School!

Maddie's in Mrs. McFarland's second grade class.  Mrs. McFarland is sensational-- she's started the year off with lots of challenging homework.  Each night has a math worksheet, word study, and 20 minutes of reading.

Maddie's already had a do-at-home project on Egypt.  She made a mummy mask sculpture and a scarab sculpture.  The Egypt unit has had enough of an effect on her that she's decided to be an Egyptian princess for Halloween.

up to six and one half
       years

 size
      -  50 inches
      -  53 pounds

activities
      - school
      - soccer
      - piano lessons
      - trip to San Francisco


 interests
      - writing
      - reading
      - art
      - bike riding
maddie diary   fall 2004
  
Finally: Riding a Bike

I blame myself.  On her birthday in May '03, she was barely large enough to get a 20" (I think) bike.  Thinking she would have it for several years, and wanting to make sure the bike truly fit her,  I chose that over the 16" version.  Yes, it was the "perfect fit", but it was a danged big vehicle. 

That caused a problem with learning on training wheels-- the center of gravity was so high that it was fairly harrowing.  And it caused a problem when learning without training wheels.  I'd take her out, and she'd be afraid when I was holding her up, and petrified if I even moved my hands a fraction of an inch away.

After much frustration and zero progress, we finally borrowed a 16' bike.  The first session was not promising.  Then, while I was working on the backyard, Maddie took the bike out and pretty much taught herself to ride.  At 10am, no ability to pedal the bike.  By 11am, occasionally putting a few rotations together.  By noon, able to go in a straight line for many yards.  That afternoon, able to brake and ride in large circles on a flat surface.

The next day, able to control her speed with the brake, ride on grass, and ride on the bike path.  Delightful.  The first purely athletic activity that she's craved.  Now, when I ask if she'd like to go for a ride, she nags ME to get ready: "What are you doing, mister?  Why aren't you getting your shoes on?"