Building up to a big #2

Miles's birthday isn't 2 until tomorrow, but I managed to twist his mum's arm into letting me give him my favourite present from his parents a few days early: his new scooter. After some quick training at home, we headed out for its inaugural run at our local park, where the local lads often reach pretty impressive speeds.

We kept the velocity under control and gradually got the hang of it, mostly with dad pushing while Miles had both feet on board. After starting over-cautiously, I may have become a tad blasé, because down the back straight we hit a stray drink carton and the scooter, with Miles aboard, went from upright to horizontal in an instant. I thought he'd face-planted nastily, but his Evil Knievel helmet took the entire impact and he was on his way again in a moment. Lucky daddy.

Miles can now be found practising his scooter moves in the backyard or, in a short-sighted parenting move, in the house at every spare moment.

All smiles post scooting. Note scratches on front edge of helmet.

Ready for more action despite the fading light

Safety first approach maintained into other aspects of day-to-day life