Daniel has developed three new skills in the last few weeks. First, he's been working most of the summer to learn how to snap. One day it clicked and now he just can't get enough. He shows almost everyone he meets and sometimes will interrupt things like eating or reading just to test a few snaps, presumably to be sure it still works. It kind of reminds me of the "Spoonful of Sugar" scene from Mary Poppins. Something about those tiny fingers working so hard to make a bit of noise.
Second, he has mastered the monkey bars. My brother-in-law, wise in the ways of elementary school playgrounds based on his observations as a teacher, always says that ability to cross the monkey bars "separates the men from the boys in kindergarten." And, sure enough, Edward picked up this skill during the last school year. But Daniel, ever determined not to be left behind in anything Edward can do, swung and flailed himself about until he could do first one, then three or four (dropping down in the middle or calling for an assist) and then finally a set of about six or eight. Now he won't even consider a park selection unless he's sure it has monkey bars for additional practice. Thankfully, his arms still weary before his hands blister.
Finally, just this last week, he has taken to two wheels, and while he still has some practice ahead to become a confident, steady rider, there is no doubt he has what it takes.
He is beyond thrilled with this development! John shot this video last evening on the trail behind Grandma and Grandpa's house. Edward very graciously ceded his bike to Daniel for practice selecting the Razor scooter for himself. With just a bit of an assist in starting each time, Daniel rode up and down over and over. His main trouble seems to be concentration. If something catches his attention and he looks to the side, he tends to steer that direction as well and ends up in the grass.
But he was much better and holding straight and steady last night after only minimal practice since our first, spontaneous effort last Wednesday when I noticed that the park we'd ridden to happened to have a very long, flat, straight sidewalk--a perfect practice space. I ran along with him a couple of times and quickly could tell that, just like Edward at this time last year, he was ready to solo. (Too bad for Daniel he didn't have his own personal cheering section like Edward did!) Now we just have to find the next size bike for Edward and add it to our fleet.
