Cheap Mountain Bike

The Saturday before Christmas, my hubby and I decided that we didn't have enough presents for our boys.  They didn't ask for much, so there wasn't a lot under the tree.  Books and new sheet sets.  Kinda boring.  Of course there was plenty from the family, but hubby and I thought there should be a bit more from us.

I gathered my sons together and asked what they wanted.  (Now wishing I kept the list).

Noah:

• wooden chess set (most wanted)
• flashlight
• binoculars (last on list)
• multi-tool (but those are expensive, per son)
• Knife sharpening stone

Aden:

• Bike helmet
• Klutz book (The one he wanted was already under the tree)
• Pokeman DS game
• multi-tool (because his brother wanted one, I think)

There were a couple of other items, but I don't recall right now.

With this list in hand, hubby and I headed off to the store.  We decided on the right knife sharpening stone, the flashlight that hubby didn't use and the missing multi-tool of hubby's if he could find it.  Then we went to look at binoculars.  We settled on a pair that we really liked, but the store was out and only offered a 10% discount on floor model, even though it was missing box and all papers.  Of course we found a scope that we loved, but the price was $200.  We would have to check Amazon later.

Then to the helmet area to pick Aden's helmet.  After I decided on one, John and I walked by the bikes and we both knew what to get Aden, a new bike!  We found a neon green one that we knew would be a hit.  After purchasing, we took the bike home.  I had to distract Aden to get the bike into the shed without his knowledge.

The next day, he went with us to Sam's to go shopping.  On display were adult bikes in pastel colors.  I teased Aden about buying him one of those bikes.  Would you like that I asked?  He told us he really wanted a cheap mountain bike.  Cheap mountain bike?  How much is that we asked?  Oh, about $14 or $15 dollars he replied.  Oh, he is a hoot!

Christmas day arrived and he flew threw all his presents, including his new helmet. As Noah opened his 'big' one, Aden was about to have a fit, because he knew there had to be one more present for him.  We told him to cool his jets!  (Daddy was outside getting the bike).

There Aden sat, on the couch, with his new Star Wars book in hand, already reading.  John walked the bike in and Aden kept reading.  John coughed, Aden read.  John cleared his throat, Aden read.  Coco smelled the bike and John asked her what she was smelling, Aden kept reading.  Finally we convinced Aden to look up.  It took him about 2 minutes to realize what the green thing was.  He loved it!

Christmas dinner at Grandma and Papa's house and he rode all around.  The day after, he took it to Boy Scout Winter Camp.  While I was visiting, he rode that bike everywhere.  He rode it so much, that he was in bed and asleep before lights were out, two nights in a row.

So glad he enjoys that "cheap" mountain bike.  

The lone camel

One of the many Christmas Eve services my church offers is the Children's Impromptu Pageant.  The purpose is to share the Christmas story and let the children participate in the story.  Before service, each child in attendance gets to pick a costume: star, angel, shepherd or animal mask.

This year my ten year old decided that he is to old to be a shepherd.  So instead, he chose a camel mask.  (Of course, this leads to a whole other story... think Geico commercial).

Here is the camel, with unibrow (per son), and eyes looking away.

So the debate begun when parts were called.  Stars began the pageant, lighting the way for Mary, Joseph and the cutest baby Jesus.  Next was shepherds and animals.  I tried to convince the camel to go up with the shepherds (imagine 7 shepherds for every animal).  Camel and Grandma thought he should walk with the Three Wisemen.  I disagreed knowing that he would be the only animal at that time.  After all the shepherds were already on stage, my camel decided to walk up while the portion of the Christmas story was being read.

If you can, imagine this...  My son walked to the front of the filled church sanctuary and turned to face the audience, with camel mask in front of face.  Then he slowly side stepped his way to the steps, all while still wearing the mask.  I about lost it!  My in-laws, husband and friend were laughing so loud.

His antics didn't end there.  Not many people noticed, but as all the children were going back to the their seats, my camel kept hopping in front of our pastor (who adores the kids and vice versa).  The camel was trying to get Pastor to play along with him, but to no avail.  Back to sit beside me the camel went.

After service, my son chased down the pastor.  Pretty sure this is how the conversation went... "what day is it, what day is it?" "hump daaayyy!!"  And yes, today is Wednesday.

My husband encouraged this silliness. He couldn't control his "hump day" antics when my son announced that he would be a camel.

Life with boys, quite interesting.

Merry Christmas to all and a Happy 2015 to you and yours.