This past weekend Ron & I decided to go buy bikes. All the kids have had bikes since they were little but Ron & I have never made the purchase. Why after the 20 years we have been together & living in 'calm' suburbia we didn't buy bikes seems to be a mystery to me. Especially, when we decide the best time to buy bikes is when we live in the most crowded place where bikers come by the dozens & cars have no concern for those two wheeled objects trying to share the street/sidewalk with them. Well, the decision was made & off to Decathlon we go. Once picking a bike that fits our tall legs we have them install all the gadgets we want, including an infant seat for the back of Ron's bike. Don't get the wrong idea when I say "infant"......Amanda is still so little that she can ride in the infant seat, at least until she hits 50lbs, which at the rate she is going will be when she is 10! Installing takes about 30 minutes and costs us NOTHING!!! Try beating that in the States. While we were waiting, we walk around the store. Justin comes across a skateboard, which we decide to buy for him. I think I have lost my mind again!!! Why would I buy a skateboard for Justin when an injury could mean a flight to Hong Kong? He was thrilled to pieces that we got it for him & eagerly awaited getting home to try it out. I did go over the rules (MUST wear arm, knee, and wrist pads along with a helmet - that doesn't seem like too much to ask..). I guess trying to take the 'fun' out of something didn't deter Justin..... Well, with buying Justin a skateboard, Amanda thought it was her turn to be 'big' by getting a "real" scooter - the one with only 2 wheels. She too was told the rules & agreed to follow them. So, another purchase underway, more nerves lost at the checkout. Being outvoted by everyone leaves you feeling like you are overanalyzing the 'hurt' factor in all of this.........Kim, Lynne therapy please!!!! Thankfully the bikes were ready before I had more time to consider what we just purchased for the kids - Tanner stayed home - good thing as he is our 'accident waiting to happen' so I would have really 'lost' it if he wanted something dangerous to toy around with...
We went outside to meet up with Mr. He. We told him to take Justin & Amanda home & we would ride our bikes back to the house. Easy, right? WRONG!! Mr. He offers to ride Ron's bike. Why his & not mine, not sure - guessing because Ron has a licence to drive but most likely, he probably thought I couldn't do it and he could ride along side me holding my arm so I wouldn't fall!!! We told him that it was o.k. for him to go home. So, hear we go. We hop on our new bikes & maneuver our way out of the parking lot. I am feeling good as I didn't get hit yet. The smallest things make me proud!!! Ron promised to not go too far ahead of me as I didn't have a clue how to get home (I am even more directionally challenged over here). Once we round the corner out of the parking lot, it looks like smooth riding. As I am cruising along, I have this weird sense that I am being followed. So, I look over my shoulder & low and behold, it is Mr. He!! He is driving 2 miles per hour, on the street following us. We had an escort the WHOLE way home. How embarrassing!! Another way us 'expats' stand out!! Once we got home, we pull into the garage & get off our bikes. Mr. He says to Ron, "Madame tired". No, actually I am standing that way because my butt is killing me from not riding in a LONG time - but that would be too hard to explain, so I just shake my head.
I am happy to report that we are all doing well with our new toys!!!
Happy 'cruising' to all.................
