bike ride with Laurel Baby

Last night Carl took the older girls to his hometown (1 hour away) to watch a football game against a longstanding rival.  It was against my better judgment to let them go on such an excursion on a school night- knowing how late they would be home, and how early morning would come.  It is obvious that Carl doesn't get to do any "father and son" type activities, and because the girls wanted so desperately to be alone with their dad is such a grown-up way...I conceded.  I bundled them up and sent them on their way with a goodie bag (which Carl later told me saved the 2nd quarter when the novelty of their surroundings wore off) and mugs ready for cocoa. So, with "the others" gone- Laurel Baby and I found ourselves alone.  The possibilities of how we might spend our quiet evening together were almost overwhelming.  Finally it was decided that we would go for a bike ride.  Earlier this year, my dad bought me and ibert seat for Laurel to ride in on my bike.  She loves it when we go.  So we too bundled up, I strapped on my camera and off we went.

She took off her gloves no less than 500 times.  This was okay because I was thankful for the excuse to stop and rest.  Clearly I am waaay out of shape.  She loves looking in that little mirror on my handlebars.  No matter how many times she spots her own face, she still greets herself with a sweet, "hi Lolo babee".  Over and over again she repeated it.  I love hearing her say her own name- especially with the "baby" part added on (this is what we call her).

We made our way down (I say down just so that you will know that I had to go up on the way back :) to one of my favorite look out spots.  The autumn colors were so serene at sunset.

We could smell dinner cooking and chimneys frothing their cozy sent all through the neighborhood. Just as we were pulling away from our river perch- we saw these geese retreating to their nests in the wheat fields behind our house.

 

We honked back at them.  Then Laurel's mantra then became "bye bye guckies" (duckies).  I am pretty sure that she said that all the way home.  I have trouble remembering much of the ride home.  Certainly if I had pedaled any further or harder than I did, my legs would have given out and my heart would have seized.  I understand now how people find themselves middle-aged and out of shape.  Life just creeps up on you and before you know it- you are old and fat. That is an uplifting thought huh?  We made our way back inside for some dinner (which thankfully I was able to prepare without fainting), a bath together, and some movie watching on my bed.  Laurel seems to think that she sleeps there too these days.  She is quite comfortable sauntering in to my bedside in the middle of the night now that her crib no longer restrains her.  It's okay, she is a good snuggler- with me at least. Carl reported that she kicked him in the head last night.  I am fairly certain he was dreaming. A lovely evening with Laurel Baby.

We have some fun things planned this weekend...hope to be back soon with a full report.