The other day, Howard (and Tracey and Caroline) spent much of the afternoon riding their two-wheelers around the culs-de-sac near our house. During that time we learned that Howard doesn't really know how to use his breaks. Whenever he wants to stop, he rides his bike unto the curb and let's it fall over -- usually taking him with it.
By the evening, the three big kids were excited to show Daddy how well they were riding, and so we went out again after dinner and before bedtime for them to ride.
After steering his bike unto a sidewalk, Howard steered his bike back down onto the road...and collided with Tracey. They both crashed in a tangle of tires and handlebars. They both were wearing their helmets, of course, but Howard got a black eye IMMEDIATELY after the collision. It was already black by the time we got to him.
Through that collision, and the other crashes of the day, he was nursing some owies by the end of the day.
After we got home, and before bedtime, I asked if he wanted to soak a little in a bath to feel better and he jumped at the chance.
By that time, he had seen his eye, and he was exhausted and a little weepy.
When he was in the tub, the following conversation transpired:
"Hey Buddy. I know you're feeling sore and pretty banged up. But you know how you remind me of with your black eye?"
"Who?"
"A football player. Because football players get banged up a lot on the field and they get black eyes from playing. And when they come home, they soak in a warm tub because they're sore. You really remind me of a football player."
Howard looked up to me, and I thought he might start to cry... but instead he said,
"I've waited my whole life to be a football player."
After that he has worn his black eye with pride, and he made sure to put on his football jersey first thing the next day.
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