Drivers, Start Your Engines!

When we woke up this morning, the temperature was 4 degrees. But thanks to our gym, the boys got to race their bigwheel and tricycle farther than they ever have ridden them before.

Our gym has an indoor track that winds over basketball courts, the pool and around the fitness centers. 6 and 1/2 laps equal 1 mile. The gym had a unique offering today: the track was closed to walkers and open only to kids ages 3-6 on their bigwheels or tricycles.

When we told the boys on Friday night what they got to do on Saturday, they were thrilled. William hopped in place clapping, then exclaimed "I'm so excited I could poop!" Aaron was excited, and then began inquiring about the rules, the width of the track, did every kid get a certificate or only the one who finished first? After hearing it wasn't really a race, Aaron remained certain it was still important to be in front.

We got there early, the boys got a little face painting (Aaron a checkered flag "because it was race" and William a spider because he was wearing a Spider Man shirt). The boys sat on their bikes facing the track waiting for all the rest of the kids to get registered. It was a controlled start with one at a time let onto the track. Aaron and William were about 4th or 5th onto the track. Unfortunately, the first few let onto the track were slow. A few overly concerned parents also clogged up the track. It was amusing to watch Aaron strain behind the small crowd, swerving this way and that searching for a crack to slip through for that all important "front." They disappeared around the corner, and by the time the group emerged into sight, Aaron was in front, with William speed-pedaling in second. Only half a lap to smoke the competition, not bad, even for Aaron.

William looked positively gleeful, his feet churning. Aaron was happy to be in front, but still taking this seriously, it was too early to declare victory.

The race organizer gave a star for every lap. He said if any kids could do it, the goal would be 13 laps or two miles. By the time he had given Aaron his 3rd star, he realized Aaron may be taking this pretty seriously. Wheels spinning and sliding out on the curves, Aaron raced as fast as he could for lap after lap. By the time Aaron reached 6 laps, almost a mile, the next closest kid (a 6 year old, by the way) was finishing lap 4. William was working hard, it took him twice as many pedal strokes as Aaron to complete a lap, but William was also sightseeing along the way: watching basketball, looking at the pool, running his fingertips along the brick wall as he rolled along.

The end result? Aaron completed 26 laps, or 4 miles. William did 13 laps, 2 whole miles. An impressive ride for both of them, and a great way to spend a cold and sunny morning.