Sushi and Bicycles

While Kevin has been working this weekend, Bradyn and I have been keeping busy.

Before Bradyn was born, I went through a phase where I made a lot of sushi.  I'm not saying I was necessarily good at it, but it was edible.  I mentioned to Bradyn a few weeks ago that we should try making some, but it never materialized.  Yesterday I suggested it again, and Bradyn was all over that.  We stopped at T&T on our way home, to get sushi rice and seaweed.  

Although she has been branching out lately, Bradyn's staple is Kappa Maki - cucumber rolls.  Here is Bradyn's first attempt at making her own Kappa Maki.  She did an awesome job!  (sorry that the pictures in this post aren't the best quality, but they were taken on my Blackberry)

Yum!!

Just before she turned 3, Bradyn received her first bike as a Christmas present from Grandma & Grandpa.  It was a lovely blue bike and Bradyn was excited to ride it around the living room.  Sadly, Bradyn outgrew that bike before she ever showed interest in wanting to ride it outside.  We tried a few times, but she wanted nothing to do with it.

One day last year, while driving up the hill on our way home, I saw a bike on the side of the road with a "FREE" sign on it.  I did a quick u-turn and pulled over.  The bike was a little rusty, but it was blue and pink and in working order.  Bradyn was in the car, so I had her get out and take a look.  She shrugged her shoulders in a non-committal way and said 'sure'.  Ringing endorsement.  I figured for free, what the hell.  Better than buying a bike off of Craigslist for it to sit in the garage.  I think we took it out twice last summer and used it for about 5 minutes in total (after investing $20 on training wheels).  Bradyn decided she was scared, and that was that.

Fast forward to this year.  We've been talking about her bike, but still no desire to get out there and learn... until yesterday.  Bradyn asked if we could take her bike to the school across the street.  Of course!  She was pretty shaky, and got discouraged really fast.  My first thought was "Here we go again".  We sat on the curb and talked about being brave, and that she had nothing to lose - nobody was watching.  We did a few runs but she decided the parking lot was too up-hill.  (um, no, but OK)  Down we went to the path that runs from the street to the back of the school where the playground is.  I had to promise not to let go of the bike seat, and then off we went.  We did a few runs up and down and then she called it a day.  (OK - I was walking at a brisk pace, but didn't have to actually run)  I was so impressed about her excitement over finally learning.  She couldn't wait to have Diana come today and bring her bike so that Diana could help her, and see how well she was doing.

This morning Bradyn asked if we could go back to the park.  She wanted to practice so she could get better before Diana came over.  After lunch, off we went.  I couldn't believe how excited Bradyn was.  She went right to the path and, after a few runs with me close beside her she said "it's OK, I can do it now mom".  There I stood and watched her go.  Back and forth, from end to end on the path.  Each time she'd go further before stopping.  It was adorable.... she'd get to the end of the path, get off the bike, pull it around, get back on and off she went.  There were a few times the bike went over, but she just laughed and said "I'm OK".  There were so many emotions that were going through me.  I was so excited that she finally wanted to try, happy that she was excited about learning, proud that she was actually doing it, and just a little bit sad seeing my baby do yet another 'big girl' thing.  I was also so happy to see her so proud of herself!!  You could just see her confidence growing with each run down the path.  It was amazing.  After probably a dozen runs, she decided she was ready to give the parking lot another try.  

She did a few short runs, but it was 'too hard' on her legs.  LOL

Back to the path where she was off and racing.  Here she comes....

... and there she goes.

So proud!

After an hour, we headed home.  Bradyn played in her room and I did some work.  (sadly, Diana and her family must have been out today because she didn't return our message)  About an hour later, Bradyn asked if we could go back to the park again so she could ride some more.  As much as I wanted to say no because I was in the middle of stuff, I knew there was no way I could squash this new enthusiasm.  Off we went.  Bradyn was talking up a storm as we walked her bike over to the park (it's all up-hill from our garage).  That little girl has big plans!  Next weekend we're going to buy her a new bike helmet (she's still using the Barbie one from when she was 3!!).  Once she can ride a little better, her 'reward' is going to be streamers for her bike handles.  Then a basket or seat of some sort so she can take Baby (her doll) for a ride.  Then, a bell.  I thought maybe she might want a new bike that didn't have rust on the tires and that we could raise the handlebars on, but no.  "I love my bike, mom".  I think my smile was as big as hers.

On our second trip to the park, Bradyn apparently decided that she was so good now that she could try going "off road".  LOL

Some days around here are pretty crazy, but today was one I definitely won't forget.  I just can't imagine how big my heart is going to swell when we finally ditch those training wheels!  The hardest part is going to be keeping my mouth shut, not pushing her, and letting her go at her own pace, no matter how badly I want this for her.  Bradyn said she wants to have no training wheels before Nana and Poppa come to visit at the end of July, so she does have a goal she's working towards.  Can't wait to see how proud she is of herself when she achieves it!