Ocean City is such a great place to bike. Last year, at the end of the season, Craig bought us used beach cruisers from the bike rental place on 34th street. (Most of the bike rental places do sell off inventory at the end of the season.) My cruiser is a cheerful yellow with orange on the inside of the tires. I've been eagerly awaiting the first of many family bike rides.
My inaugural bike ride this season was over Memorial Day weekend. Will, Bud and I rode our bikes down the boardwalk to the Hula Grill so I could pick up some of their delicious Hawaiian barbecue sauce for dinner. The sun was shining bright, but there was a cool breeze off the ocean--perfect conditions.
We bought Charlotte a seat for the back of my bike, and a pink helmet with bunnies on it, for her first birthday. I'd been researching bike seats for months and was so excited to take her for a ride. Craig installed the seat, we buckled her in and put on her helmet. She took off her helmet. We put it on again. She took it off, this time with a screech. We put it back on, this time securing it a little tighter. She pulled at it again, now full out screaming, and was now really mad because she couldn't take it all the way off. So, the bike went in the garage for a month and Charlotte and I accompanied the rest of the family on their bike rides stroller-style.
She's a baby with some strong opinions and I knew it would take some planning on my part to get that helmet back on her. I let her play with her helmet for a while. I let her play with the boys' helmets. We made a huge fuss when she'd put it on her head. So today, after a few weeks of helmet practice, we were ready to try it again.
We had a mission today--boardwalk for mini golf and water ice. Operation helmet was successful. We rode down the back alley between Central and Wesley so we could avoid traffic on the way down to 14th street. Like a duck family, we shooed the family down town. Craig lead the way and Charlotte and I brought up the rear.
Every so often, Charlotte would remember that we'd tricked her and would make her objection to wearing her helmet loud and clear. To soothe her temper, I'd point out things we saw along the way and talk to her as we rode. Our convoy did attract some attention, so I do hope that people noticed the baby on the back of my bike. Otherwise, what I must have looked like, pedaling away, and, in my best mommy voice, saying, "Weeeeee, look at the big girl on her bike!"
My inaugural bike ride this season was over Memorial Day weekend. Will, Bud and I rode our bikes down the boardwalk to the Hula Grill so I could pick up some of their delicious Hawaiian barbecue sauce for dinner. The sun was shining bright, but there was a cool breeze off the ocean--perfect conditions.
We bought Charlotte a seat for the back of my bike, and a pink helmet with bunnies on it, for her first birthday. I'd been researching bike seats for months and was so excited to take her for a ride. Craig installed the seat, we buckled her in and put on her helmet. She took off her helmet. We put it on again. She took it off, this time with a screech. We put it back on, this time securing it a little tighter. She pulled at it again, now full out screaming, and was now really mad because she couldn't take it all the way off. So, the bike went in the garage for a month and Charlotte and I accompanied the rest of the family on their bike rides stroller-style.
She's a baby with some strong opinions and I knew it would take some planning on my part to get that helmet back on her. I let her play with her helmet for a while. I let her play with the boys' helmets. We made a huge fuss when she'd put it on her head. So today, after a few weeks of helmet practice, we were ready to try it again.
We had a mission today--boardwalk for mini golf and water ice. Operation helmet was successful. We rode down the back alley between Central and Wesley so we could avoid traffic on the way down to 14th street. Like a duck family, we shooed the family down town. Craig lead the way and Charlotte and I brought up the rear.
Every so often, Charlotte would remember that we'd tricked her and would make her objection to wearing her helmet loud and clear. To soothe her temper, I'd point out things we saw along the way and talk to her as we rode. Our convoy did attract some attention, so I do hope that people noticed the baby on the back of my bike. Otherwise, what I must have looked like, pedaling away, and, in my best mommy voice, saying, "Weeeeee, look at the big girl on her bike!"
We took the kids to Congo Falls mini golf for 18 holes. It was a fun time, as long as Craig and I overlooked the rampant cheating. Carter plays golf like he's playing pool and hockey at the same time. It earned him a hole-in-one, so what do I know?
From golf, we went to TLC's Polish Water Ice on the boardwalk, between 10th and 11th street. I'd never had water ice until I met Craig and until now had thought there was none better than the lovely Rita. The Polish must be on to something because this style of water ice is really creamy, like ice cream. Yum! Charlotte and I are mango fans and the boys usually opt for something florescent blue, like cotton candy or blue raspberry mixed with soft serve vanilla. They give good-sized free samples, so we never leave without the boys sampling the flavor they will have the next time.
Now refreshed, we went back to our bikes for the ride home, a happy parade down Central Avenue. Mission complete.
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2 comments:
You have the cutiest kids ever! Glad she is "tolerating" the helmet and Carter's shirts is the best!!
You have the cutiest kids ever!! Im glad she is tolerating the helmet and I love Carter's shirt!! I love the posts and especially the pictures
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