Today was one of those perfect weather days. Not too hot, not too cool, and zero humidity. Heaven. It seemed almost a crime to consider not going to the park.
Now part of this entry dates back to July 3rd. We had gone uptown to have dinner and attend the pre-4th festivities, when we decided it would be a good time to pick out Neko’s Big Kid Bike. My friend Jodi works at the bike shop, so Tom gave her the heads-up that we were coming. We had arranged ahead of time that she would move all the gender-neutral bikes to the front of the store so Neko could choose from them. Growing as fast as kids do, we thought a bike we could hand down to Shep would be a wise investment.
However, when we arrived with Neko at the store, she immediately developed tunnel-vision and barely even glanced at the red, green, and blue bikes Jodi had set out and immediately ran to the back of the store and stopped in front of the pink one with the flowers and basket and the tassels on the handlebars. “I want this one,” she gasped.
I’ll give Jodi credit, she tried to sell the other bikes by pointing out we could add baskets and tassels to them, but it was too late. Within the hour we were the proud owners of a pink, girlie bike. I try to remind myself we have another girl in the cue. And who’s to say Shep won’t want a pink bike with tassels and a basket?
Anyway, we took the bike to the park today, and she got it. You know, when the rhythm of the pedals magically clicks, and all of a sudden you can ride and stop and start with confidence. Soon she was zipping around the park, still with training wheels, but with the confidence of an experienced rider. She even made a few biking friends. And I noticed that every girl there had the same pink bike, and I suddenly felt a bit better about our decision. That bike must be some kind of rite of passage.
Poor Shep is still fighting a cold, and gave the tricycle a good try, but gave in to his exhaustion and happily climbed into the car to watch the Wiggles. While I fed Ellery and Shep sang along with Greg Wiggle, Tom gave Neko her first skateboarding lesson, which she adored.
We clearly need weather like this every day. Consider my request filed.
Comments
3 responses to “I want to ride my bicycle”
I love that Tom is setting a good example by wearing his own helmet and pads. Or maybe he can’t walk good.
Irene is the VERY PROUD owner of a VERY pink and girlie My Little Pony bike. She would love to ride with Neko sometime. Do you have a good bike path up there?
We have an awesome bike path that you can see from the play equipment. It works out great…play with the little people while the bigger ones do loops on their bikes. You guys will have to come over for bike day!