Abigail got a sewing machine for Christmas, and she’s been sewing like mad. It came with some scraps and cheap thread, but I upgraded her to the good stuff and lots of remnants from Jo-Ann Fabrics.
She’s so excited about her sewing goodies, that she went and made her own skirt.
I’ve helped her with the basics (folding, pinning, sewing inside out), but the creativity is all her. She’s coming up with the ideas and learning by trial and error. It’s really fun to see her excitement around her creations.
– b
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With the plan of hooking up with my friend and his two boys and their 50cc bike, Lauren was finally on board to try the dirt bike. Conveniently I discovered it loads nicely in the back of the Subaru.
She was actually pretty psyched to try it and ride with the other boys.
Poof! Instant transform to dirt bike girl.
There was more activity at the dirt bike lot than previously. The nicer weather brought out more people, but everyone was very courteous and gave the girls plenty of room. They were plenty excited to see and hear other people riding/playing through the woods. Unfortunately my friend and his boys didn’t make it. but the girls had a blast anyway.
Abigail started first to show her little sister the ropes.
Then it was Lauren’s turn. At first I had to hold her upright and continually repoint her in the right direction for the first 2 or 3 runs. I actually thought I’d never be able to get a picture of her because she required so much assistance. Then in an instant she was off on her own. She caught up to her sister ridiculously fast, then started pushing the limits that Abigail had set.
Seeing new boundaries to break herself, Abigail wanted to go again, and again, and again.
The girls rode for roughly 3 hours. They rode past the point of hunger (we didn’t bring lunch). They just wanted to keep riding and keep taking turns. Each time going a little faster, farther and rougher.
They easily exceeded the convenience of 1 bike. I’m already on the look out for a second. They’re also quickly approaching the performance limitations of this one. It has an exhaust restrictor plate that reduces the power output. I’m either going to have to remove the plate or start drilling out the restriction little by little for incremental performance gains.
Depending on weather, we’ll probably put the riding away for the season and essentially have to start over in the spring. Based on the progress so far, I don’t expect that to be an issue.
There’s some more gear we’ll need. I’ve already upgraded to a neck brace for them to share. Obviously now I need two. And Lauren needs boots. The sooner they learn to ride in dirt bike boots (they’re very stiff and well armored, hence making it difficult to “feel” the controls), the better.
The other question is the bike to get. I was originally thinking the same model, so that they’d share similar performance/handling experiences. Now I’m thinking of a Honda because it’s got more gears and it’s just different. I think switching between the different characteristics of the bikes will only make them stronger in the end. Who knows I might end up with two Hondas. I have a friend at work looking to get his daughters riding in the spring. He’s got 3, so he’ll definitely need a bike. I could sell him the JR50, and upgrade to another Honda.
We shall see.
– b
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Remember the torn toenail from Jiu Jitsu back in November?
A couple of weeks ago the nail went from purple and black to white.
My summation was that it was then separated from the nail bed.
Sure enough it’s been pretty much floating there for a couple of weeks attached only by the skin at the back.
Each day it floats more and more. Hopefully it comes off before the hike into the ADK.
I have pictures, but will spare you the gore.
– b
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Abigail and Lauren have slept together in Abigail’s loft bed since she got it back in September.
Maybe we rent out Lauren’s room?
– b
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After nearly ruining Christmas morning by getting up early and sneaking throughout the house and prematurely finding the dirt bike, the girls managed a lot of excitement anyway.
My plan was to have them find the gear first, then go down stairs and find the bike.
I wanted to keep the bike in the house to make sure it was good and warm to easily start if/when the girls wanted to try it Christmas morning.
Abigail was obviously excited, but Lauren had a healthy dose of skepticism.
Needless to say it was only Abigail willing to give it a try that day, and try she did. She went all over the front yard and nearly crashed into everything (the creek, the neighbors fence, the roller coaster, etc), but each time she did, she got right back on and kept going.
The day after was warmer and considering the obstacles we had to deal with in the yard, we decided to head to the airport and ride the open dirt field there. I threw the 100 in “just in case.”
Unfortunately the wide open dirt field was a total mud bog.
After some scoping around, we found a smooth line along the side that she could do some laps on. After letting the bike warm up, she hopped on to take off. Unfortunately she made it only about 20 ft before it died and we were totally unable to get it started again. Fail.
I had a couple of theories as to why it wouldn’t start again, so once we got it home I tore some things down. The gas tank had premix in it for one. It doesn’t need premix. It has an oiler, so as it was it was double oiling and that’s not good for starting. I took off the tank and dumped it. In the photo above you might notice a red wire at the back. That’s an after market emergency kill switch someone had installed to help their kid safely ride or something. Every time I tried to kick start the bike, I’d invariably kick the emergency switch and kill what I’d just tried to start. The switch had to go. With those two things taken care of, it started just fine every time i tried.
Another warm(ish) day and we were back. The main focus for the day was throttle control – throttle on, throttle off until you get used to how it works.
I set up some cones at either end of the field to help her keep things in line.
Then warmed up the bike. Made sure it was good and warm.
Then it died.
I kick started, kicked started, cleaned the plug, kick started, kick started, and it finally ran.
She was off. Back and forth she’d run between the cones working on her level of comfort with the throttle.
She rode for about 45 minutes before getting too cold. Overall much improvement over the first day in our yard where she was crashing into everything.
Then it was time to head home and get everything washed.
– b
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The girls and I got out for a late December ski run. Pretty sure this is the first time we’ve skied this early. Conditions were ok and plenty adequate to dust off the old ski muscles.
Abigail was way more conservative than she’s been in the past. She focused and executed very well on her turns.
Lauren was the downhill demon. Often ripping her way straight to the bottom only to have to wait for Abigail and I. Finally we corralled her and forced her to focus on her turns, which she executed flawlessly. She was simply choosing fast and furious over style and pace. Regardless we all had fun and are looking forward to the next time.
This trip also noted the first time that I took both girls by myself. We actually managed pretty well.
– b
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Got the snow tires on and borrowed a giant rooftop box (21 cubic feet) in preparation for the upcoming ADK back-country cabin trip.
Should be skiing too soon.
– b
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The girls asked “How does Santa know what I want for Christmas?”
We told them for little kids like Lauren it’s just a matter of wishing for what you want and Santa will know. Lauren then proceeded to point to everything in the catalog with her little finger and wish for it. Uh-oh.
Obviously there are too many kids in the world for them all to just wish, so older kids like Abigail have to write letters. Their parents then email the letters to Santa.
This was one of many letters we emailed to Santa.
Translation:
Dear Santa,
I want more markers. and more beanie babies and gum. and more pony tail holders
Letter sent.
– b
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They ran over our sign with our street address. Couldn’t be fixed. Had to be replaced and fast, so all the deliveries would get here.
Not really what I needed this holiday season.
Not something anyone wants anytime.
Now it’s replaced and it’s business as usual.
Carry on.
– b
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Lauren and I both have (very) runny noses.
The two of us skipped Jiu Jitsu last night and filled the trashcan with spent tissues.
At least I was able to sleep. She woke up in a fit. Gave her some medicine and put her back to bed.
Hopefully it doesn’t get worse.
Hopefully it’s short lived.
– b
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