3 down 1 to go

Whoo Hoo, We've finally got our 4 year old AJ off of the training wheels. She's been riding with the training wheels really well for a few months now, and I knew she was ready even if she didn't.

I got her out in the front yard riding but due to the resistance of the tall grass, she wasn't making too much progress.....what to do what to do.....

I got the bright idea to take her over to the local baseball stadium and let her ride the parking lot there which is paved with a fairly slick asphault which I was fairly sure wouldn't chew up her legs too much in the event of an accident.......At least I was fairly sure that it wouldn't hurt me anyway. As an aside, this is where I took Christian to perfect his riding skills.

We started out on the dirt driveways and she did amazing!

She did however run out of steam and crash a few times which gave me cause to take her over to the paved areas.

I told her the rules, had her get a firm grip....gave a shove....and she was off! She must have ridden for 5 whole minutes before wiping out. Of course it was get up, brush it off and keep going. I think she probably put in 45 minutes out there and racked up at least 2-3 miles in that time. I was standing there with the camera grinning like an idiot. I'm so proud of her I just can't stand it.

Now that we've got Christian (6), Danielle (30ish) and now AJ (4) riding we just have to figure out how to get the baby riding and we'll be a complete bike riding family. We have gotten Nati one of those bike trailers but she totally hates it. I'm not sure why, I'd love to be sitting back staring at her mothers rear while she does all the work........Guess Nati doesn't feel quite the same about it. Anyway she's bound to get used to it sooner or later.

AAArghhh!!!!

So I just got this cool new background template...you like?
Bad thing is that when I uploaded it, all of my sidebar stuff dissapeared. Now I have to go back and try to remember what was there and put it back together.
I guess nothing is as simple as is seems.
But who cares! I got a new background! Whoo Hoo!

A FAMILY UNITED IN PLAY

My dreams have finally come true...at least some of them anyway (winning the lottery is still waiting in the wings).
Last night after dinner the entire family went for a bike ride! I can't even begin to accurately describe the flood of emotions that overtook me as I was riding along and looked around and saw Christian and Aj riding their bikes in circles around me, Danielle riding her new bike (with a loose seat post, new ones in the mail) and Nati riding in the trailer behind me.
We were just cruising along with the wind blowing through our hair and the post afternoon thundershower smells wafting through through the breeze. It was like this unending sense of freedom, of joy, of.......I dunno, something.

This has been a long time coming, at our old house there was way too much traffic to get the kids out bike riding and most of the time I just loaded them up and took them to a school parking lot. Danielle was never really interested in biking and didn't even have a bike, and Nati....well, she wasn't quite old enough for the bike trailer.
We now live in a nice quiet neighborhood with very little traffic, it is safe enough to let the kids ride around, I was able to build a nice bike for Danielle and of course we now have the trailer for Nati. All is now right in my world.

I can only hope and pray that this new found freedom and joy will be able to be taken advantage of on a regular basis and that we will one day be able to expand this new found freedom as the children get older and become a biking family. For the last 2 years I have watched entire families on the bike trails and have dreamed of the day that mine could join me in the sport that I love and has given so much back to me. This is the begining of that dream and I hope that it never ends.

Spandex :(

This is a post that I made on a bike club forum in response to the use of spandex

1. Spandex should never be worn by men after their family jewels have dropped....usually around 5-6 years old. The exception to this rule is that spandex may be worn by men with small "packages" when (and only when) competing in an actual sporting event. Individuals with large "packages" should refrain from wearing spandex in public at all times.
2. Women are welcome to wear spandex at all times up until the point that the back side of said spandex do not look like the face of a 16 year old male (dimpled)
3. No person should wear spandex that has become threadbare or overstretched to the point that skin tone is visable beneath.
4. The use of spandex that has been overused and has developed little fuzzballs is generally discouraged.
5. Use of Generic spandex is strictly prohibited as it will invariably lead to "wardrobe malfunctions".
Failure to follow these rules may result in a trail visit by an overweight hairy, middle ager wearing nuthin but a g-string and a smile

Back to the basics

• Back to the Basics
  
  In a time when fuel prices are topping out over $4.00 a gallon many people are turning to bicycles as an alternative form of transportation. Riding a bike around the neighborhood and even to and from work is an excellent alternative providing you have the extra time and is also a good way to get in shape. On the downside though as I have seen more and more adults riding bikes I have also noticed that most of those people are putting themselves in unnecessary danger. So now it’s time to review the basics starting with purchasing a bike.
  
  If you are planning on purchasing a new bike you should stay away from the ones sold at the major “chain” retailers. These bikes are not only poorly built with marginal components and are extremely heavy but they are usually assembled by people that are not trained to properly assemble and tune a bike. Unless you are willing to spend upwards of $800 don’t even bother looking at the full suspension (shocks on the front and rear) bikes. The small amount of “squish” that you might get out of these poorly designed models is far outweighed but the actual weight. If you have the means, it is best to start shopping at a shop that specializes in bicycles. By shopping there, the professionals that assembled your bike will usually allow you to test ride several sizes and models so that you are able to find one that fits your size and riding style. At a bike shop you should find that most of the bike styles will start at about $300 which is well worth it.
  
  Chances are that if you are like most adults that already own a bike you haven’t ridden it since college. If this is the case you should take it to a qualified repair shop for a tune-up. The professionals there will check your tires and tubes, lube your chain adjust your brakes and make sure that everything is bright and tight.
  
  Getting ready to ride
  Now that you have your new bike or finished cleaning up your old bike these are a few things to keep track of before every ride.
  Check your chain. Chain slippage or breakage can cause you to fall not only off your bike buy potentially into traffic.
  Chain should be well lubed and free of rust
  Every link should pivot smoothly
  Check for sag
  Check you tires
  Follow the manufacturers rating for tire pressure keeping in mind that more pressure = less rolling resistance but also less control.
  Check for nicks and dry rot in the tread
  Check your axles
  Axel nuts should be tight and the wheels should turn smoothly
  Check your handlebars
  Check your handlebars by gripping the front wheel between your knees and pulling upward or pushing back and forth. There should be no movement of the bars and stem independent of the rest of the bike.
  Check your seat
  Make sure that your seat clamp is securely tightened
  Check your pedals
  Make sure that your pedals are securely tightened
  Check your reflectors
  Check to make sure that your bike is equipped with reflectors and that they are clean and easily visible
  Do you or will you need lights?
  If there is any chance that you will be riding near dusk or dark be sure to use a bike light on the front and rear of your bike. It is also a good idea if these are flashing lights which will make you more visible to cars.
  
  
  
  Now that your bike is in order it’s time to make sure that you are ready to ride.
  Avoid shoes with laces.
  Shoes laces can become wrapped around your pedals causing sprained ankles and falls resulting in more serious injuries.
  If you don’t not have shoes without laces, find a way to tuck them in or tie them so that they do not hang down where they can be entagled.
  Avoid long pants.
  Long pants legs can and often do get caught between your chain and chainring (gears) causing you to fall.
  Wear proper body protection.
  Depending on the type of riding you will be doing it may be a good idea to invest in knee and shin pads
  Always wear a helmet! This is not just for children. Adults are can fall just as easily as children and closed head trauma can kill an adult just as easily as it can a child.
  Bike helmets have come a long way in the last decade, while still hot and less than cool looking they can help prevent serious brain injuries that can take place if and when you fall.
  Florida State Law requires children to wear a bike helmet when riding a bike.
  Make sure you have enough water.
  It’s summer time folks. If you plan on riding for more than about 15 minutes make sure that you have a water bottle with you.
  Make sure you have enough energy for your trip.
  You wouldn’t take your car out on an empty tank, when riding a bike you are the fuel tank and engine. Running out of steam on a bike trek can leave you stranded. Make sure that you have eaten a balanced meal within the last few hours or even take some energy bars with you
  Once you’ve run out of steam, even after eating it can take hours before you have the energy to get back home.
  
  On the road.
  Now that you have checked out your bike and geared up it’s time to hit the road.
  Stay off the sidewalks
  Riding a bike on the sidewalk is against the law in most areas
  Riding on the sidewalk puts pedestrians at risk
  Cars on cross streets usually pull up past the cross walk before turning which means that either they will hit you or you will hit them.
  Ride with traffic
  Riding with the flow of traffic reduces your chance of being hit by a car.
  If you are hit riding with the flow of traffic the impact will be less severe
  Obey traffic signals
  If you are riding a vehicle on the road you are expected to follow the same rules as other vehicles.
  Do not cut across traffic
  Cutting across traffic puts you in a location where you are not easily seen or expected to be and drivers will not usually see you.
  Expect to be unseen
  Bikes are small and drivers are usually not paying close enough attention to see you.
  Make sure that you are watching around you for other vehicles and be prepared to dodge off the road if necessary.
  Do not expect drivers to see you or yield the right of way at intersections, keep you hands on the brakes ready to slow down or stop if necessary.
  
  
  Keeping all of these tips in mind every time you venture out with you bike will not only help to ensure that you have a successful enjoyable trip but they may even save your life.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

THIS OLD HOUSE

The topic of discussion this week is...MOVING!
After nearly 4 years in the same house, our family is moving up to a larger and nicer house in the same area of PSL. I am really looking forward to getting into a bigger house but it is not without mixed emotion.

I have been in this old house for about 4 years now, I got a great deal on the move-in back in 04. The house had been vacant for a while and was completely trashed. The landlords were willing to let me move in with only 1st months rent and exchange the other deposits for fixing the place up.

In the time that I have been in this house, My Son and oldest daughter have grown so much. I have been through a divorce, and remarried and had another child, all in this old house. Over the years and with Danielles help I have fixed the place up pretty nicely, we've painted, replaced light fixtures and plumbing fixtures and covered the walls with photos of the children turning the old house in to a home.

This old house my not be pretty, but she has been a strong and sturdy shelter through all of the storms that life and mother nature have thrown at me over the years. I survived a divorce in this house and sought shelter fromt the now ex-wife by living in the garage for 3 months. During the hurricanes of 03 and 04 I sought shelter in this old house and she protected me, my family and our belongings when many others lost everything. I met my Wife Danielle while living here and concieved Natalie, watched her grow in her mommy's tummy and brought her home in this old house.

Aside from not being overly attractive, this old house had a few design flaws that I cussed often and ruthlessly such as the small master closet and poorly designed laundry room but these things not only gave the house character but I'm sure that in some small way have added to my character as well.

If these walls could speak I know that they would have quite a story to tell. Although it was only 4 years, it seems that I have amassed a lifetime of memories here and even though I'm looking forward to moving on, I will miss this old house very much........

The "ie's" have it.

I don't know what it is about a little girl that makes the world such a beautiful place. I've been spending a little extra time with AJ lately and I am in awe at how she is in love with so many things. Adults are just unable to express the amazement in seeing new things and seeking out familiar objects in the world around us quite the way that a child does.

My daughter who is four doesn't come right out and say "I love the birds, or horses or cat's or dogs" She expresses her undying affection for these things with the suffix "Y" or "IE" Such as kittie or doggie or birdie....you get the picture.....Maybe not, but I just did and it warmed my heart in a way that only a daughter can for her father. And that moment of love and amazement came with one word......Daddy!

I know that as the days turn in to weeks, and the weeks turn into months, and then into years she will drop many of those ie's and y's. The horsie will become a little less special and turn into a plain ole' horse and the beloved doggies and kitties will become commonplace and be simply called cats and dogs. I truly hope and pray that through the years, good times and bad times that I will always be her......Daddy!