Wanna ride bikes?

Well, it has arrived. Erica's new bike. A Freedom Concepts "Discovery" DCP12! It is cute. It is pink. And she can ride it! She requires adult assistance in steering with the attached rear handlebar/brake, but she can now chase and race her sister-on-a-cute-little-tricycle down the sidewalk. Crazy how that little red tricycle cost $30 at Wal-Mart and this one ran about $3000!! We talked about doing a fundraiser. I made some half-hearted inquiries to local organizations like the Moose Lodge and the Elks Club. I researched some grant organizations and even downloaded the dozens of pages of applications and regulations to wade through in order to be put on a waiting list for receiving a free bike. And then we decided to use our "stimulus check" plus her Christmas money plus a generous gift from grandpa plus a hit to her college fund and just order the darned thing. We were actually able to use a budget for adapative equipment from her Medicaid waiver to cover the "accessories" like neoprene straps on the pedals and chest harness on the high-backed seat. With Erica, you never know if something you move the Earth to get for her will make her excited or foster total indifference. The other day we were returning home after school and she was complaining that she didn't want to go home. I suggested a bike ride, and suddenly she was all excited. Ah, that warm fuzzy feeling in my heart! And once we were cruising down the sidewalk, she said "Mom?" I said "what?" She said "it's a beautiful day."

Yes, my peanut, it is indeed a beautiful day.