How to Annoy Your Kids on a Bike.

Last week, we had the most perfect night for a bike ride with the kids. It was warm with only a slight breeze and no bugs. Whenever we take the kids on a bike ride, I always keep our destination a secret until we get there. That way I can change my mind in the middle of the trip if circumstances warrant.

Like if I get too tired to bike all the way to Dairy Queen.

The kids are good about stopping at intersections and asking when and which way to go. This night, we just went straight.

At the first intersection, Number One Son looked back and asked which way.

"Straight" , I answered.

At the next street the answer was the same, 'straight'.

After a while N1S asked if we could turn.

"No! Straight ahead!, I commanded.

Sweet Pea then started to get a little annoyed with my generic route.

She asked, "How come we're not turning?"

"Because we're going straight."

"No, I mean where are we going?", she inquired.

"We're going straight, of course.", I answered.

Then I got a frustrated growl from her and a burst of speed on her bike to catch up with her brother, leaving me in the dust.

Later in our ride we passed a park. Sweet Pea is just starting to read on her own and is pretty good at sounding words out. We are also working on getting her to recognize more sight words.

So when we passed the big sign that read 'Walnut Park', she told her brother, "Look, there's Wal-Mart Park."

I knew it was incorrect but I still had to look at the sign to check anyway. Wal-Mart seems to own everything now.