A Bike Ride
I love to ride my bike. I haven't ridden it in like 2 years. Andrew and I used to ride our bikes around the neighborhood, at our old house. Currently, we live in a small, two street, neighborhood. I do NOT want to leave my street and go ride on other nearby roads, as that feels like I'm just asking to get hit by a car. Alas, I have not ridden much. Plus, Andrew doesn't want to go ride bikes with his mom anymore. He's too cool for that. Alexa- up until 2 weeks ago- did not know how to ride a 2 wheeler. GASP!!!!! She hadn't really seemed all that interested in it, and if Alexa's not interested in something, it's not worth forcing it. However- she decided she wanted a bike for her birthday. I was kind of surprised, but if it was something she'd do outside, then sign her up!
The first lesson didn't go great. It wasn't bad. No trauma. No falling. But she didn't "get it" immediately, and wasn't super interested after that. Several weeks went by, and I finally decided I'd would force the issue. She was going to learn to rid that bike doggone it! I took her over to school, where there was a grassy area, all wide open, and it was gently sloped. I put her on that slope, so she wouldn't have to peddle, but the bike would move, and then she could learn to balance herself. Suddenly . . . she was riding her bike like a maniac! We rode all over all the parking lots at school that day. We rode for like 45 minutes!
Since then she wants to ride all of the time. She's going to carve a trail into my grass soon, where she rides a loop around the front yard. She's convinced Andrew to ride his bike up the street with her. She's convinced me to ride up the street with her. Today, I took her and Andrew on a fun bike ride that included a stop at the frozen yogurt place.
Doesn't it sound so picturesque? A mom taking her kids for a bike ride. I mean, I just sound like I am winning the parenting game. There wasn't even a melt down. No yelling, so crying, no crashing- wait. That's a lie. Alexa didn't meltdown. She didn't cry, and she didn't crash. Andrew didn't cry or crash. I didn't meltdown. I did cry- from laughing at myself so hard. And I totally crashed. Hard. Like a TOTAL DORK!
It's been awhile since I've shared one of my "I'm a total dork" stories, so let me get all of it out there for you. You are owed this. First- I had on a fanny pack. Andrew HATES, abhors, and LOATHES my fanny pack. Which just makes me love it more. I only use it when I am exercising. It holds my phone, my car key, and today- my debit card. As soon as I dramatically whipped it out and slapped it on my waste, he was groaning: "MOM! Why?!!!" I can't ride my bike with a purse! I'd look ridiculous, and it would keep slipping, and getting in my way. The fanny pack was unobtrusive. Also . . . my bike is a little beat up, so the handle bars occasionally slip and are pointing to the right. It's not a big deal- I've learned how to steer despite this situation. But- you have the image of me- with a fanny pack on, and handle bars that are off-centered.
We rode to the yogurt shop with no incidents. It went perfectly. On the way back . . . Andrew decided to go a different way- "it was a short cut." Somehow Alexa got to giggling, which got me to giggling. Well- I can't sit and laugh at the same time without falling over. I assure you, I cannot ride a bike and laugh at the same time. I was riding along fine and then I tipped over.
The first lesson didn't go great. It wasn't bad. No trauma. No falling. But she didn't "get it" immediately, and wasn't super interested after that. Several weeks went by, and I finally decided I'd would force the issue. She was going to learn to rid that bike doggone it! I took her over to school, where there was a grassy area, all wide open, and it was gently sloped. I put her on that slope, so she wouldn't have to peddle, but the bike would move, and then she could learn to balance herself. Suddenly . . . she was riding her bike like a maniac! We rode all over all the parking lots at school that day. We rode for like 45 minutes!
Since then she wants to ride all of the time. She's going to carve a trail into my grass soon, where she rides a loop around the front yard. She's convinced Andrew to ride his bike up the street with her. She's convinced me to ride up the street with her. Today, I took her and Andrew on a fun bike ride that included a stop at the frozen yogurt place.
Doesn't it sound so picturesque? A mom taking her kids for a bike ride. I mean, I just sound like I am winning the parenting game. There wasn't even a melt down. No yelling, so crying, no crashing- wait. That's a lie. Alexa didn't meltdown. She didn't cry, and she didn't crash. Andrew didn't cry or crash. I didn't meltdown. I did cry- from laughing at myself so hard. And I totally crashed. Hard. Like a TOTAL DORK!
It's been awhile since I've shared one of my "I'm a total dork" stories, so let me get all of it out there for you. You are owed this. First- I had on a fanny pack. Andrew HATES, abhors, and LOATHES my fanny pack. Which just makes me love it more. I only use it when I am exercising. It holds my phone, my car key, and today- my debit card. As soon as I dramatically whipped it out and slapped it on my waste, he was groaning: "MOM! Why?!!!" I can't ride my bike with a purse! I'd look ridiculous, and it would keep slipping, and getting in my way. The fanny pack was unobtrusive. Also . . . my bike is a little beat up, so the handle bars occasionally slip and are pointing to the right. It's not a big deal- I've learned how to steer despite this situation. But- you have the image of me- with a fanny pack on, and handle bars that are off-centered.
We rode to the yogurt shop with no incidents. It went perfectly. On the way back . . . Andrew decided to go a different way- "it was a short cut." Somehow Alexa got to giggling, which got me to giggling. Well- I can't sit and laugh at the same time without falling over. I assure you, I cannot ride a bike and laugh at the same time. I was riding along fine and then I tipped over.
I was really laughing at this point, so I couldn't get up. I kind of rolled around. I knew I had to hurry and get up though- otherwise someone might stop to ask if I needed help. Unless they were a "Grace and Poise Coach" they weren't going to be able to offer me the kind of help I needed. Finally, I got up, got back on my bike and continued the ride with no major incidents. Andrew said, when we got back, "Mom. You're such a spaz." I know son, it's part of my charm.
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