Learning to Ride

So this Spring we have been working with Larke a lot to learn how to ride her bike.  What does this picture have to do with riding a bike?  Let me tell you.

We tried many different tactics to help Larke feel courageous enough to ride.  This was one of them.  Gideon and Rushmore were tied to the tree and Larke was to save them from the evil Daddy by riding her bike.  The boys didn't last long enough to help Larke find her courage, but just long enough to take a picture of it.  They were so funny.  Gideon totally wanted his mouth taped and everything.  Crazy kids.  For all of those disturbed by this image, no animals or kids were harmed in the taking of this picture.
What finally got Larke riding her bike like a mad woman?  Well, it was earrings.  I promised her a pair of earrings that were up in my room that she has been drooling over, if she could just make it to the mailbox and back again without taking her feet off the pedals.  Well that did it.  She got another pair for making it around the block without having to stop.  She got a third for participating in a long family bike ride which she did just a week or two ago.  We biked 5 miles round trip and we had a great time doing it.  She didn't even complain.  Man I wish they would trust me more.  I told her a hundred times that she would love it once she learned.  I'm just glad I guess that she really does love it and gets better at it everyday.