I decided after picking Hanna up from school today that I was not going to write a best seller, instead today was the day…she was off to great places and well on her way.
She was going to ride her two-wheeler around the circle, twice, without “incident” and then move onto her choice, drawing with chalk on the driveway. In a way, we were on the same page as we would need the chalk to outline the body for the CSI’s. I wasn’t sure if it was going to be hers from injury or mine from throwing my body to the Gods in complete and utter failure to do with me whatever they saw fit. Preferably, teach me how to train a child to ride a two-wheeler. Help me, help you…
Our middle child wants to try everything. She does not want help. She shrieks, “DO NOT TOUCH ME, I CAN DO IT MYSELF!” before attempting the most dangerous of stunts. Our oldest squeals, “DO NOT LET GO OF ME, I CAN’T DO THIS!” before squeezing the toothpaste from the tube unassisted.
Patience, I must remember to be patient.
Just as the feet she has dragged the entire length of the driveway, almost catch on fire from the rubber meeting the pavement, coupled with the momentum from the bike, she propels forward, her feet take flight, nearly making contact with the pedals and just like that, she ditches the bike. Literally, she ditches the bike. She drove directly into a ditch, dumped the bike and walked away sobbing.
Ellie: “Look at me! Look at me everyone! No hands!! LOOK MOMMY, LOOK!!!”
Hanna: “DO NOT LOOK AT ME! STOP LOOKING AT ME! IF YOU LOOK AT ME I’LL FALL AND IT WILL BE YOUR FAULT!”
When she does fall, if your gaze is within even 90 degrees of her accident, you are as guilty as if you had thrown her from the bike yourself.
This time, she was really sobbing. I place the baby back in her car-seat (sorry Chloe) and tend to her big sister who is acting more like a baby than she is.
Inconsolable and barely audible I hear through laboured breaths, “I’m not crying because I can’t ride my bike! I’m crying because WE DON’T HAVE AN INDOOR POOL!”
I did not see that one coming.
