Tired little legs
I set up a play-date with one of my girlfriends for this morning at the park. The kids were really excited about the slides and playtime. This morning as we were preparing to go, C told me that he wanted to ride his bike to the park.
I was very hesitant to let him ride his bike all the way to the park. On the way there, we go through a neighborhood that doesn’t have sidewalks. C isn’t supposed to ride in the street. An alternate route to the park involves a paved walking trail, but I wasn’t sure where to connect to it from our house.
I decided that it would be okay for C to ride his bike to the park. I rode my bike with J in the trailer (along with the blanket, peanut butter crackers and goldfish, sippy cups, and a few miscellaneous necessities). When we were leaving the house, I asked C several times if he wanted me to drive my car instead of riding bikes since it was quite a ways (maybe 2 miles). C insisted in his bike which was good exercise and I knew would tire him out for rest time.
C obeyed me really well and stayed near the curb. He had to get off his bike once to push it up the hill and another time a little house dog started to chase us, but it didn’t scare C. C just screamed at the dog. C and I got thirsty on the ride and C really like getting my water bottle off of my bike for me and him to share. J did really well, too. But, I would have too if I had been pulled in a trailer.
The park was full of kids (I counted at least 8 other moms) and C and J did really good playing nicely (I was amazed at how C was really good physically and verbally. J only acted up 1 time, was disciplined and then played well the rest of the time). When we first got there and I got the blanket down on the ground, C brought me the rest of our stuff from the trailer. He was tired from the ride and wanted to sit and snack a little. J immediately went off to play.
For the ride home, we took the alternate route of paved walking trails. It was very tiring for little C’s legs. At one point, he told me that he wanted to get into the trailer. I explained to him that he needed to ride his bike since we had no other way to get it home. C wanted to ride around the park on the park’s walking trail, so we did and then headed home. We would have stopped by the fire department, but the doors were closed and the fire truck wasn’t there. Major disappointment for the boys. Almost home and C finds that he has blisters on the backs of both heels. Ouch! Against my better judgment, I let him ride shoe-less the rest of the way. I couldn’t let his heels get bloody, but without shoes, he could have easily hurt himself more.
The boys have both had baths and are eating a late lunch now. I’m sure they are eagerly anticipating their beds. Good thing I made up their beds before we left. Smooth sheets always are inviting. I think I might take a nap on the couch as well. A 4 mile round trip is tiring this early into the spring. However, I can envision how we will be spending the summer! Life is good.