Blissful week-end

We had a blissful week-end. Saturday was one of our best family days ever. Lauren summed it up right before bed "it was a really good day, wasn't it, mom?" We went to Whidbey Island and had a totally focused family day - no chores, no distractions, nothing but fun. The big kids had a ball - we are all about bike riding right now. They both have learned how to ride without training wheels - Jacob actually learned first (and very quickly) and Lauren did not want to get passed up, so she has learned too. She is more cautious and her bike is larger, so she hasn't taken to it as quickly as Jacob - who literally is jumping curbs and doing small wheelie's. But, yesterday she learned how to turn corners and get started (without a push) all by herself. It is so great to see their pride when they learn something new. There is lots of open space at Whidbey, so they were able to ride, ride, ride.

Friday afternoon, Jacob wanted to go for bike ride. I was desperate to go for a run, so I took him to a nearby bike trail and he biked, while I ran. While he is a very solid biker, I realized he does not bike in a striaght line. It was such a sunny day that there were lots of bikers on the trail. He nearly got run over two times because he swerved at the last minute and bikers were flying by. It was very stressful for me, so we also worked on riding in a straight line at Whidbey.

We also went for beach walks, David hung up a swing on a big tree, Jacob did his gardening to his heart's content (basically pulling weeds and digging), Lauren and I cuddled up and read books (somewhat begrudgingly, but she's much more willing than she used to be), and Taylor laughed at all of us. We had a great BBQ dinner and then had family dance party. The kids love to dance - all of them - and it was just a blissful day.

Taylor has a little bike that Susan had retrofitted for her with pedals that strap to her feet. Today we went for a little ride and if she has the right shoes on (they need to be big because her feet are so litte), the straps will hold her shoes on the pedals and she "pedals" the bike. This is a great trick because it mimics the pattern of walking. She is learning how to lift her feet up and down to walk, so we are going to do a lot of biking until her brain creates the right pattern. One of the many tricks we're trying...

So, we are all happy campers tonight - a great week-end is wonderful for all of us.