This is how I spelled it for Mary. H-G-K-F

Have a goal
Go for it
Keep trying
Finally, Success!

And this goes for Big Goals or Little Goals. For a little one like Mary, all goals are BIG.

One of her goals was to be able to ride her scooter well. When we first got it last Christmas, she was pretty wobbly on it and did not want to ride it.

Have a Goal

This past summer, having seen a lot of other kids enjoying their scooters, she wanted to get good at it.

Go For It

Mary started riding it on our trips to and from the neighborhood playground - three blocks of paved sidewalks.

Keep Trying

At first, she had to keep pushing with her left foot as she was uncomfortable with balancing and still getting used to the sway of the scooter. At some point, she got so frustrated that it was taking such a lot of effort and she still could not balance right that she was ready to give up. “I’m never gonna be good! This scooter is stupid!…” I did my best encouraging her— “…the only way to get good at anything is through practice… keep trying… everybody starts from the beginning… even I’m not good on the scooter, I need more practice… you can stop if you do not enjoy it but if you like it, just keep doing it and you will get better….” Got through to her somehow — Mary kept wanting to go on the scooter, especially on our walks to school.

Finally, Success!

This is a little downhill slope on our way to Mary’s school. Watch how she fearlessly goes down this hill with great balance.

And here it is, one more time…