A Rite of Passage

Emily got a bicycle for her birthday and since Annabelle's has suffered some trauma since moving here we decided to fix it so they would be able to play together. We've replaced both tubes and both tires. We've spent as much as the bike cost new, but we decided we were teaching a principle by fixing her old one instead of getting a new one when it wasn't a holiday or special occasion. On Saturday when Earl was replacing the tubes, he asked Annabelle if she wanted to take her training wheels off and she said, "no, not yet". On Monday, Annabelle ran in the house to ask me if she could borrow the neighbor's "two wheeler". It turns out that in the course of about 30 minutes, the little girl down the street had taught Annabelle how to ride without training wheels. I told her that she could borrow the bike, but that I NEEDED TO SEE THIS! It was the cutest thing. Annabelle would get on the bike and her friend Ellecia would hold onto the back of the seat, give her a little push and then let go. (The same things Earl would have done if she had let him teach her two days ago). Annabelle would take off--and she was good at it! It appears she has forgotten how to use her brakes on two wheels because whenever she wants to stop she will drive off into the little ditch on the side of the road. I'm so proud of her and because I remember a neighbor girl teaching me to tie my shoes, I think it's a great memory she will have of her friend teaching her how to ride.