On Sunday, for the first time, Olivia rode a pink, two-wheeled bicycle. This weekend we celebrated her eighth birthday, and she asked for the bike as a gift. Up until now, my daughter had tooled around on a smaller bicycle fitted with training wheels, showing no interest in riding without them. But Sunday after lunch, she announced she was ready to graduate. Tim took Olivia to our local bike shop so she could choose the spiffiest model. When they returned, Olivia showed off the bike’s features: knobby white tires, a handy kickstand, and pairs of reflectors on the spokes.
We live on a hill too steep for a bicycle, so the four of us piled into the minivan and drove to the nearest playground. Of course I brought my camera. I’ve missed recording many of my children’s milestones, but my daughter’s maiden voyage on a bike was not going to be one of them.
Tim, Mateo, and I cheered while Olivia zipped around the playground, her balance becoming steadier with each revolution. “It feels like flying!” she said as she pedaled toward me. Her face was open with a giant grin. Mateo jumped on his Razor scooter to follow behind his big sister, and together they formed their own parade. Learning to ride a bicycle is a huge milestone, and both kids felt it. At eight years old, Olivia has left the ranks of little kids and is becoming a big girl. I’m still getting used to the concept.
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What! Whoa, she’s 8 already! Excuse the cliche, but they DO grow up so fast. Joe leaves the nest June 23. And then there were none.
Keep enjoying the parenting ride. Like Olivia’s observation about riding, parenting is like flying, sometimes scary, but mostly wondrous and exhilarating, if we make the space to notice.
So true. I think I met Joe when he was about Olivia’s age, and now he’s off to college. Time is flying by, and as you say, it’s wondrous and exhilarating. Thanks for reading, Christine.
Jessica,
I love reading the adventures of O and M!
How great that Olivia knew that it was HER time to be able to ride a two wheeler!
Kind of reminds me of Graciela when she was ready to say goodbye to her pepe (binky). She really had quite the addiction (8 or more had to be sprinkled around her while sleeping) and one day she just decided that SHE was done. Just like that.
Graciela turns 8 in a matter of weeks as well and we too will be off to the bike shop to have her fitted. Most likely we will return with some shade of pink as well. Who knows though, she is really starting to surprise us these days!
Happy birthday to Olivia!
June
Thanks, June! Amazing our girls are now eight years old. Incredible story about Graciela’s pepe–the way they one day decide, and then it’s done. Such resolve! Happy birthday to her, too. We’ll see if she chooses pink!
Hey Jessica, I was thinking about you today…remembered that your book Mamalita was coming out soon…and so I googled you. What a treat to find your blog! I’m happy to see that your kids are doing well. Look forward to seeing your book in the bookstore in November!
Sylvia, how nice to hear from you. Checked out your blog and felt right there with you–fabulous! Hope to see you and your beautiful daughters this summer. Glad to be in touch.