This past weekend we traveled to celebrate birthdays with Ryan's families. Ellie and her cousin are 1 year and 2 weeks apart. Gifts were carefully selected on both sides. Ellie received new things for her Elizabeth Doll collection and we gave a few American Girl gifts, too.
Abby got big girl bedding from her parents and from her grandparents, a balance bike. Balance Bikes* seem to have come out of nowhere and are getting super popular. The theory is that you give a preschooler a bike without wheels that they can scoot and eventually coast on, when they get their first real two wheeler no training wheels are needed.
Three year old Abby wasn't filled in on this concept. As her orange Strider bike was wheeled out as the big surprise, she was squealing with excitement until -
Until she noticed there were no pedals.
"Oh no! My bike doesn't have any pedals!" she cried.
Ellie was sitting next to her and unfamiliar with the balance bike concept as well. Seeing her cousin upset she leaned over and said, "It's OK, Abby! At least it has wheels!"
But before long Abby was scooting around and even beginning to coast. Pedals or not, the bike was a hit.
Does your child have a balance bike? We missed the window with Ellie but Mads might love one next year. What do you think?
*Balance Bikes are frequently listed at BabyDealsDujour.com for up to 50% off!
I think balance bikes are an awesome concept! Our neighbor got one 2 years ago and at the age of 4 1/2 he was riding without training wheels. I actually one an awesome prince lionheart one this winter that is wood and pink. Mia hasn't gotten to test it out except in the house. But it looks cool!;)
ReplyDeleteI wish they had these when my daughter was a toddler! I got my daughter a scooter from this one comapny and they sell the Balance Bikes as well. I have a link to them on my site. My daughter and I both have the Trikke carving scooter from the company and they are awesome!
ReplyDeleteBrianna
www.girlscurls.blogspot.com
i have heard of those before....but i'm seriously thinking about taking the "redneck route" and just removing the pedals from hannah and chandler's bikes because i am OVER the whole training wheels thing ;)
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ReplyDeleteSent my Give It To Me Tara--Mid Week Mingle :)
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Thanks for the post!
ReplyDeleteAbby loves her new bike and we are waiting for the "magic moment" when her feet leave the ground. We will keep you guys posted, of course!
Thanks for such a fun weekend!
Aunt Amanda