Family Bike Ride

Josh, Boaz and I (Craig is on a work trip to Texas) rode our bikes to get milk shakes.

We went between 2 - 3 miles. This is the first major bike ride of Boaz's life.

We had to ride on one busy road for just a bit.

I found myself as the barrier between Boaz and the world.

I tried to keep him out of the gravel, out of the goat head patches and out of the middle of the road.

He listened to all of my instructions. (Perhaps this is why they learn to ride bikes as young children and not as teenagers.)

He saw cars coming toward us four blocks away.

He applied left and right correctly.

We arrived to Rupe's intact. We ordered our milk shakes. We kept an eye on our bikes outside. If we do this again, I will need to get bike locks. I was a bit nervous.

We found a green belt along the rail road tracks less than a block from the restaurant. We relaxed and enjoyed our treat. Josh wanted to climb the trees. He got into one, but Boaz was just too short to reach the saddle.

We drove home another way.

Boaz had to practice stopping and starting. He had to practice riding right on the edge of the road. I talked about looking where you wanted to go and not where you didn't want to go. He missed the big pot hole.

By the end of the ride his hands were sore. He was holding on to the handle bars tightly. I told him about softening his grip. His bum was sore. I don't know any trick for that one. Mine was starting to get sore too. :)

We made it. I told him if he was a Bear (Cub Scouts) he would be able to pass off most of his bike patch (not really a patch but I forgot what it is called.)

A good Saturday.

Gaining confidence

Boaz is loving riding his bike.

He rode it to the end of the road and back about 5 times. (about 1/2 mile)

He is starting to get ideas. He asked if he was good enough to ride the bike to Rupes for milkshakes.

I said yes. Only one semi-busy road to drive on.

He is talking about family bike rides.

He is talking about riding bikes with his friends.

Now he knows that riding bikes is fun. Yea!

First day on the new bike.

I didn't get very far.

I am a bit embarrassed by how weak the lungs are.

But, I got on it and went up my road.

I had Journey on the ipod. I didn't keep up with the beat, but it kept me going for a bit.

I am looking forward to going farther.

It's a start. :)

When my world falls apart . . .

When my world falls apart, I'm glad it's not forever.

I'm glad it is easier to put back together than it seems. Sometimes when I am in the middle of crisis mode, I can't see five minutes ahead.

I'm not too sure how I started visiting crisis mode, I wish I'd give up my passport there and be satisfied with normal ups and downs.

Today, I am leveled out.

Life looks good again.

Our Backyard

 It looks like winter out there.

What happened to spring?

 Yesterday we bought me a new bike. It's pretty with a good soft seat. Josh teases me about how soft it is.

I am so excited to get on it.

Today, the day after we got our new bike, it turned into winter again.

Now I am wondering when I am going to get on my pretty new bike.

Cinco

Cinco is an indoor cat. By personal choice -- his.

His sister, Mayo, loves to go outside. She climbs the fence in the back yard and plays with the dozen horses in the pasture.

Last night, I let them both out, and forgot to call them in.

This morning, they were no where to be found -- of course.

After work, I called and called. I finally prayed for their safe return. They are part of our family, and the boys would be devastated.

I got up, and I saw Mayo immediately. She came prancing through the horses and up and over the fence and trotted happily to the back door.

I called and called for her brother. He was a no-show.

Hours later, Boaz saw  him on the horse side of the fence.

I went out to try and coax him in. He didn't want to climb the fence. Dumb cat.

I went for a ladder, and he showed up at the back door.

After almost 24 hours outside, the first thing he went for was the litter box.

What a prissy boy. He doesn't like to go potty outside.

But they are both home and the boys (and me) are happy.