Finally...no training wheels

We have joked for the last year or so that Brandon (and Zach too) will go on missions with training wheels on their bikes. In their defense, we really haven't taken the time to teach them. We took the training wheels off for a week last summer and they didn't get it, so we put them back on so they could ride. Well, I came across an article on the web about teaching kids to ride. Here' s the gist: You take off the pedals and lower the seat so the kid is sitting with their feet flat on the ground. They use their feet to push and coast along. Once they are coasting with their feet up for 20 feet or so you put the pedals back on and they take off. It claimed you could have your kids riding in an hour, because they'd be teaching themselves. I figured what the heck...and it worked! Brandon is a now a bike rider. He and Jerry went on a ride tonight...it's amazing how much faster they go without training wheels. They can actually ride together. Great Job, Brandon!

Unfortuately, Zach is not quite tall enough to sit on the seat with his feet flat on the ground (he's on his tiptoes) so the method didn't work quite so good for him. So we'll either have to find a 12-inch bike to use or go back to the old "hold onto the seat and run behind" method. I'm sure he'll get it soon enough.

Summer's Coming!

Nate felt like such a big boy to be sitting with his brothers!

Play Ball!

Saturday was opening day for Woodcreek Little League and the T-Ball Sidewinders! Brandon played Pitcher for the first game and had 2 Sportscenter plays! Of course, only in T-Ball does the pitcher get to field grounders...but he had 2 that were hit pretty hard on the ground and he made great stops and the throw to first to get the outs...the 1st baseman even caught the throws :) It looks to be a great season. We are just amazed at the difference a year makes. The T-Ball division is for 5-6 year olds and Brandon's fielding skills are SO much improved over last year. Jerry is coaching his team again and having a lot of fun. Zach is so looking forward to playing next year. It's really tough to be 4 sometimes, especially when some of your school friends can play since their birthdays are a little earlier in the year. Oh and Nate is so much more of a pain at the games than he was last year. It was so nice when he just sat in the stroller. Now he throws pacifiers and keys in the garbage can and climbs on the bleachers trying to get hurt.

Blue and Gold Banquet

We went to Pack 507's Blue and Gold Banquet last week. The kids had fun looking at all the cool cakes people made for the cake auction. We ended up winning a chocolate cake that was super rich...Jerry and the kids all loved it. Brandon and the other boys in his den all earned their Tiger advancement. Here he is in line getting ready to get it. Another kid walked in front of me when he was actually getting it...so much for that picture. Great Job Brandon!

Student of the Month!

Brandon is the February Student of the Month for Ms. Wallingford's 1st grade class! Good Job Son! We're so proud of you and how hard you work everyday! Sorry we made you get your picture taken...we know you hate it!

Radio Disney Rocks!

Brandon and his Cub Scout Den went on a field trip to the Radio Disney studio to pass off the communication portion of their Tiger badge. He had so much fun! They got to see how everything works, but the most exciting part was making their own little blurb that will play on the air.
Here's how it went:
Brandon: What's up Sacramento!!
Ricky: This is Cub Scout Pack 507 from Roseville
Jacob: On Radio Disney AM 1470 Sacramento.
Samson: The only radio station that plays your music, your way.
Den 9: Radio Disney Rocks!

Snow much FUN!

We had a GREAT time at Brandon's Cub Scout snow trip to Soda Springs today. It was actually snowing and we had to use chains on the way up. And Nate decided sometime last night to remove the boys' jackets from the ski bag so they had to borrow various extra items from his den leader who amazingly had a closet in the trunk of her car. Seriously, her son is 6 and she had a size 24 month jacket to fit Nate. None of the boys looked like they belonged skiing in these outfits, but at least they were warm. We went tubing for a couple hours in the morning and then after lunch Brandon and Zach headed over to practice their skiing in the magic carpet area. They both did so great that they decided to try snowboarding too...they did great with that too. (They seem to have great balance...wonder why they can't ride bikes without training wheels?) Brandon says he likes skiing best (that's my boy), but Zach said, "Dad, I don't want to ski anymore. I just want to snowboard. I'm a boarder now." We're in trouble now. It was a great day and we practically had the place to ourselves. Definitely worth playing hooky from school and work.