strider

grady has become a little pro on his strider lately. he got this bike at the end of the summer last year but didn't have much time to use it. now, if it's not raining and even remotely nice outside, he wants to be no where else but out on his bike (even wakes up saying "go ride bike"!?) and has gotten pretty darn good on it over the last few weeks - from wobbling and walking at the pace of a snail to speeding steadily, coasting around corners, and holding up his feet for long periods of time. i am now constantly telling him to slow down (i'm afraid he's going to crash while speeding around corners 50mph)-never thought that would happen! 

the point of the strider is for kids to learn how to balance on two wheels, gain confidence, then be able to  transfer to a regular pedal bike without the need for training wheels. they start off standing over the bike, pushing and walking with it. then walking a bit faster. then learning how to balance and slowly lifting their feet to glide little by little. after time and practice, they gain confidence. grady definitely has. so, we're thinking a big-boy bike w/o training wheels for his 3rd birthday :) i think he can do it.

notice the Lightening McQueen bell :)

cruising!

look ma! feet up!

this is hazardous, when he looks back at me...

hanging out in the wagon after our walk watching big brother zoom around

ooh....and yeah, grady is wearing an adult sized skater helmet. haha. we tried many kids bike helmets, but we just happen to make babies with large heads :) so...they didn't work out. but, we visited a bike shop in town and let grady pick out one that he liked and fit well. this one fits perfect. and because he got to pick it out and actually likes it, he has never thrown a fit wearing it! yay.