Working on Bike Skills

We were given a free, beat-up old bike for Eva this spring.

Although she is exceedingly cautious and unmotivated, I think she might learn to ride a bike by the end of the summer. In the meantime, I have more than made up for her leery approach with my giddy excitement for this new stage of independent adventure. Eva and I are similar on so many accounts, but this is an area where we totally diverge. I learned to ride a bike at the age of four in one crash-and-burn afternoon. At age five I found some BMX tracks with fun little dirt "bumps" in an empty lot near our house and never looked back. On the other hand, Eva will not fall... refuses to risk pain... will not relinquish control, even if it means she will never experience the adrenaline rush of a downhill joy ride. If she can't calculate her approach and strategize a successful outcome, it may never happen. I can already pretty much say "forget about it" in reference to "Look ma! No hands!" On the bright side, she happily dons her shiny purple helmet for each outing. Differences aside, we sure are having FUN learning!

The day after Eric's long-awaited significant raise,

we were sitting at the table eating lunch. Eva turned to me and said, "Can we get a dog soon?" Likely anticipating my answer, she continues, "Well, we're probably going to run out of money soon. I mean (dramatic sigh), I want an American Girl (doll) and a dog."

Appreciating the hint of humility and frugality in her tone, I was still thinking about how to respond when she continued. "We could get one of those signs... like when someone is really poor... you know... they hold up a sign..." Surprised, I ask, "Like the people who stand on the side of the road with a sign like, 'will work for food' or something?" Eva responded enthusiastically, "Yeah!"

Not sure where to go with this conversation, and thinking that I've certainly sent the "watch your pennies" message very clearly, I said nothing. In a moment I reminded her, "Well, Daddy just got a new job, so we probably won't need to beg for money on the side of the road."

I don't actually know what Eric's new job title will be, but he will working in a completely new role, at a new location, but still within General Mills. He is really, really excited to start! And as I mentioned, his new boss fought for a very nice raise for him, so we won't have to get out our dry erase boards to stand at the corner... unless we buy Eva both an American Girl doll and a dog :).

Almost Wordless Wednesday: In the Mailbox

Don't you just love getting *real* mail? Me too!!!And who knew that Esther had a secret admirer???

Overheard

EVA (walking into the room carrying two blankets over her shoulder, rolled so tightly that they are stiff as boards): "Do you want one of these blankets? Do you want this one that is as colorful as a rainbow and as silky as mud? Or do you want this one that is as soft as a lamb and as cuddly as a baby?"

Which one do I choose? The rainbow mud, or the lamb-baby?

*****

HOPE (standing on the stage that is the living room floor): "Hi. I'm Emily Elizabeth and I'm going to be doing a dance called Ballerina Banana."

Dancing ensues...

*****

HOPE: "What is that little house for?"
ME: "That is where they sell Christmas trees in the winter."
ERIC: "That is where Santa lives."
ME: "But we know that Santa isn't real, right?"
long pause...
EVA: "Mom, I don't think that's an appropriate thing to say. Because God made Christmas for presents, and Santa brings presents to kids. So, I think the kids are going to be disappointed."

Don't worry, we had a short refresh-your-theology conversation following this discourse. :)

*****

HOPE: "Esther isn't old enough to have gum. Because she isn't three enough. No, Esther isn't three enough so she isn't three enough to have gum. She is 60-80 because she isn't three enough to have gum.

Got it, Hope. She isn't three enough!