Thursday's Three Things

1.  This shouldn't be such a big deal but since it took so long for it to happen, it is a big deal.  Princess finally learned how to ride a two-wheel bike.  At nine years old.  Yes, I should get a big fat fail next to my name on the parenting grade sheet. 

It's not entirely my fault (ok, it is, but work with me) because we have lived in a not-so-nice area for biking.  The roads are narrow, hilly and people drive like jackasses.  Not the best environment for kids to learn to ride bikes.  Add to that the fact that Princess is, well, a Princess, and I have zero patience for whining and not trying and that equals a nine year old who can't ride a two wheeler. 

Tuesday was the day.  I told her it was high time that she learned to ride and that if she did, when we went up to Grammy's camp this summer, she would be able to ride her bike to the store to get candy.  Wait!  Did someone say candy??  Once the candy was mentioned, off she went to find a bike to ride.

It was not more than 3 tries, all by herself, and she was doing it.  Up the hill, down the hill.  Turning?  Not so much, but that will come. 

One summer goal completed! 

2.  With a new bike rider you also get the first time crash.  That happened yesterday.  I'm peacefully enjoying my dinner--that should have been my first clue that something was up.  There is nothing peaceful at my house....When all of a sudden there screaming like Voldemort is putting a death curse on her. 

I'm not sure why she thought this was a good idea, but she was biking around the house, on the lawn, lost control and barrelled her way down over the banking and crashed into a tree.  Right in the middle of all the blackberry bushes. 

One bruise on her ankle, a bruise on her hoo-hoo bone (as she calls it--aka pelvis) and multiple scratches.  All in all, not too bad. 

Let's see if I can get her back on the bike.....

3.  I hope to be able to run in the Kennebec Rail Trail 1/2 Marathon on Sunday.  Manimal has had an opportunity to sign up for a jiu-jitsu tournament the same day but at 10 a.m.  The race starts at 7:30 and based on my last 1/2, I should finish in about 2 hours.   The dojo is about 30 minutes from the race finish so I should be able to make it in time.  I don't want to miss it.  Any of it.  It's his first one and I really want to be there.  This race is not a huge priority, I signed up for it on a whim, so I won't be disappointed if I miss it.  I haven't even trained for it!

I'll probably decide Saturday night what I'm going to do.  I'll fill you in on Monday.

4.  Ok, more than three things, but whatever.  I have a $100 gift card to Athleta/Gap/Banana Republic.  Where would you spend it and what would you buy?