There is huge celebrating in the house right now: the training wheels have finally been tossed aside for good! Ah yes, Ree and Ro have suddenly figured out those bikes and are going around and around and around our little backyard racetrack. They get better and more confident with each lap.
Here’s a little video I took of some of their very first loops around the yard. They’ve already improved so much that I really need to take another video, but this is fun to see:
Congratulations little sweeties!!
PS1: The new bike helmets with attached crowns were purchased at Target today – squuee! The girls (and I !!!) adore them. They’re by Raskullz if anyone wants ‘em. We think Aunt Jane needs an adult-sized one – maybe to wear to the next Leadville?!
PS2: Does anyone have any tips for buying bicycles for six-soon-to-be-seven year olds? Once the girls get a little less shaky and weebly-wobbly on these bikes we’ll look around at bigger ones. We’re thinking that we want hand brakes (maybe?), but don’t really know anything about bikes. How tall is the bike supposed to be in relation to the kiddo? I saw mostly 20” bikes in the kid section at Target (while gasping at the adorableness of the crown helmets), but they’d probably have way better selection in a sports store, right?
PS3: Can everyone tell who’s who with hair in ponytails or do I need to call it out? Ree is in the white shirt and Ro is in the lilac one.
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Every time I see it I am amazed by your breathtaking backyard view!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome milestone, LOVE the helmets!
Such a big milestone! And those are the perfect tiaras (I mean, helmets) for your princesses to be wearing... LOVE!
ReplyDeleteI would have the girls test bikes at the store. My 9 year old just switched over to a 20" and my 7 year old got an 18" bike. Our oldest son couldn't handle the 20" until this year, it was too heavy for him until now. Let them test the bikes and it will be clear which one they will need. We also got 18" bike with hand and back pedal brakes. I think that introduces them to the concept of handbrakes before you totally take away the foot brake option. Hope this helps!
ReplyDeleteAww, the girls are SOOOO adorable! May I suggest going to a legit, no kidding bicycle store? They will have the best quality selection and a very knowledgable staff member who can assst you in deciding on the size and features.
ReplyDeleteWe buy our daughters bikes at a local mom and pop bike store and have always been very satisfied with the quality and the fact that they put the bike together and service it after the sale is a win,win.
Can't wait to see their new wheels!
Yay, well done girls!
ReplyDelete16" is the standard for 6 year olds. My 8 year old just switched to a 20" and still has some trouble since it is so much bigger and heavier.
ReplyDeleteI found a cute 18 inch barbie bike at toys r us. the 20 inch was just too big (kid is 47 inches tall)
ReplyDeletego to a bike store. they know what they're doing and the bikes are not that much more expensive, but a million times better in quality, than the target/TRU bikes.
ReplyDeleteLove the helmets! They rock!!!!!!! You buy a bike based on the child's height. A bike store will measure your child and tell you what bike to get.
ReplyDeleteI figured you put the bracelets back on to help all of us who cannot tell them apart! I saw the left hand one and figured it was Ree.
ReplyDeleteGo to a bike shop. You'll learn everything you need and want to know from the pros.
Yep Ree on the left and Ro on the right, same as the original metal ones. Their sweet friend brought them back from a Disneyworld trip.
Deletego to Toys R US and have them measured, then hit the bike stores to look at bikes. I usually come back to TRU becuase the Bug is still growing and I figure at the rate he is growing, the bikes will last 1-2 years max, so not worth paying tons of money at this point.
ReplyDeleteThose helmets are to die for!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the video, such big girls!
Having a child who we were told her Physical Therapists may never learn to ride a bike, and then watching her toss out the training wheels at her 5th birthday? WELL, it's beyond me, so I leave all bike purchases to the Daddy. He's braver about these things. LOVE the helmets!
ReplyDeleteIf you can find a little mom and pop bike store somewhere, I can pretty much guarantee you one of the best shopping experiences ever. I've never been disappointed. It might be a little more expensive but they'll give you exactly what you need and the bike will be of a better quality.
ReplyDeleteI nth going to a real bike shop. A good bike bought at their age will last a lot longer than you may think. And as has been pointed out, knowledgeable staff and better quality. To which I will add, better service. Most shops do free tune-ups (basic maintenance) for 6-12 months after purchase which is a good value. Also, I used to work at a bike shop and we loved having kids come in - there was nothing more fun than getting a kid a new bike!
ReplyDeleteI, like others have said, highly recommend going to a real bike shop and getting them decent bikes. A lot of times the ones from places like Target, Costco, or Toys R Us are not put together well. Trek and Specialized both make fantastic bikes for kids and they'll be much, much lighter and therefore easier and more fun to ride for your girls.
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love those helmets! Now they will see how fast they can go!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to the girls! Aunt Jane!
ReplyDelete...did she do the leadville(100)? If so that is awesome!
Kim Evans
Kim, she did, and so did my little bro (the girls' Uncle Bobby). They got their belt buckles - they are TOUGH!
DeleteWow! That is awesome! Congrats to your brother and sil! Yeah
Delete...the buckle! My 9yr old races mountain bikes. Just today she placed 1st in the state for her age group! I was in your dtc group for our 6yr old daughter.
Hi, you haven't posted about your trip to Maui. Can I ask where you stayed. I am taking my family to Maui in January
ReplyDeleteOh, funny, I forgot about it. I need to put it on the to-do list!
DeleteWe stayed at the Marriott on the Kaanapali strip. It was awesome for a family. We had a 1 bedroom suite, and it had two full rooms (1 with a king-size bed and bathroom, the other with a living room, kitchenette and table and a second bathroom). The pools were awesome, and the kid programs were unbeatable (stuff like movies in the pool, necklace making, parents' night out, etc.)
Thank you for the info. Was it the Marriott's Maui ocean club? What tower does you stay at. I have not been to Maui in 25 year. My family consists of me, my husband, my daughter and her husband (24years old), my son (21 years old) and my 8 month old grandson. Do think the pools will keep everyone happy and is the beach close? We are celebrating our 25 wedding anniversary and my 50 birthday. There are just so many choices of hotels. Thank you for you time.
ReplyDeleteAny of the hotels along tha Kaanapali strip were awesome! With your big group you'll need two hotel rooms. The best map I saw was this one.
DeleteFor the Marriot, it was the Marriot Maui Ocean Club, we were in the hotel part and they also have timeshare parts that have 2 (and 3 I think) bedroom places that would be great for your group. The only problem (for us) with timeshare was that you had to do Fri-Fri or Sat-Sat and we were going to be there longer. I guess you could do that and then move to the hotel part if you needed to. You would need to book two separate suites or a 2-bedroom place with your group. Our family of four fit perfect in the 1-bedroom suite with a rollaway in the bedroom and the pullout in the living room. I don't know which tower we were in, but we were overlooking the pool, which was nice, since that's where we spent the most time. I do think the pools woulds keep everyone happy, and the beach is also right there, so it's up to you.
Oh, also, I'm looking at the ages of your son/grandson and they'd be too old and too young to enjoy the hotel kid activities, so I wouldn't even worry about that with hotel choice.
M3 , Thank you so much for all the info. And I have read the comments on your post thhat you did on Maui and now one of the hotels that I was considering is out (Sheraton) . I am leaning towards the Marriott Maui ocean Club. Do you happen to know if there is a separate phone number for the hotel part. I don't want anything to do with the time share part. Te number I found was 1888-236-2427. And by the way I love your blog.
DeleteYes 20" tires are the next step. My daughter just turned six and we purchased her a 20" bike. As long as their toes touch the ground. Because today it is their toes, tomorrow they are flat footing it. We took our daughter to a bike shop and that is what they suggested. Our daughter had the same small 12" tires Ro & Ree are currently riding and she is doing better on her big girl bike. Less wobbly since it is easier for her to pedal with a bigger tire. Make sure the helmet you purchase are a good company with a good rating. My daughter was just hit by another child and the extra we spent on a good helmet saved her. She had to have a CT Scan, Xrays, and even dental Xrays. We also learned about not doing stitches soon enough.
ReplyDeleteWe purchased on Bontranger helmet, if they have an accident they will replace the helmet for free. They are replacing ours since we just had to send it back.
Hope this helps. Happy Bike shopping.
Caroline, John and Hannah Grace :)
Love the helmets! Congrats on getting your training wheels girls! I still remember the day I did. I was so proud. :)
ReplyDeleteWoo hoo! Way to go girls! Great riding!
ReplyDeleteOooo....love the helmets! I almost succumbed and bought Hannah a new bike at Target yesterday on our way home but didn't....yet. My parents are heading to the States next week and I may still have them pick one up for her and put it away as a birthday surprise! With a February birthday I always need to think ahead to summer.
So fun to see your girls spinning around the back garden!