The tortoise and the hare

We finally got the girls new bikes. Not just any old bikes but the Disney Princess bikes with the butterfly wheel inserts, pink and purple handlebar tassels, and a special bag attached to the handlebars for their snacks and water bottles. Then, of course, we had to also buy helmets, elbow pads, and knee pads. It still astonishes me the amount of protective gear kids are required to wear these days. Back in my day we didn't wear no stinkin helmets. My dad is fond of saying that this is how we weeded out the idiots. Because, lets face it, whoever was stupid enough to try something that would crack their head open was someone we probably didn't need in our society anyway. But anyhoo, buy them we did, because now most cities require them to be worn.

We also purchased a little playhouse for them because we have been promising them we would. They really wanted a Tree House, but we talked them into the plastic Little Tykes school/fire house that will stay firmly on the ground. It is pretty cute and on the back there is a little mini basketball hoop and soccer/hockey goal.

Then we decided that since we had gotten them new bikes, we should also get new bikes so that we can actually bike with them. Novel idea huh? We found some bikes they label "cruisers" for us. They have those old fashioned handlebars that go up high and a huge padded seat for our large asses, perfect.

Both of the girls took right to their bikes like they had been riding all winter. I thought they might take a bit to get the hang of it again (they are still on training wheels) but no. Biking is one of those activities where their differences really stand out. Savannah gets on her bike and rides hell bent for leather as fast as she can. Even when they were younger and were just learning to ride she HAD to be in front. One day when she was about 3 1/2 she fell off her bike on the sidewalk and instead of getting up she laid down across the sidewalk to block Sydney because she did not want her to pass her. Sydney, on the other hand, is what we would refer to as a "Sunday Driver". She just barely rolls along singin a song to herself and looking at the scenery.
Even I cannot ride behind her and I am not that great on a bike. I find myself riding in the street and circling back to check on her because I physically cannot ride that slow. It is like riding with the tortoise and the hare.