Libby Milestones

Libby had a great week this week.  We had some more good weather, and some early release days.  I decided it was time they got out on their bikes again.  I put Libby's training wheels back on because a few months ago we had a huge debacle attempting to ride without them.  She tried riding around with them for a bit (they weren't level for some reason) and decided to take them off herself.  So I ran up and down riding with her for a minute.  It was clear right away that all the scooter riding she has done has helped her balance significantly.  But, she was pulling a Libby freak out.  I finally let her stop trying when she was crying so hard that her tears were flying off and hitting my hand on the handle bar.
She had a snack, rested for awhile, and then went for it again.  (After I threatened her with a screen time ban).  She did it!  I let go of the seat and she rode!  Down and back in our street.  She still didn't have the stopping and starting thing, or the turning thing, but I'll take it!  I can't wait to go on bike rides with my kids!  (Sarah is a ways from wanted to take off her training wheels.  We are going straight to a balance bike for Ben.)
The next day I took her to the park where she could ride around in the loop. She can start and stop (sort of).  We are a ways from being able to ride up hill, but it is a beautiful start.  She calmed herself down several times (including after she took out Sarah on her bike while trying to stop) and that was a big accomplishment too.  She discovered that when you ride off the sidewalk into the grass it isn't that bad!
We also had Libby's parent teacher conference this week.  Libby didn't do very well on her reading evaluation at the beginning of the year.  She was just above the level of qualifying for additional reading help, so her teacher went ahead and qualified her for the additional help.  She is pulled out each day for an extra 1/2 hour of reading support with a small group.  The improvement has been amazing!  The reading teacher came to our conference and said that she gives the kids thing to read that have big words for them to read and small words for her to read to them.  Libby is already reading the teacher words.  Libby also finally got into her first little chapter book.  She read about 10 pages without complaining that it was too much.  She was so interested in the story that she just read!  (The Rainbow Fairies are going to be the ticket to better reading!)  Libby's regular teacher said she has improved in other ways too.  Better attention in class and she is finishing her work.  AWESOME!