something clicked with annie this weekend.
she said "let's try my bike mom"
i have been asking her for a year to try riding her bike….she was finally ready.
and of course she could do it almost right away.
showing me that she is six.
technically…..I taught her how to ride.
craig was gone with scott at basketball all day and i was home with the 3 youngest.
and i ran up and down the block.
i aired up the tires.
i fixed the seat.
but no one takes pictures of me doing that.
honestly though…..what is hotter than a man teaching his kid to ride a bike?
it is hot.
plain and simple.
mr. duerksen you are steamy.
this bike is old.
i think it was talby's first bike.
maybe….but it does the job.
the training wheels came off and it was time to go!
she kept falling and was getting frustrated.
she whined tearfully "I KEEP MESSING UP!"
and i said "well….maybe it's because it's your first day and you aren't quite awesome yet ok?"
to which she shouted at me very loudly "I AM AWESOME!!!"
i giggled and said "ok! then go be it! don't waste your time whining about falling!"
so funny.
by day two she was a pro.
she wore her soccer shin guards under her pants to feel safe.
there is a parking lot a block away and we spent a lot of time there this weekend….riding in circles.
and only one bike wreck. :)
we went to the store for helmets and then annie found the bell.
i think of "the family man" every time i hear it. (that's my bell. she took my bell.)
sean is so silly.
we tried to make him laugh and he made his OWN joke and cracked up at that instead.
while at the store i let talby pick out a bike.
hers got stolen last year and she has never asked for us to buy her another one.
she is sweet like that….she knows they are expensive and didn't want to ask.
so i said "which one do you want babe?"
i liked her choice…pink bike but a not-too-girly dirt bike….she was thrilled.
i could kiss that face forever.
and they all think it's just fine to grow up and be big.
BOO.
it's not.
their mom misses her babies.
their mom liked when they fit on the back of her bike.
their mom liked the tiny bike helmets with dora or dinosaurs.
doesn't anybody care about the mom????
i miss that stuff.
but.….this new stuff is pretty good too.
in the kind of way that makes you want to bawl your eyes out.
time is a mean…..thing.
(i almost said a bad word there)
Carol S - Sweet post Meg. A real milestone…the last one riding a bike. We’ve got no choice but to roll with this! Mine are 12 and almost 17 and I’m loving every stage. Looking at colleges with my high school junior, which is exciting and bittersweet, but if we do it right, they grow up good and ready to leave us and be independent. I can handle this concept now, with the leaving part over a year away. Not sure how I’ll feel a year from now when it is a “year of lasts”. Gotta believe we can do this! Happy Easter!
Crystal - Oh Meg, Meg, Meg. You know what I love about you? You get it. You get how AWFUL (yet wonderful) it is to watch your kids get bigger. It Breaks.My.Heart. Birthdays kill me. They make me sad. Pictures of my little girls when they were babies make me so sad. Why is it so heartbreaking? Most people I know don’t go through this. I truly try to hang on as hard as I can but just can’t make the time stop. 🙁
cam - 2 things.
1) I dig the shin guards. Always good protection when learning to pedal a bike. Last thing you need is the pedals smashing your shins.
(Presumably this was taken either before/after soccer, but y’know… )
2) The Basket kicks ass… what better way to carry mom & dad’s beers while you bike around the neighborhood?!
mel @ the larson lingo - I love that she wore her soccer shinguards to feel safe!!! That is AWESOME!!
Karen - The important thing is that you are realizing it Meg. You aren’t one who looks back and never took it in, in the first place. Then when your children are grown, and you are getting tired, and the grandchildren come along—there are no regrets. Just satisfaction that you did your best. YOU are awesome too!
Lanny - our little Annie …
Jennifer - My girls had that bike too! And I think I have the same bike that Talby just bought (I’m short so I got a kids). I have a lovely picture of my husband running down the street with our youngest teaching her how to ride a bike….with a beer in his hand. Haaaaaaaaaay baybeeeeeeeeeeeee. We’re classy like that.
Sarah - I love how happy your kids are. One day they will look back and remember all of the fun/normal/everyday things you do. This is a good reminder to enjoy the day-to-days time and make the most of ii because another stage is just around the corner.
Savvy - This post made me teary eyed….my lil man is 4 going on 24 I swear.
Having only one has made me more aware of time.
Love your post and pics. Thanks
kari - love this, meg.
and the shin guards…absolutely classic!
Kristin S - She looks SO happy in the pic with Craig. Nothing like a daddy and his girl. I’ll refrain from commenting on your comments in that section! 🙂 I love how you love your man.
Terrie - Okay…I started my morning reading this post…made me cry. My ‘baby’ turned 20—TWENTY! I thought about that…and cried again. So glad no one was home to see that! I feel your pain!
Just checked out the doodle eggs…you will be great at that! Did you check out her watercolor eggs post? Fabulous! I think I’ll head out and buy some watercolor pencils tomorrow! 🙂
Tracie K - Darn you! You made me cry 🙂
Dawn Eshnaur - I agree about wanting to say bad words! My 6’5″ “Baby” is about to graduate! Where did all my boys go? I have been crying every time I turn around these days. How could they all be grown? So very sad……:(
jennibell - Great! I actually liked it once my kids all got big enough to ride their bikes. . .and take out the trash. . .and take their own showers. But every stage is special. I see Annie’s tooth is already growing in — wow! It was *really* ready to come out!!! Hope the weather stays nice so you can have more days on bikes 🙂
AshleyAnn - The Littlest Pet Shop helmet with the front tooth barely poking out…priceless. That is a picture you will do nothing but smile at in the future. Sweet nature that Talby has…
carissa... brown eyed fox - it IS all about the bell ya know! :O)
i had a moment with riley this week too!!!!!!!!
those moments sneak up us… the tough/crazy part… it’s because they are growing up!
all too fast!
all good but…
make it stop! :O)
i love their smiles… yall all have the best smiles!
Staci - Agree…time can be mean…buttt, I try to think of new great things we’ll encounter….and then, having alllll the time you want for Mr. Steamy 🙂 But yes, I do love this time….which reminds me to get the bike back out and have my little guy give it a try 😀 Annnnd, I’m just wondering how many people are going to ask you about that house next door for sale….heeeheee….you know everyone wants to be your neighbor 😉
Lolli - I agree, my husband too…. so hot while teaching our son to ride. I coulda watched that all night. 🙂 Wanna see a picture?
mkpoggie - 1: Totally agree on the hotness of dads. Our daughter is still in utero, but my husband, who is tired of the stereotype that girls aren’t good at math, is already super excited to teach her to love it. I imagine this will make my heart explode.
2: Anybody else want to know Sean’s joke? I do.
3: People that steal bikes make me want to cry. Especially when the victim is a sweet little girl.
Tracy Fisher - oh yeah.. forgot to tell you my bike story…
Brooke took a month of scardy cat screams on “grass only” to learn to ride a bike as I exhaustingly watched and tried to help. Mason learned to ride in 30 minutes when I was at the grocery store because Greg offered him $20 cash if he could ride without training wheels before mom got home! haha
Tracy
Tracy Fisher - I have tears in my eyes. I get it!
Meg, I have a Father’s Day gift idea for you (if you are interrested). I posted the story of “I Love You” frames on my blog. It made me think of Craig when I went to your blog today.
Happy Tuesday… hope it’s sunny so you can all go ride your bikes.
Tracy (www.tfisherart.com)
April M - “I AM AWESOME!”
and I’m going to quit whining about the stumbles 🙂
thanks for that!
Courtney Walsh - wooohooo! Go Annie! 🙂
Ethan was six before he was ready to ride alone…now we just tackled the big bike (it’s a size bigger than the one he learned to ride on) and seriously he was ecstatic. It never gets old, does it? Watching them do something new!? 🙂
Erin - love this whole family! i think you should take another michigan vacation so that the michigan meg fans can have a big party!
se7en - You have the cutest kids… really, enjoy every second of them!!!
Alisa - Gretchen you are so right about the taking off the pedals thing – that way kids really learn to balance first and then pedal. We live in Germany and here most kids have a no-pedal bike made from wood when they are 2 – and then ride bikes at the age of 3-4. It is also common here to never ever even have training wheels – they are considered dangerous on curbs and they keep kids from balancing on their own. Kids also tend to be more fearless at 3. At the age of 6 they are more afraid and falls off of bikes are from a higher distance. Of course then you end up having lots of different sized bikes by the time kids grow up. But we ride a lot here and a bike is cheap compared to the price of gas!
Amber - I love everything about this post EXCEPT that the two older kids are not wearing helmets Yikes!!
Jennifer Evans - must be something in the air- my six year old learned to ride her bike without training wheels this week also! I know how you feel- breaks a mama’s heart!
Julia - I walked past the baby section at Target this morning and got all sad. Then I slapped myself upside the head and went to the beach…alone.
Laura Phelps - dang it
ok
I changed my profile back
it is me
Laura Phelps who should go to bed and not be reading blogs this late at night - Craig IS hot
and the bell in The Family Man…oh man, I cry thinking about it
my favorite movie
and I am with you on the BIG
not a fan
I have been stalking babies
Jack looked at me at the mall today..I was playing peek a boo with a baby
he rolled his eyes, and said, “come on Mom…”
we went to GAME STOP
no babies there
but BIG is OK I guess
I know
Let’s have margaritas to make ourselves feel better….
Jen G - I love how much you love your husband!:) And you are so right, nothing is hotter than your husband spending time and teaching your kids how to do something! I also loved the “I AM AWESOME” quote from Annie – I think I may use that when my children are mad at me about something or don’t like what I make for dinner.
julie - awww your post made ME want to bawl my eyes out! my youngest is 8 (almost 9!) months old. i know that sounds really young, but it’s not. she’s growing so fast. i tell her every day to stay little, but she just doesn’t listen. she’s stubborn, like all three of her big brothers. and her dad, too. i refuse to say i’m stubborn. ha!
Gretchen - Love it, Meg! My daughter just learned to ride sans training wheels too! And get this — it was in less than two total hours (spread over two days). I asked another mom how her little one (maybe 3?) was already zooming around on a bike with no training wheels and she shared with me the most amazing secret — and I have NO IDEA why it’s still a secret! (And incidentally, she learned it by asking someone she saw at the park.)
So I’m officially spreading the word here:
Take off the training wheels (yeah, a no brainer) AND take off the pedals. Yep. I said pedals.
Have them sit on the seat, make sure their feet touch the ground enough that they can push off the ground with their feet. Then lift the feet into the air and coast. Small coasts at first, but they get longer and longer. They learn to balance soooo much faster this way. I guess they’re not distracted with balance and pedaling. I dunno. Anyway, we found a spot at a park with a slight decline (nothing crazy at all) and then when she pushed with her feet she coasted a good long while! Her face lit up. It was like we were sledding — she just kept wanting to go back to that incline. Push the bike up, ride it down.
The pedals were back on that evening when we got home and …. she took off. Un-friggin-believable!
I remember all that dad time running alongside me as a kid, too.
I know what you mean — it’s bittersweet. So sad to see her not need the training wheels. But so huge to see her have her “girl power” — I’m guessing that’s her version of your “I am awesome!”
You go girls!
(And seriously folks. Try it. Take the pedals off. Make it a push bike. Takes less than a day. The balance clicks. Put the pedals on and off they go.)
Then you can sob. 😉
Sarah - Oh say the bad word…I think the same thing!!!
Lisa - Love this post! My youngest is 2 but is already so independent. I have baby fever. But I try to focus on the positives of my kids getting bigger… like no diapers, no toddler to keep busy while trying to watch my older kids activities, vacations being easier (they do get easier right?!) etc. its hard having them grow up for sure. btw I love that you let your kids dress themselves. I sometimes feel like I’m the only one whose kids are mismatched and not perfectly dressed! 🙂
danielle - go annie!
i love all these pictures.
come to new york and you can have a baby fix.
seriously. come to new york.
Necole - My almost three year old just let me know she was ready for school. This means I will not have any of my babies home two days a week. My seven year old already wants “to be left alone” so she can relax in her room. What is that?
elisa - Ha- Cole did the same thing while learning to ride- shin guards, roller-blade pads, etc. SO funny.
kat - Sweetness! This post totally made me tear up. It’s amazing how fast they grow up!!!
alaina - Dangit Meg….you made me cry!! The comment that dropped me was “I could kiss that face forever”. I have 3 of those faces, one who is 10, and he still lets me sort of, and 2 who are in college. Life is awesome at this stage and I am so proud of the godly men they are and are becoming, but I can barely look at those photos from their childhood without getting that “I miss you so much” feeling in the pit of my stomach. I remember telling my husband on their graduation day, could I have just 1 day back in time to hug and kiss and snuggle my baby boys? It goes quickly…but it is all good. Off to grab another box kleenex – thanks Meg!
Michelle B - I have a six year old that we need to work with getting those training wheels off – can you drive to Iowa to teach him? Because you do a great job! And here you are sad your babies are growing and I am knee deep in sleepless nights and dirty diapers and maybe wishing to get past this stage. I was just crying to my mom last night that how hard it is with a 6 year old, 4 year old and 8 month old..in which she reminded me that it is tough…but I will miss it. someday I will miss it. I guess I will. But sleeping all night and riding bikes sounds good too. 🙂
Andrea - Oh, and I also LOVE how much you are still in love with your husband and are not afraid to tell everyone how sexy you think he is! I love a man in a t-shirt and ballcap. Good thing – that is about all my husband wears when he is not in his firefighter uniform (talk about looking HOT!).
mandy friend - love your girl’s confidense. my daughter taught herself to ride a 2 wheeler…i felt like a totally crappy mom for not doing it. she just ran iun one day and said”mom, aiden took off my training wheels and i’m riding my bike”
purejoy - pretty sure your daughter gets her awesomeness from you. and yes, your hubs is hawt.
with a 19 {almost 20-year-old} and one that’s 21… my “babying” days are far behind. but not my mothering days. thank goodness. celebrating all their accomplishments… it’s a great thing. even getting big. hugs, mom!
Andrea - I love that my youngest, also 6, still wants me to cuddle with him every day after kindergarten. I remember pushing my oldest to walk, talk and do things – excited for each new step. Now I just hold on, hold on, hold on. I squeeze my little boy each night and tell him he is not allowed to get any bigger – he just giggles at me and says “you can’t stop it!” 😉
tara pollard pakosta - awwwww I hate that they have to grow up!
My daughter just learned how to ride a 2 -wheeler last year, at almost 9 years old! I was fine with that though!
hugs mama!
xoxo
tara
heather - my baby turns 7 today.
7!!! how in the world did that even happen?
time IS a mean, mean…thing. 😉
Ashlyn - I am with you. I have loved every age and stage they have been…but ooooohhh it is hard to watch my babies grow up.
I had one home sick yesterday, so I got to do some babying…which I love!
Great pictures!
Ashlyn
leonieke - yeah,.sure. new things are good too. But I so understand your feelings about the time they were babys! those little shoes, little clothes, all the hugs in the world, and especially the thing that they think there mother knows everything.
Gemma @ Musings of a gem - So cute! I really like Talbys bike : )
Gemma x
Shannon - Everytime I read one of your posts you make me want to have another baby! Everybody keeps telling me I can’t just have more and more because I want babies and I don’t get why they have to grow up then!!! Sorry all your kids are getting big, it really isn’t fair at all 🙁
Daniele Valois - I love how you always talk about your husband being so hot! It’s so fun, and lovey! I do it too, and embarrass people, and my kids!
robin - The look of glee on Annie’s face in the pic with Craig is priceless. It brought a tear, thinking about how all of our kids are growing up.
Judy @Considering the Options - Time does go by so quickly! Our boys are 13, 15, and 17 and I feel like life is a NASCAR race. New phases coming at me at break-neck speeds. And I’m busy trying to capture the moments – if not with my camera, at least in my heart. Savoring every moment!
Thanks for sharing and reminding us to enjoy life!
Darcy - I agree, Meg. My youngest is turning 7 today and I am so sad. (happy for him, but sad for me).
Kim - Love “I AM AWESOME!!!” and your comeback “ok! then go be it! don’t waste your time whining about falling!”
My youngest will soon be eight. He is cool and querky and says the most amazing, funny things. I want to freeze this part of his life.
Katrina - Time IS a meanie. I totally agree. My oldest will be 13 in two short short months. I keep thinking about your oldest hiding from the camera. I don’t want my baby hiding too. We do have some amazing kids though. We just need to try to grab some of those little moments (like teaching the little one to ride a bike) and hold them tight inside. Best wishes.
Tiffany - Mr Duerksen you are steamy, crack me up! He def has the whole shoulder thing going on, in a your husband is kinda hunky kinda way. Kudos to you too Mom, you hit the nail on the head, with no one takes pictures of me doing that…But they do, in their heads and they will remember in their hearts. Holla!
alyssa - time is a mean thing. they get so big so fast.
Jessi - “and honestly what is hotter than a man teaching his kid to ride a bike?”
I can’t wait for this in my family 🙂
Kimberly Dial - I agree … ‘time is mean’ …. I remember when my boys learned to ride .. yeah, back when they were boys & not men (31 and 28 sniff, sniff)… your children are adorable … enjoy!
Kimberly Dial - I agree … ‘time is mean’ …. I remember when my boys learned to ride .. yeah, back when they were boys & not men (31 and 28 sniff, sniff)… your children are adorable … enjoy!
JulianneB - Such fun memories. I taught both our boys, now 18 and 15 how to ride bikes. We didn’t have sidewalks on our street so it took a while. Naomi, our seven year old, basically taught herself. Over a year ago, she came in and asked for us to take her training wheels off. We did and warned her that it might take awhile to get the hang of it…it didn’t she went right out and rode by herself. The next day our neighbor girl, same age, saw Naomi riding and asked her Dad to take her training wheels off and same thing happened. From then on they have ruled the sidewalks of the ‘hood with their bikes.
Emily - I just love your blog! It’s the first thing I look at every morning and it makes me smile everytime 🙂 Thank you for doing what you do!!
sarah - I HATE that time passes so quickly.
Kenzie has been riding her tricycle, I will probably cry when she gets a big girl bike.
A man being a Father is so hot. 🙂
Kenzie saw the close up picture of Annie with her helmet on, and said “She’s pretty!”
Stephanie - Have you seen the hysterical bike helmets at Target? So darn funny! Shaped like different animals with ears and things sticking up from the top. I want one!
brooke - meg- i have two babies…16 months and 20 months thanks to the joy of adoption. anyway…it’s been a hard couple days with two tantrum throwing teethers. thanks for the encouragement to enjoy this stage…even though it’s tough.
your little girl is too much fun! and yes, she is AWESOME 🙂
Alicia @ La Famille - mine are getting too big too 🙁 almost makes me want to have another…almost 🙂
Jodi @ The Un-Soccermom Blog - super, super sweet. :o)
Zizette - We need to take the training wheels off my baby’s bike as well. I agree boo to growing up too.
Zizette
Sarah@this farm family's life - Cute. We are trying to teach our 5 yr. old how to ride a bike and she keeps saying when she is 6 she will do it without training wheels, but not right now. Maybe she is right….
melissa rice - Amen. I once heard at a conference the speaker said “men if you want to turn on your wives, play with their kids”!!! so true.
It goes by so fast… I wish they came with a pause button
happygirl - I can’t even remember when I didn’t want my son to grow up. I love hearing it from you. I enjoy your blog so much. I love hearing how your children are breaking into each new stage of life. Love it.
Ryanne - Good post. I try to remember the “growing up” part and time whenever I am frustrated with 3 under five. Thank you for the reminder and perspective.
Tess S - “I AM AWESOME” this will be my quote for the day. The Family Man is one of my all time top fav movies. (Maybe not all-time…)
Chaos-Jamie - I feel ya, Megs. Baby fever like you would not believe over here.
Rebecca - They DEFINITELY shouldn’t be allowed to grow up. I LOVE the movie Family Man! Nicholas Cage is so good! I love the little girl with a lisp, knowing it’s not her daddy when he’s changing the diaper and then knowing he’s “come back” at the end!!! Genius!
Have a great Tuesday! XOXO
Sarah @ Handbags*N*Pigtails - This spring will be my latest attempt to get my SEVEN year old on her brand new bike. She hated it last year. We had taken her to a big open parking lot to teach her in a wide open space and she had a really bad fall. Maybe if I wrap her up in bubble wrap she’ll feel more safe. Ya think?:)
Love the pics. They document this step of her life so well. And I totally know whatcha mean about babies growing up. Mine will be off to 1st grade in the fall and I cry every time I think about it.
You always hear “treasure these moments. They’ll be gone all too soon.” but you dont believe it until you’re THERE and by then its too late.
Have a great day!
XO,
Sarah
Dianne - She looks SO MUCH like Talby in that first picture! She is getting big! My oldest will be in kindergarten next year…and quite frankly…I’m in denial 😉
Sandy - I still have the cute little bubble (looking) helmet my son wore as he rode on the back of my bike 14 years ago. So sad…he’s 17 1/2 and over 6′ tall now. In some ways that’s not a bad thing, but I sure miss my babies too!
So sweet of you to surprise Talby with a new bike! I’m sure she was thrilled.
Heather R. - Cute. My hubby taught our girls to ride. He was so proud of himself. 🙂 I love the one tooth missin’ and the shin guard idea…sweet.
Ana M - You are truly and deeply AMAZING and AWESOME !!! I love to read your posts… Always funny and full of truth in every word… Tomorrow my youngest will turn 7 !!! She is the last child of the family and I’m already missing these days of childhood and innocence…bummer…but life goes on…We must cherish every single moment of theis lifes and enjoy just being with them…
Love