bike rodeo

Every year, the elementary school holds a bike rodeo. They have an police officer come talk to them about bicycle safety, and if they choose to bring their bikes, they can participate in a 'test course'. There are a series of lines painted on the blacktop behind the school. Katie was familiar with the course, so she did her best to re-create it in our driveway for practice. First, you have to ride slowly between two lines. Second, you have to ride on one line without wobbling off. Third, you have to weave in and out of a line of cones. Fourth, you have to do 2 loops around a large figure eight. There were also pre-requisites that earned you extra point - all the proper bike gear: reflectors, headlight, bell or horn, helmet, etc.

Katie has participated every year, but this was Anna's first. Both of the girls had recently upgraded bike sizes. Anna dropped her training wheels and took over Katie's bike. Katie was given a more grown-up looking bike, a hand-me-down from one of our babysitters.

Anna was one of the few kindergarteners that was without training wheels, and she definitely had on of the biggest bikes. She was very excited, but nervous. She was doing great until she lost control of her steering going through the cones, and therefore lost her confidence. She was ready to give up, but with encouragement from the crowds, she finished the course. She was quite upset at the end, I think more from embarrassment than anything. As much as Shayne and I both enjoyed being there, she probably would have been able to hold herself together emotionally if we hadn't been hovering.

Katie was very comfortable wth the course, but was still a little wobbly on the big bike. She did great, as usual. When she was done, she asked me how Anna had done. When I told her how upset she got, she said "well I told her she would mess up and get embarassed if she didn't practice more." I said, "you said WHAT? to a 6 year old?" It certainly helped explain some of Anna's emotional drama. I know it's just big sis trying to help little sis, but let's re-think the wording next time!!!

The biggest surprise was yet to come. We pulled the girls out of school a little early that afternoon because we were leaving town. We missed the announcements at the end of the day stating who had placed in each grade level. When Anna got to her class Monday morning, she had a 3rd place trophy waiting for her! Hooray!