were all ready to get dirty when they decided they needed sweet potato bags more than they needed gleaning that day. I admit, I was a little disappointed, but then I had another idea. Since we were already dressed for it and our service project ended early- why not go to another farm and do some picking? So off to Page Farm we went for some strawberries!

Although it was gorgeous outside that day, it had rained hard the day before. I love this series of baby steps Addie takes into the puddle...they were just calling out to be jumped in.

The girls love Page Farm and know exactly where to go to have some fun...

When it came time for picking, Addie had no interest in doing anything other than eating lots of strawberries...

They were really good ripe berries...

It took us a long time to fill up that one box...

Collins decided her favorite part of Page Farm this go-round was definitely the puddle jumping! She came home messy, muddy, and happy. I came home dreaming of different recipes I could make with all the strawberries! :)