Memories Never Forgotten: Samantha Wants a Bike Real Happy

"Mama, I wanna bike!" she says as we are watching Barney after school. We have a cute little routine. In the afternoons after preschool we come home and watch one TV show while snuggling on the red chair. We both love this time of the day. I snuggle my baby as she drinks a sippy of juice and watches a show (usually Thomas or Barney), while I read my book. It's a short time of relaxation in between the busy day and the hectic dinner, bath, bedtime routine.
Samantha turns two and a half this month. Joe and I weren't expecting her to want/need a bike for a little while longer. She has a hand me down big wheel bike and a sit and scoot toy in the back yard. She mainly pushes these toys around and doesn't play with them too often. However, I've seen her riding the tricycles at school. I was surprised the first time I arrived to pick her up and saw her riding a trike. I mean, not pedaling or anything, but using her feet to push-ride. I expressed my surprise to one of the playground teachers. "Isn't it amazing what kids learn from eachother?" she said.

So maybe she wants a new bike because of the kids she saw on Barney riding bikes, or because they have bikes at school. Either way, I was excited. Her first bike! When Joe got home I asked Sam to tell him what she decided she wanted today. "A bike daddy!" His face lit up!
I've been teaching a Math credit recovery class on Saturday mornings. I've hated being away, but it's been really good for Samantha and Joe. They have had some good bonding time and I notice how they draw closer together when they spend this special one on one time together. So Joe thought that Saturday morning would be a perfect opportunity to go shopping for a new bike. A daddy-daughter date, first breakfast out, bike shopping, and to the park to test it out!