An Eternal Family: Bikes, Roses, and Firefighters! A day in my life.

One thing our family has become passionate about is biking on the over 76 miles of greenbelts in our town. Greenbelts are sidewalks that weave through the forests around our houses, parks, schools, and everything else in town. I had an old orange men's beach cruiser that I got for $20 on craigslist. It has been great! I got a Wee-Ridge Kangaroo seat which is the BEST INVENTION EVER! It allows your kiddo to sit between you and the handle bars, thereby maximizing not only safety and balance but also interaction! It's amazing! Well, as Little Man got heavier back peddling as a way of breaking became less effective. I realized if we were to keep biking I needed a safer bike.

I got the Electra townie which is an credible ride! It's perfect for what he & I need. The minivan has been left and forgotten and Little Man and I ride ALL OVER TOWN. We ride to the gym classes I teach, the market, the library, the church, the park, the pediatrician, restaurants, the school, everywhere.

Today was a special day spent together on our bike. One other factor that has heightened our delight is speaking through sign language. Babies can sign long before they can speak. Little man knows probably 100 signs. So while we bike we're signing all the things we see: trees, planes, schools, swimming pools, bunnies, bugs, and most importantly basketball goals. He sees every basketball goal!

Pre-helmet-hair-loveliness

The weather was celestial today, which doesn't often happen here so he & I took advantage of it!

Happy together & yes we always wear helmets!

We gear up and ride out! On our way to the store to buy some mini roses and apples he hears a siren. He does the sign for firefighter and calls out "fire truck!" The fire station happens to be right by the store so we ride through the fire station. We see the beautiful red trucks and their walk-in closet of "firefighter clothes."

We arrive at the store after a little bit of protesting and he climbs on the merry-go-round while I lock up.

He kept doing the sign for "horse" and wouldn't get off.

Here he is watching an airplane which he has become a master at hearing.

"Airplane! BIIIIIG airplane!"

He hopped off to follow the airplane so I coaxed him inside. While shopping we see 2 firemen shopping. They weren't in their "firefighter clothes" so I don't think he believed me when I pointed them out to him. We rode through the fire station on the way home and he was just so happy! It was such a special moment that I told him I had a surprise for him at home.