Bikes and chocolate and my children
Another weekend, another Saturday and time for bikes and chocolate. Easter is officially over, however my five year old, ate the ears and nose of Alfie bunny for her breakfast. Yes, now a sad looking chocolate rabbit. It’s amazing that she still has him to eat. My seven year old, consumed most of his the day he was given it. The kids do love their chocolate.
It has been a dry but chilly day here, no gardening achieved but the children have been outside playing on their bikes. Today I bought my short nearly 8 year old a 24 inch wheeled Ridgeback bike. I didn’t think he would be able to touch the floor. He can, and he can control it well too. It is a lightweight bike but I had in mind that it would need to be stored away for Christmas. So, be warned, if your child is turning eight and needs a new bike, have a look at the 24 inch before you buy a 20 inch.
Now watching my short five year old, nearly six on her 16 inch wheeled bike, the wheels look so small. She can ride my son’s heavy 20 inch bike, however, I’m sure she would much rather have a girls bike when the time comes. Looking on eBay and Facebook for a lightweight bike in the local area, I’m telling myself she can wait because her current bike is lovely and her seat is still right down. Plenty of growing room yet.
One disadvantage of having a boy and a girl, it is not as easy to hand down bikes. I’m grateful for Facebook and eBay.
Also, to bear in mind, if you are buying your child a new bike. The 24 inch bike I bought today weighs about 12.5kg, it has an aluminium frame. There is a nice looking 24 inch bike, half the price in Argos, but it weighs over 15kg. His 20 inch wheeled bike, weighs 14.1kg and that’s heavy! I was surprised that my daughter can handle it. A lighter bike will be more expensive, but weight is something to bear in mind over a Halfords or Argos bike. Many people will promote Islabikes as they are very light. They have a good resell value, but they are very expensive.
After a long busy week, I have achieved very little. I’m trying to do camp Nano, aiming for 20000 words this month, I’m very nearly there.
Being tired and busy is not helping my creativity this week. Trying to write about time travel is proving confusing. I’m starting to doubt myself. The urge to get a roll of wallpaper and plan the novel properly does seem like a good idea. Trying to work from the dinosaurs to the end of time. Then trying to decide how many years my story will allow and make some sort of sense.
So, tomorrow I was thinking about taking the kids for a bike ride. Now I’ve remembered that I’ve got school uniform to iron. My seven year old still has to finish describing a picture of a rainforest. We still have to decide what my five year old is doing. Tomorrow is going to be a fight between their homework and their bikes and chocolate.
How has your week been? Did or do your children love their bikes and chocolate? Mine can spend hours riding around the garden in circles. I can remember as a child also riding around the garden. I have not told my children, but we used to line up blocks of wood and create obstacle courses. We would then ride over and around them. I think my parents gave up on stopping us and I’m guessing we probably left them to tidy up after us. It’s a shame that I have no photos of our garden fun. The fun of being a child on a bike.
For more see, Easter and time in the garden
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19 Comments
lindasschaub
I don’t have kids but I do remember bikes and the fun we had. My father didn’t want me to learn how to ride my bike on the grass so I had to learn at my friend’s house where her father helped me learn how to balance the bike and not tip over. So I was grateful to him. The joys of childhood … bikes and chocolate … don’t you wish our lives were still so simple and sweet (pun intended) Marian?
Just muddling through life
Thanks, yes childhood, a so much simpler time. I learnt on grass, not sure how old i was. My 7 year old just started riding a bike at about 3, no stabilizers.. My 5 year old had a balance bike when she was 2, so at 3, she just started pedalling and riding.. yes a simple sweet time..
lindasschaub
Yes, I was older than your kids – kids today grow up much quicker in so many ways than us it seems. Enjoy them while they are so young and sweet.
Just muddling through life
Thankyou Linda! Yes they grow up to fast!
Rachael Stray
Really good advice about buying bikes one I’ll remember for the future! Do you think a working week which is only 4 days is longer than a 5 day one?
Just muddling through life
Thanks Rachael! I think a 4 day working week can feel just as long as a 5 day one.
fancypaperblog
As a child, my bike and books were everything!
Just muddling through life
Yes, I loved my bike and books too! I loved Enid Blyton, Alfred Hitchcocks 3 Investigators, The Hardy boys and loads of pony books.. though I was never bought the pony that I desperately wanted. Looking back now I’m very grateful that I was not bought the pony.. but I did enjoy my bike and roller boots.. and my books!
fancypaperblog
I think we lived similar lives in two different countries! I think the pony would have not brought the joy we thought.
Just muddling through life
I think you are right! yes, could you imagine having exams and work but every morning having to muck out a stable. Or exercising the horse / pony when all you want to do is curl up in the warmth with a book. much better to ride a pony / horse at the riding school… x
fancypaperblog
Yes!! I definitely read a few of these.
Snuffy
I miss the days when my son would spend hours on his bike. I remember when he was little and I couldn’t get him to “graduate” from training wheels until we went out with a friend who had a mountain bike. To the side of the paved trail was horse trail of dirt and grass that my friend would leave the paved trail to ride as we went along. My son wanted to ride it so badly but I told him it wasn’t for bikes with training wheels. He took his off that day and never looked back!
josypheen
I don’t have kids either, but I remember riding my bike around our village for days and days! I fell off plenty of times so ended up with scrapes, but it was always so fun to whizz down hills! 🙂
That choccy rabbit looks fab.
Just muddling through life
sorry, just found your message in my spam folder, ive now rescued it! Yes, bikes are fun, we used to spend hours on them. I have had a new cycling helmet for my birthday – a very boring black one, the girlie black and pink one did not fit my funny shaped head.. but no excuse now, other then the weather for not taking the kids to the local cycle path for much needed exercise and fresh air! Yes,the chocolate rabbit took her a while to eat, it was too cute!
josypheen
Woot woot!
A black helmet sounds great, it’ll go with whatever jacket you decide to wear! You are going to have so much fun when the sun comes out!!
Just muddling through life
Ha ha, yes that’s true.. oops.. it’s also a man’s as the ladies ones just didn’t fit.. at the end of the day, hopefully if I fall it will save me from concussion or smashed skull and I guess that is what matters really.. my daughter’s is very pretty pink with flowers.. you can get away with pretty at five, ha Ha! Thanks Josy!
Just muddling through life
I guess he really wanted to do it, brave boy! I never allowed my two training wheels but it’s a big step going from trusting four wheels to balancing on two. That is a lovely memory Shannon.
ellenbest24
Some of the grandchildren went to Kenford hall for an Easter egg hunt and loved it Ivy 4, Mabel 3, Penelope 10months, Matilda 3 also a family friend’s daughter Hannah who is 5 not forgetting the newest member gorgeous George 9weeks. Ivy and Hannah were upto shenanigans; mischief makers . Matilda had a paddy but they were painted with whiskers topped with bunny ears and by the end coveted in melted chocolate; except George who sported a jogging suit of pale blue with Peter rabbit shapes stamped all over it. Flynn who is 12 was otherwise engaged and Merlot 13 was on holiday elsewhere. No bikes involved though micro scooters were shared … at least to begin with.
Your Easter sounds Idyllic and I did not think the weight of a bike was important until you pointed out the minefield of choices and prices. Thank you.
Just muddling through life
Wow Ellen, sounds like you had a busy Easter! Lots of kids and chocolatey mess! i’m sure they loved it! im sure tbey looked very cute in their whiskers! we have not got micro scooters….
yes it is surprising how heavy a child bike can be!