Good Morning and welcome to another one of "those" weeks!
OK, school's done.
Summer, maybe not officially until Wednesday, is here.
Now, what am I going to do.
It would be very easy to let the children run free. Have a "Do what you want" kind of summer.
I think that would last about a day. Besides, if I really let them do what they wanted, it would be hiding in the basement all summer playing video games.
Sure, it would make the rest of the house quiet, but, you know, it's kind of nice outside.
How about we ride bikes? "No"
How about we throw a Frisbee? "No"
How about we put on the sprinkler and run around? "Water's too cold, so No"
OK, this is going to be a bit harder than I envision every June.
So, I'm in the process of planning out as many activities as possible. Keep them busy and they can't complain.
Yeah, right.
Showing posts with label Bikes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bikes. Show all posts
Monday, June 18, 2012
Monday, October 24, 2011
Rise and Shine --- Two wheels!
Good Morning and welcome to the week before Halloween!
One of the things we like to do in the summer is ride bikes. So, with everybody getting a little bigger, two new (actually used) bikes were purchased last spring. The problem for one was that meant no more training wheels.
So, we tried in the spring. We tried at various times throughout the summer. We tried before school started. Still, the one couldn't get over the fear of falling.
That's OK, I kept saying, you'll get it. Until then, we'll put the training wheels back on your little bike.
"No," was the answer. "I'm not a little kid. I don't need a little bike."
So, the Not Little Kid used a scooter instead. Road up and down in front of the house. Mile after mile throughout the early fall.
Then on Saturday, the scooter went away and the bike came back out.
"I can do it now," the Not Little Kid said. "Watch."
So, moments after jumping on the bike (her brother's, but let's not quibble), it was back and forth on two wheels.
"I can do it! I can do it! Look Daddy! I Can Do IT!" the Not Little Kid yelled with joy.
Yeah, you can do it. You're right, you're not a little kid any more. :(
One of the things we like to do in the summer is ride bikes. So, with everybody getting a little bigger, two new (actually used) bikes were purchased last spring. The problem for one was that meant no more training wheels.
So, we tried in the spring. We tried at various times throughout the summer. We tried before school started. Still, the one couldn't get over the fear of falling.
That's OK, I kept saying, you'll get it. Until then, we'll put the training wheels back on your little bike.
"No," was the answer. "I'm not a little kid. I don't need a little bike."
So, the Not Little Kid used a scooter instead. Road up and down in front of the house. Mile after mile throughout the early fall.
Then on Saturday, the scooter went away and the bike came back out.
"I can do it now," the Not Little Kid said. "Watch."
So, moments after jumping on the bike (her brother's, but let's not quibble), it was back and forth on two wheels.
"I can do it! I can do it! Look Daddy! I Can Do IT!" the Not Little Kid yelled with joy.
Yeah, you can do it. You're right, you're not a little kid any more. :(
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Rise and Shine --- They lied
Good Morning and welcome to the rain followed by the heat!
"It's not raining! Who said it was going to rain?"
Well, the weather experts keep saying we are going to get a lot of rain tonight.
"But, I don't see any rain," continued the precocious 5-year old. "It's sunny. I don't see any black clouds."
I'd love to take a nice, long bike ride, but I don't want us to get caught if there is a thunderstorm.
"It's not going to rain. I don't see any rain."
Let's just wait until tomorrow. If it does rain, we would get caught trying to scramble underneath a tree for who knows how long.
"Whoever said it was going to rain is stupid. Just look out the window. There's no rain."
Looks like I have a new weather forecaster. Who needs all the radar and fancy computers. It turns out a 5-year old has a little more insight.
So, for all you who waited for it to rain yesterday (after the morning deluge of course), here's an oldie but a goodie:
"It's not raining! Who said it was going to rain?"
Well, the weather experts keep saying we are going to get a lot of rain tonight.
"But, I don't see any rain," continued the precocious 5-year old. "It's sunny. I don't see any black clouds."
I'd love to take a nice, long bike ride, but I don't want us to get caught if there is a thunderstorm.
"It's not going to rain. I don't see any rain."
Let's just wait until tomorrow. If it does rain, we would get caught trying to scramble underneath a tree for who knows how long.
"Whoever said it was going to rain is stupid. Just look out the window. There's no rain."
Looks like I have a new weather forecaster. Who needs all the radar and fancy computers. It turns out a 5-year old has a little more insight.
So, for all you who waited for it to rain yesterday (after the morning deluge of course), here's an oldie but a goodie:
Monday, May 17, 2010
Rise and Shine --- Getting out
Good Morning and welcome to the calm before the storm!
If there could be better weather for a Sunday afternoon, I want to see it.
The temperature was perfect. The humidity was gone. The sun was shining.
So, that could only mean one thing: get out the bikes.
When I mentioned it over breakfast, a big smile grew on the face of a 5-year old girl I know.
Last summer, she was just starting to really enjoy bike riding. Every time it's been sunny since, she's asked to ride her bike.
So, we pulled it out, put some air in the tires and she jumped right on. Within seconds, she was laughing and yelling. "Look, daddy, I can do it all by myself."
So, I told the boys to get their bikes out and get ready to ride. Much to their chagrin, I thought it was better to just go around the block.
"I don't want your sister crossing streets," I must have said about 4,000 times.
The retort every time was: "That's not fair. We want to ride somewhere else."
So, after a few times around the block and a quick lunch, I thought it was a good idea to keep the peace.
"OK," I said, "we're going to ride up to the cemetery."
Now, that might seem odd, but when riding with children aged 5, 8 and 10, it's good to go somewhere without cars bearing down. So, we took off for the cemetery (about a mile ride) and made it there easily. There was laughing. There was racing. There was fun.
Then, it was time to ride home. You would think I was asking them to run a marathon.
"I'm too tired." "My legs hurt." "It's too far." Were just some of the complaints.
So, we battled home with some pushing, some walking and some riding. They pulled the bikes into the driveway and immediately fell to the ground.
Five minutes later came the next request: "Can we go again?"
If there could be better weather for a Sunday afternoon, I want to see it.
The temperature was perfect. The humidity was gone. The sun was shining.
So, that could only mean one thing: get out the bikes.
When I mentioned it over breakfast, a big smile grew on the face of a 5-year old girl I know.
Last summer, she was just starting to really enjoy bike riding. Every time it's been sunny since, she's asked to ride her bike.
So, we pulled it out, put some air in the tires and she jumped right on. Within seconds, she was laughing and yelling. "Look, daddy, I can do it all by myself."
So, I told the boys to get their bikes out and get ready to ride. Much to their chagrin, I thought it was better to just go around the block.
"I don't want your sister crossing streets," I must have said about 4,000 times.
The retort every time was: "That's not fair. We want to ride somewhere else."
So, after a few times around the block and a quick lunch, I thought it was a good idea to keep the peace.
"OK," I said, "we're going to ride up to the cemetery."
Now, that might seem odd, but when riding with children aged 5, 8 and 10, it's good to go somewhere without cars bearing down. So, we took off for the cemetery (about a mile ride) and made it there easily. There was laughing. There was racing. There was fun.
Then, it was time to ride home. You would think I was asking them to run a marathon.
"I'm too tired." "My legs hurt." "It's too far." Were just some of the complaints.
So, we battled home with some pushing, some walking and some riding. They pulled the bikes into the driveway and immediately fell to the ground.
Five minutes later came the next request: "Can we go again?"
Monday, August 24, 2009
Rise and Shine --- Oh, the humanity!
Good Morning and welcome to a new week!
So, that was certainly an interesting weekend. We started with tons of rain and ended a meltdown. In between, though, pretty good.
All that rain that came down Saturday at least gave us an opportunity to get the house clean. It doesn't feel so bad staying inside when it's all mud and wet outside.
Sunday, though, the sun came out and it was a perfect day for a walk.
Well, at least I was able to walk. First, though a little background.
Coming up in September is the Walk4Hearting at Ridley Creek State Park.
So, in preparation, Sunday was a good day to try out the 4.3 mile course. Then again, when dragging a 7-year old and a 4-year old along, there has to be a way to get them around the whole thing.
Bright Idea: Bikes.
So, we loaded two bikes into the van and made the way to the park. After getting on the trail, it seemed to be a great idea. The little ones were riding their bikes and not complaining about 'it being too hot' or 'I need water.'
So, the start was OK. Then, all of a sudden, one bike took off. Brendan, 7, seemed to a have a little motor on the bike (anybody who knows him knows there's a little motor in his body). ZOOM.
Now, you just can't let a 7-year old take off down a trail. So, when he didn't respond to 'STOP' something had to be done. Luckily, somebody in much better shape than me (most of the world?) ran and ran and ran until they met up.
The rest of the course was mostly running for them as I was able to trudge along with a 4-year old girl who kept stopping if she saw me running (thanks!).
Everybody made it around the trail.
So, as the pain in the muscles continues to throb for me, I say thank you for running. There's no way I could keep up.
Next time, though, I'm bringing the bike.
So, that was certainly an interesting weekend. We started with tons of rain and ended a meltdown. In between, though, pretty good.
All that rain that came down Saturday at least gave us an opportunity to get the house clean. It doesn't feel so bad staying inside when it's all mud and wet outside.
Sunday, though, the sun came out and it was a perfect day for a walk.
Well, at least I was able to walk. First, though a little background.
Coming up in September is the Walk4Hearting at Ridley Creek State Park.
So, in preparation, Sunday was a good day to try out the 4.3 mile course. Then again, when dragging a 7-year old and a 4-year old along, there has to be a way to get them around the whole thing.
Bright Idea: Bikes.
So, we loaded two bikes into the van and made the way to the park. After getting on the trail, it seemed to be a great idea. The little ones were riding their bikes and not complaining about 'it being too hot' or 'I need water.'
So, the start was OK. Then, all of a sudden, one bike took off. Brendan, 7, seemed to a have a little motor on the bike (anybody who knows him knows there's a little motor in his body). ZOOM.
Now, you just can't let a 7-year old take off down a trail. So, when he didn't respond to 'STOP' something had to be done. Luckily, somebody in much better shape than me (most of the world?) ran and ran and ran until they met up.
The rest of the course was mostly running for them as I was able to trudge along with a 4-year old girl who kept stopping if she saw me running (thanks!).
Everybody made it around the trail.
So, as the pain in the muscles continues to throb for me, I say thank you for running. There's no way I could keep up.
Next time, though, I'm bringing the bike.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Rise and Shine --- Coming back
Good Morning and welcome to the first day of the week!
Did you ever notice that taking a week off only makes you want to take another week off? Sure, there is something nice about structure, but there's something a lot nicer about playing baseball/basketball/riding bikes all day. Then again, being so far away from 10-years old, maybe it's just so much nostalgia.
One thing you never realize until you are way past that 10 mark is how good you have it. You go along day-by-day only to have your parent's put limits on your 'freedom.' Then, you become a parent and realize you never had more freedom. Of course, the argument is lost on the 10-year old (or 7-year old or 4-year old) when you tell them it's time for bed or to come inside.
That's even more evident during the summer. The temperature is nice. The sun is shining bright and there are a lot of noises coming through the window.
Where do you draw the line? When is it time to put the foot down firmly?
Well, I guess it's all an internal battle. Of course, when your alarm goes off at 3:15 a.m., well, that battle at least has a time limit.
Then, you have to fight through the sandman to fill the next day and the day after and the day after.
You just have to make it fun not only for those who would bounce off the walls, but for yourself.
So, what happened to my sneakers?
If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com
Did you ever notice that taking a week off only makes you want to take another week off? Sure, there is something nice about structure, but there's something a lot nicer about playing baseball/basketball/riding bikes all day. Then again, being so far away from 10-years old, maybe it's just so much nostalgia.
One thing you never realize until you are way past that 10 mark is how good you have it. You go along day-by-day only to have your parent's put limits on your 'freedom.' Then, you become a parent and realize you never had more freedom. Of course, the argument is lost on the 10-year old (or 7-year old or 4-year old) when you tell them it's time for bed or to come inside.
That's even more evident during the summer. The temperature is nice. The sun is shining bright and there are a lot of noises coming through the window.
Where do you draw the line? When is it time to put the foot down firmly?
Well, I guess it's all an internal battle. Of course, when your alarm goes off at 3:15 a.m., well, that battle at least has a time limit.
Then, you have to fight through the sandman to fill the next day and the day after and the day after.
You just have to make it fun not only for those who would bounce off the walls, but for yourself.
So, what happened to my sneakers?
If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com
Monday, June 30, 2008
Rise and Shine
Good Morning, Delaware County!
You eat right. You try to stay active. Well, as active as possible with work and everything else that goes on in this crazy world.
You take walks. You maybe run around with the children. You play some baseball. Some basketball. Some football.
Then, you realize you're really not in 'good shape.' What to do?
As a youngster, riding bikes was a daily thing. We would ride our bikes around the neighborhood, to school, to the store, to the ice cream shop, to our friend's house. It really didn't seem like that big a deal.
Now, with gas prices so high it's tough to afford the trip to the store, how about getting a bike? Sounds like a great idea, huh? Used to do it all the time. It can't be that hard.
So, hopping on the bike as the breeze blew Sunday night sounded pretty easy. Just a short ride, to, you know, ease into things.
Then the pain starts. The seat doesn't feel the same as you remember. The pedals? They keep slipping from under your shoes. Shin splints would be a welcome relief to the pain now in your lower legs.
Forget bike riding, where's the couch? Then comes a voice from behind:
"Come on Dad! Let's go a little longer! This is fun!"
The pain disappears. Let's Go!
If you have any cool links, photos or Larry Mendte sightings, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com
You eat right. You try to stay active. Well, as active as possible with work and everything else that goes on in this crazy world.
You take walks. You maybe run around with the children. You play some baseball. Some basketball. Some football.
Then, you realize you're really not in 'good shape.' What to do?
As a youngster, riding bikes was a daily thing. We would ride our bikes around the neighborhood, to school, to the store, to the ice cream shop, to our friend's house. It really didn't seem like that big a deal.
Now, with gas prices so high it's tough to afford the trip to the store, how about getting a bike? Sounds like a great idea, huh? Used to do it all the time. It can't be that hard.
So, hopping on the bike as the breeze blew Sunday night sounded pretty easy. Just a short ride, to, you know, ease into things.
Then the pain starts. The seat doesn't feel the same as you remember. The pedals? They keep slipping from under your shoes. Shin splints would be a welcome relief to the pain now in your lower legs.
Forget bike riding, where's the couch? Then comes a voice from behind:
"Come on Dad! Let's go a little longer! This is fun!"
The pain disappears. Let's Go!
If you have any cool links, photos or Larry Mendte sightings, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com
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