Here is Dexter with his new Skipper Balance Bike!
It's probably no surprise to you all that I have been looking for a push bike for Dexter since early spring when there was still snow on the ground. Problem was, all the other little push bikes featured at the bike stores (wooden and otherwise) are too big for Dexter. And some of the ones I found online were just crazy expensive.
While I was out shopping with Crystal last week I spotted this awesome balance bike at the store Shambles, on High Street. It's adorable! More like a Vespa than a bike, and aged 2-5 so that Dexter can enjoy it for a few years before I can find him a bigger push bike with a proper headset and tires with inner tubes.
I think this little thing is classified more as a toy than a bike, but I plan to shove this thing into the Madsen's bucket so when we arrive at destinations he can paddle around while we walk.
I think he looks awesome!
Here he is with Dougal.
And here we are walking up a street. Oh man, the majority of pre-dinner was spent repeatedly walking up and down each sidewalk that was within a one block radius of the bungalow.
So far he seems to just like walking with the bike. He hasn't really figured out that you should sit on the seat and then paddle with your feet, but I'm sure he will figure all this out in time.
I am so pleased that I have found a little balance bike toy thing for Dexter! I am all for this no training wheels thing (I had mine for only a short while before I asked my dad to take them off because they were annoying). And I am also excited to be able to eventually walk my own pace with Dexter keeping up on his own two wheels.
11 comments:
He's so cute with this little scooter! This is a great find and a great way of getting him to learn balance, I really like this idea. Go Dexter!
S.
S - I think the best thing is they learn to touch their toe down when they need to stop or re-balance. The toe-touch is key to bike riding!
He is, as always ADORABLE! I never had training wheels, and taught myself to ride at 5 using one of my sisters' bikes. You guys will have such fun with this!
my friend had one of these for her son and loved it. And it really does help him keep up with her so they can go places walking instead of on the bike.
First thing we do at EBC when teaching kids to ride a bike (including in our special needs classes) is to take off the training wheels and the pedals.
Approve!
First thing we do when teaching kids to ride a bike (including in our special needs classes) is to take off the training wheels and the pedals.
Approve!
I completely agree about no training wheels! I had them for forever, but all I remember was listing to one side. I wound up learning on my brother's hot rod bike with the banana seat.
I'm sort of running out of ways to say how adorable Dexter is. But he is. That red bike is stylin'.
Inspired - It's true, he IS adorable! I think it's okay to say it repeatedly because he keeps on changing, so he keeps getting renewed with cuteness.
Milady - I saw this mama with her kid on one in Soho last year. I always thought the push bike would be a fun toy, but I never realized it could thusly promote a mama's pedestrianism.
facingrushhour - THANK YOU for this validation. My nanny and I were just having a discussion about this earlier. She said it would be much "safer" if Dexter had training wheels and I was like, "No man, that's old school. Welcome to the future!"
aem2 - I also learned to ride a bike on a banana seat! My friend Alexis used to double me all the time and one day we decided to switch places. We started at the top of my driveway (steep) and she helped push off. We had so much momentum from the downhill start that afterwards she just yelled for me to pedal and we kept on going!
Plus, she had her feet ready to put on either side if we were going to fall over, but it just never happened. We rode all the way to school.
I see lots of walks for you and Dougal around your hood as Dexter gets into scootering. By the way, he is quite the fashion statement- cool t and plaid shorts!
http://www.yehudamoon.com/index.php?date=2011-04-18
Chris Chan here again. Sorry for the double post above. I'm apparently not very competent with the Blogger commenting.
Great stuff! And what a cool bike! Look out E-Ville, Dexter is on the loose!
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