No training wheels, part 1.

Well, I've been lazy with this whole thing because our camera is getting on my nerves so I haven't been taking pics like I usually do. Anyways, yesterday we took our kids to the park and took the training wheels off Mataias' bike and what do ya know???? First try, he was riding....like wayyyyy down the street. It was crazy. I know we should have tried a while ago, but we dont take them out to the park as much as we should, I'm a little more confident there since Isaleina is pretty good at all the park things. It's a lot easier when you only have to follow one baby on everything. Anyways, Mataias was so happy, grinning from ear to ear and big old dimples, such a charmer. He didn't quite have the hang of stopping, so when he was ready to stop, he just pedaled onto the grass and jumped off. So, today, we took them again, well just him and Erianna. Isa was sleeping and Grama watched Kealana for us. He rode his bike all the way to the park, still not quite getting the brake to stop thing. But when we were there, he rode around the tennis courts and slowly got more confident in it. He fell a few times, but got up like a Champ and got right back on. So, by the time we went home, the ride was a lot faster, not as much stopping. Thanks to Auntie Jocelyn for being his runner, I was with Erianna and Eric was riding his own bike. So, we got home and he wanted Grama to come out and watch him ride with no training wheels. It was so awesome! His best, by far, he rode half way down the street, turned around (he had to put his foot down) but this time he started up all on his own, without the push from us and then when he was at the end, he braked and put his foot down, like he had been riding forever!!!! It was a big couple of days. I may have to take my camera out of retirement so I can capture the moment! Anyways....it was fun.
We are having so much fun with our kids lately. I love the stages they are in. We are just able to do different things. I can't believe that we are pretty much out of the baby phase, Kealana is in pull-ups now and Isaleina is completely potty trained. Mataias starts Kindergarten on the 11th of August and I still don't believe it. He has soccer next week, and Erianna is old enough to play too, so I am going to see how she likes practices before we sign her up but if she likes it, we are going to put her on his team too!
We have had so many out of town guests these past 4 months that we haven't had family time with just our family. We are so grateful that everyone takes time to come and visit us and spend time with us to get to know our little family.
I love my family. My kids are everything to me and although I get mad at them, I love them so much more every day. I am grateful for each of them and the differences that make them unique. There's not a day that goes by that I don't look at them and just think "How did I get so lucky to marry Eric and have such a beautiful family?" We are so blessed and I just can't say it enough.
That's all for now. Just wanted to add a moment that we don't want to ever forget!
GO MATAIAS!!!!!!

Before we know it, Erianna will be riding just like him, she really flies on her bike too! CRAZY!!!!! Where does the time go?????
(Originally posted July 13th, 2008)