riding a bike

about a month ago we were at the park with friends. malachi asked me if he could ride his friends bike, the one without training wheels. i hesitated but thought he might as well try. so he got on and i held the seat for about 15 seconds, realizing he might fall when i let go. this i think was more of a lesson for me; holding on because i didn't want malachi to get hurt and realizing he wouldn't learn unless i let go. as a mother of 3 boys i think i will have many instances when i need to let go and let my boys make a choice that might have a painful consequence but totally survivable. so i let go. and malachi rode away and didn't look back. amazing! now he riding all over town with us, enjoying the bike path in Bellflower. last night as a family we went on a 3 mile ride and he did great.

ps: excuse the helmet, its mine because i couldn't find his as we raced out the door...

swimming

the benefit of having an older brother for abram is that he is exposed to skills he might not be ready to attempt, but he likes to do everything malachi does. which means swim. so abram started swimming lessons last week and he is swimming. this kid was also jumping off the diving board last summer with no fear. he was very ready to learn so he could ditch the swimvest. the first day he cried when water got up his nose. but on day 2 he told me he wasn't going to cry and he was right. his confidence seemed to go up a notch as well and he was ready to swim immediately. he is so proud of himself. so now we have 2 little fish. malachi's is also loving the water and his big accomplishments now are diving for rings and doing underwater flips. so thanks to the fieldhouse's amazing pool that hovers at 90 we are enjoying many swim days. the boys told me they will never get sick of swimming.

last day of preschool

this is the first time i have felt like i am living in a scheduled life as a mom with summer arriving and malachi only goes to preschool 2 days a week... but the year has ended and he had a great year. it was encouraging to see him make new friends, become more comfortable meeting new people, learn, and just enjoy school. his little brothers always enjoyed picking him up and bringing him back home to play.

Ms. Rosa and Miss Elise with Ely - Malachi wasn't interested in taking a picture with his amazing teachers...We are thankful for these two ladies and the love, energy and dedication they gave to Malachi this past year.

the boys in the class with two little brothers on each end...

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