I recently bought a used bike for $10.00. This bike will come in handy considering that I work close to home. However, it has been twenty plus years since I have ridden a bike. I wanted to practice riding around the neighborhood before I began to ride to work regularly.
The other day, my oldest son came home from school shrieking with excitement. "I got all my home work done!" I smiled proudly and congratulated Son #1. Son #1 and I have an agreement about completing assignments at school. If he does not bring home any homework, we will get to do something fun after school. Son #1 remembered our agreement and asked anxiously. "What are we going to do today?"
I paused for a moment and then thought about the bike. It would be fun to go riding and it was a beautiful day. "Let's go for a bike ride!" I suggested.
Son #1 shouted. "I want to bring my roller blades!" Then, he ran to his room to put on his gear.
Son #2 toddled up to me and mumbled. "I wan lollo bades!" (Translation: I want my roller blades, too. Explanation: Son #2 got roller blades for Christmas from Abuelita - Grandma. He is quite good at rolling around on the carpet.)
I ignored Son #2's comment but exclaimed. "Oh, wow! We get to go for a ride! Let's get our shoe, shoes."
While I got our youngest son ready, my husband prepared the stroller. Son #1 flew out of his room with his gear on and headed for the garage. I bustled Son #2 over to his stroller and buckled him into it. My husband threw on his roller blades. I grabbed my bike. We were ready for our ride around the neighborhood.
As my husband opened the garage door, Son #1 came over to my bike. He asked. "Mom, do you know how to ride a bike?"
"Sure, I do." I replied. "It's just been a long time since I've ridden one."
Son #1 analyzed my bike and then commented. "The bike's going to be hard, Mom. You need to be careful."
"I'll be careful. You don't need to worry." I assured my eldest son.
"No really, Mom." Son #1 reiterated. "You need to be careful because you don't have training wheels like I did on my bike."
"Am I really going to need training wheels after not riding a bike for twenty-some-odd years???" Thought the over confident mom of two.
Apparently, training wheels might have come in handy. I managed to scrape my leg against the peddle and drop the bike as we came to the first stop sign.
Showing posts with label the funny things kids say. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the funny things kids say. Show all posts
Monday, February 3, 2014
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Learning to Blade
Son #1 got roller blades for Christmas this year. Santa's mysterious helpers fulfilled his one Christmas wish with their generosity. Words cannot describe Son #1's joy.
When he unwrapped his present, Son #1's eyes lit up. He screamed with excitement as he rushed to try on his new blades. After everyone had finished opening their presents, we all walked down to an undeveloped part of the neighborhood. Son #1 practiced balancing on his roller blades but fell often on the hard concrete. His dad and tio (uncle) were tossing a football back and forth. Son #1 wanted to join in the game. My little boy decided to take off his roller blades for now and play.
The very next morning, Son #1 woke up at the crack of dawn and put on his roller blades. He carefully made his way to the kitchen. Once there, he methodically practiced rolling to the pantry door from the kitchen table. He spent the entire day on his roller blades working on balance, turns, and speed. With the exception of meals and restroom use, Son #1 maintained constant motion.
As the day began to close, my husband walked through the kitchen to his coffee pot. Son #1 rolled passed him and asked in a breathless voice. "Dad, can we go outside so I can practice on the sidewalk?"
My husband paused for a moment and responded. "No, son. Not yet. You need to practice more in the kitchen before you take your blades outside. Keep doing what you're doing! You'll get the hang of it soon."
"But D-a-a-a-d! I want to get good so I can roller blade on the green belt like you and mom!" Son #1 complained.
"That green belt is pretty steep. Keep practicing. I bet you'll be ready for the green belt when you are eight years old." My husband encouraged.
Eight seemed like an eternity to my eldest seven year old son. He crossed his arms and pouted. "Yeah. But by the time I'm eight, I'll be old!"
Well, good grief! If eight is considered old, then forty must be prehistoric.
When he unwrapped his present, Son #1's eyes lit up. He screamed with excitement as he rushed to try on his new blades. After everyone had finished opening their presents, we all walked down to an undeveloped part of the neighborhood. Son #1 practiced balancing on his roller blades but fell often on the hard concrete. His dad and tio (uncle) were tossing a football back and forth. Son #1 wanted to join in the game. My little boy decided to take off his roller blades for now and play.
The very next morning, Son #1 woke up at the crack of dawn and put on his roller blades. He carefully made his way to the kitchen. Once there, he methodically practiced rolling to the pantry door from the kitchen table. He spent the entire day on his roller blades working on balance, turns, and speed. With the exception of meals and restroom use, Son #1 maintained constant motion.
As the day began to close, my husband walked through the kitchen to his coffee pot. Son #1 rolled passed him and asked in a breathless voice. "Dad, can we go outside so I can practice on the sidewalk?"
My husband paused for a moment and responded. "No, son. Not yet. You need to practice more in the kitchen before you take your blades outside. Keep doing what you're doing! You'll get the hang of it soon."
"But D-a-a-a-d! I want to get good so I can roller blade on the green belt like you and mom!" Son #1 complained.
"That green belt is pretty steep. Keep practicing. I bet you'll be ready for the green belt when you are eight years old." My husband encouraged.
Eight seemed like an eternity to my eldest seven year old son. He crossed his arms and pouted. "Yeah. But by the time I'm eight, I'll be old!"
Well, good grief! If eight is considered old, then forty must be prehistoric.
Saturday, October 19, 2013
You Must Be Really Old
Earlier this evening, the kids played with the toys in the playroom at Abuelita's (Grandma's) house. Son #1 fiddled with the Nintendo while Son #2 scrambled over the Foosball table. I dozed on the recliner as my mom (Abuelita) half watched Veggie Tales with the kids. It was a relaxing end to a fun family day.
The sun drifted gently behind the houses as stars crept into the night sky. My eyes grew heavy as I rocked in the chair. Then, sleep enveloped me. I must have fallen asleep for a while because I was awakened to my mom tickling my nose. A horrible smell permeated the room. I was informed that Son #2 needed a diaper change.
Some of you may be thinking. "Wait a second. Wasn't he already potty trained?" You are quite correct. Son #2 does know how to use the potty. He learned this summer. He owns big boy underwear. He just prefers to poop his pants. We'll discuss this in another post soon.
I meandered to my husband's car and retrieved a diaper. Then, I plodded up the stairs to the playroom to take care of the stink bomb that resided in Son #2's rear. While I changed my younger son, I caught Son #1's eyes and said. "Hey Buddy. It's time to go home. Your best friend is coming over to watch football tomorrow and you need your rest."
Son #1 protested for a second but obediently put away the Nintendo. Then, he skipped down the stairs all the while telling Abuelita about his big day tomorrow. Son #1 sat on the steps beside Abuelita and put on his shoes. He tied the first shoe effortlessly but then had trouble with the next shoe. "Abuelita, can you help me tie my shoe?" He asked after struggling to untangle the laces.
"Sure." Abuelita said and she leaned down to investigate the matter.
Son #1 watched as Abuelita smoothed the laces and tied them in a bow. He studied her hands as she tightened the bow securely in place. Then, he gazed at her face questioningly and stated. "You must be really old."
Statements such as the one above are always great for the ego.
My mom and I snickered as we cast sideways glances at each other. Then, she turned to my eldest son and inquired. "Why do you say that?"
Son #1 thought for a moment and answered. "Because you have big veins on your hands like grandmas and grandpas."
Fantastic.
Abuelita got an amused look on her face and commented. "Son #1 thinks that Abuelita is my name. I don't think he knows that it means Grandma." Then, she turned to Son #1 and investigated her theory. "Do you know my name?"
Son #1 replied. "Oh yes. It's Abuelita."
"Noooo. That's not my name. Abuelita means Grandma in Spanish." My mom laughed.
Son #1 looked confused. "You mean you're a grandma???"
Moral of the Story: If you ever begin to feel cocky about your youthful looks, talk to a first grader. They will definitely deflate your bubble.
The sun drifted gently behind the houses as stars crept into the night sky. My eyes grew heavy as I rocked in the chair. Then, sleep enveloped me. I must have fallen asleep for a while because I was awakened to my mom tickling my nose. A horrible smell permeated the room. I was informed that Son #2 needed a diaper change.
Some of you may be thinking. "Wait a second. Wasn't he already potty trained?" You are quite correct. Son #2 does know how to use the potty. He learned this summer. He owns big boy underwear. He just prefers to poop his pants. We'll discuss this in another post soon.
I meandered to my husband's car and retrieved a diaper. Then, I plodded up the stairs to the playroom to take care of the stink bomb that resided in Son #2's rear. While I changed my younger son, I caught Son #1's eyes and said. "Hey Buddy. It's time to go home. Your best friend is coming over to watch football tomorrow and you need your rest."
Son #1 protested for a second but obediently put away the Nintendo. Then, he skipped down the stairs all the while telling Abuelita about his big day tomorrow. Son #1 sat on the steps beside Abuelita and put on his shoes. He tied the first shoe effortlessly but then had trouble with the next shoe. "Abuelita, can you help me tie my shoe?" He asked after struggling to untangle the laces.
"Sure." Abuelita said and she leaned down to investigate the matter.
Son #1 watched as Abuelita smoothed the laces and tied them in a bow. He studied her hands as she tightened the bow securely in place. Then, he gazed at her face questioningly and stated. "You must be really old."
Statements such as the one above are always great for the ego.
My mom and I snickered as we cast sideways glances at each other. Then, she turned to my eldest son and inquired. "Why do you say that?"
Son #1 thought for a moment and answered. "Because you have big veins on your hands like grandmas and grandpas."
Fantastic.
Abuelita got an amused look on her face and commented. "Son #1 thinks that Abuelita is my name. I don't think he knows that it means Grandma." Then, she turned to Son #1 and investigated her theory. "Do you know my name?"
Son #1 replied. "Oh yes. It's Abuelita."
"Noooo. That's not my name. Abuelita means Grandma in Spanish." My mom laughed.
Son #1 looked confused. "You mean you're a grandma???"
Moral of the Story: If you ever begin to feel cocky about your youthful looks, talk to a first grader. They will definitely deflate your bubble.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)