September 27, 2008

A boy and his bike (and the brush)

We saw an ad in Craig's List for a bike for Finn. It looked cute and retro, so I gave John the go-ahead. It was only $10, so we decided Finn could pay for it himself. What a deal, right?

Wrong.

When John and Finn came home with the bike, it was ANYTHING but cute and retro. It was ugly and dirty and the training wheels seem very rickety. And definitely NOT retro. More like the 80's if you ask me.



What really gets me, is the orange, yellow and black flames. And the rust dribbling down.
When I complained to John that Finn's bike was a jaloppy, he asked me "Do you always have to have everything all sparkly and new?"

I think he forgot that I did allow Calvin's USED drum set in the house, and quite happily at that. It was in pretty good shape. I certainly don't mind buying used, so long as I am buying something in decent condition. 

And I do think buying one's first bike ought to be a big deal. I distinctly remember my first bike. We spray painted it red, and bought all sorts of red and white checkered BMX-looking accessories. I loved it. I wish I had a picture of it.

Regardless of my disdain for Finny's new old bike, he really seems to like it. As a matter of fact, he thinks he's pretty big stuff right now. Never mind the training wheels...









 
This evening was so beautiful, we could not resist the call of the wild.

Away we went, stomping around.















ROAR!!!

There is nothing better than roaming about in the brush with a monster.

18 comments:

  1. Beautiful pictures. I wish I had your camera...

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  2. How on earth do you get your kids to pose for you? Mine run away when they see the camera coming! :)

    Love the pics of the kids. Maybe you could paint his new bike?

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  3. I have the same question as karen. They always look so great!!

    maybe you'll be thankful for having a rusty old bank for the first bike. that way you won't be bummed when it gets all banged up from those just-learning-to-ride falls.

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  4. So when do the training wheels come off?

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  5. One of my bikes came out of the neighbor's trash can. My Dad painted it banana yellow and it had a huge banana seat (which I loved). All in all it was a great bike... Even though it was out of a trash can. :)

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  6. It's a bummer that it wasn't what you expected, but at least Finn loves it! I just adore that second to last picture of him on his bike. He looks so tough-- definitely "ready to ride".

    Where the Wild Things Are! That was one of my all-time favorite children's books when I was growing up. Finn makes a spectacular monster. :)

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  7. I'm with Talia...that 2nd to last pic on the bike is GREAT! I love his pose w/ his helmet!

    And he is by far the cutest lil' monster I've ever seen!

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  8. ugh ugh ugh BEAUTIUFL pictures.

    and I personally think the new/old bike has character. the flames are hilarious, the rust, well again, CHARACTER. it's like mater on Cars. The dirtiest and rustiest character and my all time fav of the movie.

    so just like of it like mater-rusty but quirky and fun and original.=)

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  10. Finny's new bike is a beauty! I did not see any flames, though. But why wouldn't you like flames? Flames are very retro. Maybe you can get try some Carbona on the rust stains?

    Finny is adorble, and I love his new shirt. Has he seen the Max pose yet? He'd be quite sensational!

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  11. Oh, and lol about your red BMX bike. Was it my old one from Glossy, or was it the old blue one?

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  12. OMGosh - that pic of him riding away into the sunset - GORGEOUS! Congrats on the - eh - "new" bike, Finn!

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  13. I think my favorite one is Finn posing on his bike holding the helmet. Very GQ, lol. It looks like he had fun on that bike, even if it is a little rusty. ;)

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  14. Oh wow I love the pictures!!! We're getting the kids bikes for Christmas and I'm really excited about it! I think Finn looks REALLY cute on his bike, even if it wasn't what you were expecting! I just love craigslist!

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  15. Lovin his new old bike in all it's interesting glory :) And I think Finn has a future in the modeling industry.

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  16. It is super cute! You could spray paint it solid blue or something if you wanted to though!
    I think your kids should be models! Did I already tell you that? Like for GAP or something =) They are so freakin cute!

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  17. You're right. The first bike is a big deal. I think this gives you a great "first bike story." I can still remember mine 50 years ago! My dad found it at the dump. Beautiful and red is all I remember. I have no memory of how bad it must have been to be pulled out of the dump.

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  18. I LOVE your photos! He is too precious! Even if his bike is old. :)

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