Challenge by choice

This weekend, we went on a family camping/hiking/biking trip to Lake Placid, NY. With a little help from her dad, her little brother and a cookbook called Lipsmackin' Vegetarian Backpackin', Anna Sierra planned our menu. Every meal was simple, delicious, quick and filling. 

I don't remember planning a meal for my family until I was much older than eight -- let alone a four day camping menu -- but we like to offer our kids lots of opportunities to push themselves and to master new skills.

There was lots of hiking, biking and laughing over the weekend. Some of the best times were at the Wilmington Bike Park where we practiced our dirt jumping skills. Anna Sierra and I both loved the "table top" jump in these pictures. At first Derek and I thought it might be too hard for her, but then we remembered this was the kid who had planned our entire weekend's menu, and we figured she knew what she was doing.

Derek and I had a little parental conference and decided she should wear her winter jacket as padding and away she went. Most of the time Anna Sierra nailed that jump. There were a few crashes and some tears to go with those crashes. But that just seems to be part of who she is -- eager to try new things and not satisfied until she's flown past her comfort zone.

Being the parent of an eight-year-old is full of tender moments and lots of surprises. When I'm not sure what to do, I often think back to taking off her training wheels and trusting that along with some falls will come freedom.

Happy riding!

Kathleen

Got family biking stories to share? families[AT]momentummagDOTcom