More biking

Today, the day after Robin got his new bike, Englewood had a bike rodeo--basically an obstacle course with firemen there to help teach about safety.

When we arrived, Robin was a little intimidated by the sharp turns and precision aim he needed, so he ran it a few times like a balance bike, and a few more times with me or Dean holding the back of his seat for balance (though he did fine when we had to let go for space reasons.)

Liam ran the course several times too, on the balance bike he got for his birthday.

He's riding with his friend behind him, also on her balance bike.

Liam has already gotten so fast on this thing, and he's only had it a month.  If he decides he wants to go fast, we have to jog to keep up.

Then Robin abandoned the course for a while, and just biked around the big open space adjacent to the rodeo, accompanied by his friends.

He got his feet back under him again, and started going really fast.

After a while, I suggested that he try the course again, this time using the pedals since he'd gotten used to them again.  He did, and succeeded, and was absolutely ecstatic.  He ran that course three million times throughout the morning.  And he rode around in circles a bunch more, too.

And yes, it would be accurate to say that I'm proud of him.  And impressed.  It's one thing to hear about kids transitioning from balance bikes to pedal bikes in a day, and quite another to see your own kid do it.  My four-year-old is riding a bike without training wheels!  Whoo!!!  (He's proud of himself, too.)

A fire truck came by to visit, so the boys spent a little time exploring the inside.

There were also safety stations, so Robin learned a little about calling 911 and what to do if there's a fire.

The boys successfully wore themselves out.  It was a good day!