Ride

We had plans this weekend to go to Sweet Briar and let the kids visit before it closes down for good, and then wander down to Blacksburg to visit some friends we haven't seen in a while.  But those plans fell through and we were left with a last-minute open long weekend.  Which really was kind of a nice surprise.

We had free tickets and a tent to sit in for the Fair Hill Races on Saturday so we made it a family affair.  The kids enjoyed making and riding stick horses, and Erin has been very excited to tell anyone she has talked to that she rode a real horse, as well.  I think maybe Erin was excited to see the race horses and watch a race, but who knows for sure.  Dexter was excited that there was a TV in our tent, so he could watch the races on TV.

Sunday we took the kids and their bikes to the closest flat empty parking lot we could think of - Dexter's school.  Dex worked on building his skills with his new, bigger, fancier bike.  Erin worked on talking my ear off.  And she actually did a really good job of balancing on her bike when it was gliding down a gentle hill.  I was impressed with both kids.  Dexter remembered to use his hand brakes, and figured out how to change gears.  He hasn't quite figured out WHEN to change gears, but that will come eventually.

We're hoping to hit the Memorial Day parade on Monday.  It will be Erin's first time going.  She's very very excited to be able to wave her flag at a fire truck.

Here's a few pictures, and if you CLICK THIS LINK you can see some video of the kids as well.

Dex and his stick horse named Mercury

Erin and her stick horse named Venus

Gotta warm up your stick horses before they race

I swear she had fun riding a horse

In the starting gate.  Everyone has their game faces on.

Dexter's new bigger bike.  His knees don't even hit his handlebars.  He could stand to have his seat raised a bit, but he's not quite comfortable yet with his feet not being able to go flat on the ground.

Munchkin almost looked like she was riding a bike today, instead of just walking with a bike between her legs.

I'll leave you with this one - blue frosting face from some cupcakes we brought home from the races.  Too bad I didn't take a picture of her poopy diaper this morning...