Nicholas' long bike ride!

I don't have any pictures to document it, but I just wanted to share that Nicholas rode his bike with me for 3.6 miles today! I was so proud of my boy--he was a real trooper! We decided to take a ride to get his housekey fixed at Ace Hardware (I had housekeys made for the kids yesterday and Nicholas' didn't work). About half way there, I realized that I had the key we needed fixed but didn't have my actual housekey! UGH! Being the master keymaker that I am, I thought maybe they could fix the problem without having the key, so Nicholas and I made the decision to keep going. Once we got there, the key guy told me that what I thought was the problem wasn't the problem (so much for my career in keymaking!) and that he'd need the original housekey to try to fix it. We turned around and headed home--no complaints from Nicholas ... or his sister, who was enjoying her ride in the carrier I was pulling behind my bike! About half way home, Nicholas started tell me that he wasn't going to be able to do this anymore ... his legs hurt ... his helmet was "killing" him ... he was hot. Normally, I'm not so much the exercise-encourager but I just slowed down and told him he could make it and to keep going. We stopped a few times for drink breaks but he made it without anymore complaints! He was excited that he had exercised and was ready to "sit down for a while" to relax. After he and Paige had their quiet time, I jokingly said that we were going to ride our bikes back to get the key fixed, thinking he'd disagree, but he was ALL over it! He said he wanted more exercise! Who is this kid? Surely not mine! :) Anyway, I'm sorry not to have any pictures of our big trip, but maybe I'll take some of them on our next bike ride so you have pictures to go along with the story. Oh, and we did get his key fixed ... he and Paige spent a good 1/2 hour locking themselves out of the house and letting themselves back in ... they're so easily amused ... on second thought, they MUST be my kids!!

Jimmy Buffett!

Tuesday night, July 29th (Happy Anniversary Jason & Jeanne!) Brian and I went with our friends to the Jimmy Buffett concert here in in Indianapolis! It was THE BEST time! Our neighbors, Brad & Holly, go every year with Holly's college roommate & her husband (Susan & Trey) and Susan's sister & husband (Sheryl & Larry) and miscellaneous friends. This year two tickets opened up and Brian I bought them so we could experience a Buffett concert ... I think it's safe to say that this won't be the only one we attend! We met at Susan & Trey's house around 4 pm for dinner and pre-concert drinks, then we all drove to the Verizon Wireless Music Center to get our spot on the lawn. I don't think I've ever seen this place so packed--old and young alike. I was surprised at first when I saw Jr. High kids walking around, but got more used to it as the night went on--Jimmy has generations of fans! The music was good and it was a very carefree atmosphere. We didn't have to worry about the kids because Holly's mom and dad drove down from Decatur, IN to watch all of the kids--they were in good hands! We got home late and Brian was up and gone for work before I woke up. What a fun night with good friends! I documented the night with a few pictures: