...and away she went

While biking home from the park yesterday afternoon, I casually mentioned to my sweet 5 year old that maybe we could take her training wheels off this summer. She didn't say much, just kept pedaling. In Isabel-speak, that means "We're done here. No more discussion, please." And so I left it. I didn't want to push her - I've learned how well THAT goes.

As soon as Daddy walked in the door last night, the first words out of her mouth were, "Daddy, can you take my training wheels off tonight?" We exchanged 'that look' - you know, the one that says, "I'm not really too sure about this because I can see how it will go down if it doesn't go well the first time for her."

Turns out,she's a natural. I held on for the first few shaky turns of the pedals and then she was off. Honestly. She had no trouble at all and just pedaled away. Matt and I just looked at each other in total disbelief and then I teared up. Of course.

As soon as I could pull myself away from watching, I ran inside to grab my camera. That tells you how unlikely I thought this whole first-time scenario was - I didn't even have my camera outside. I snapped a few photos in the beautiful evening light. I fell asleep last night feeling so proud of my girl and thanking God for His still small voice reminding me, "Don't doubt this one. She will surprise you again, and again, and again."