05 November 2011

i'm grateful for . . . 'check out what's in my rear view mirror'

Greetings all,
Oh i've been plotting, planning & saving up for the big Christmas gifts for my children.  Seeing we're not religious, i'm not going to lie, Christmas is all about the gifts in this household.  We don't need to stop on Christmas Day to remember what & who to be thankful for - we have a tight family unit who love, forgive, thank, celebrate & care openly about one another every day.  Even more so when my husband is away at war, it's a reality check. 
My husband & i agreed new bikes were in order, so i took the children to get them 'fitted' last week - it was a surprise, just as good as Christmas morning!!  Friday afternoon i picked up the goods.  It was so exciting, you should have seen them race out of school yelling "our bikes, our new bikes". 
 I arrived at the bike shop early to ensure i got the Thule bike rack bolted to the car properly + plenty of time to learn how to strap all the bikes in place.  I took photos of where the bikes were positioned, i am not the first parent to do so!!  
 Yay, buy 4 fancy bikes & haggle to get 4 free helmets, saved over $200.
 I also planned to arrive at school early to get a suitable car space at the end of the row.  I sat there & admired my rear view mirror.  It was that mother-of-the-year feeling, like when you take your children to Disneyland!!
They'll have a small gift to open on Christmas Day but they get to enjoy their bikes now.  They are great children who are not spoilt with material things, they have patience & impulse control.  The joy of riding a bike, it's so healthy & such an adventure, their imaginations will take them much further than the loop around our house.  For most children, riding a bike beyond their mother's view, it's their first taste of real independence & responsibility.  We have a flat, grassy neighbourhood without any thoroughfares, if you're driving here, you live here, it's a great place to learn road safety skills & confidence.  They have been raised on bikes, everyone rides in Darwin, and of course, Canberra!!  This round of bikes will last them into their teens, a fantastic investment.
What are you Grateful for this Saturday,??  Ask Maxabella Loves.  Love Posie

PS Wii Ready Set Grover giveaway ends tomorrow, get active folks!! 

21 comments:

Naturally Carol said...

Yay! for lots of lovely bike paths in Canberra, made so that bike riders never need to get run off the road! Enjoy your fancy bikes this weekend.

Mum on the Run said...

Ooooh.
I wish that was my rear view.
Now dreaming of a family set of beautiful new bikes.
You may have just cemented a thought that has been floating around this head for a while.
Cheers!
:-)

Felicity said...

Fabulous!
Fabulous!
Fabulous!

My bike has been set up on a stationary stand so that I could exercise during the colder months but I'm inspired to get it serviced and get out and about again after reading this.

I bet you hardly see the kids this weekend, they'll be out adventuring on their fabulous new bikes.

Happy day!
Felicity x

Chicken Willow said...

Great pressies!!

Jennifer said...

Wow what a great present. We are always on the lookout for great gifts that are not toy related and wont clog up our house and will be used. Your bikes fit this bill perfectly, but unfortunately our kids are too young for a present like this, maybe in a few years time.

melissa said...

Those bikes look fantastic. I used to love riding in Canberra - you do have fantastic bike paths.

Teresa said...

I love that feeling of being a mum and seeing your kids eyes light up - I think it's just as enjoyable for us as it is for them. (Having grown up in Canberra, I still have many great memories from all weekend bike ridding adventures - in those days we had BMX's...cringe ;)

Jan Maree said...

Canberra is the perfect place for bike riding and with summer coming up the kids are going to get so much use out of them. Do you ride too? I see alot of family fun ahead! Enjoy!

Teresa said...

As a mum I love that feeling of seeing the kids eyes light up. I think it is just as exciting and enjoyable giving a gift as a Mum as it is for the kids receiving it. (Having grown up in Canberra, I still remember many 'entire weekend' bike ridding adventures - but in those days we had BMXs...cringe;)

Anonymous said...

Woo hoo Posie! What a fine idea and love the fact your kids actually appreciate their good fortune. Kudos to teaching your children wonderful values. Religion has nothing to do with it. Nice to hear. So, Margie

Max said...

I can just imagine the hyper-kid-biking-mayhem this weekend at your place!!!! great you gave them early, sometimes waiting for the ultimate promised prezzie is just too much when your a kid...and they'll be building ramps and doing tricks by dec 24th!!!

Kerryanne @ Shabby Art Boutique said...

I applaud you Mrs Posie... a very practical and common sense approach to the holidays. Love that you haggled for the helmets.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne

Jodi@TheScribbleDen said...

I am so excited for you all! Christmas is going to be fantastic. We are the same, it is about seeing the kids faces light up and being with family. Love to you Posie.x

Maxabella said...

As you know, our neighborhood is so bad for learning to ride - so many hills! One day when they are more proficient all of the bike paths will come in so handy and they will be super fit!!
Happy biking Chrissy to you all! x

posie blogs Jennie McClelland said...

So glad you didn't read this blog as i'm a big Bah HumBug Christmas hater, but . . . when you come from a big family & gifts are flying around, the big heartfelt gifts from Mum & Dad often get pushed aside.
At around $399 a bike, you kind of want value & a bit of glory!! Not to mention a free helmet!! Oh & lesson on how to attach them to your car bike rack.
I have barely seen my children since we got the bikes, best $1550 i've ever spent on entertainment that keeps them fit & healthy too!!
FYI my 8-10 year olds are on 24" bikes & my almost 13 year old is on a 26" bike, yes, a small adult bike like her not-so-tall mummy. These will last them a very long time, well worth the money & looking after them. Love Posie

TexWisGirl said...

that is awesome! congrats to you for giving them such a wonderful gift and congrats to them for having new bikes and new freedoms!

Bron said...

Love it when Christmas comes early....have a great time on those new pressies. x

polkadotpeticoat said...

How super exciting......

Melissah from Coastal Style said...

Nice story it's refreshing to hear about grounded kids that aren't spoilt & enjoy open spaces & fresh air!
x
Melissah

Tania McCartney said...

I so want one, too!! xx

Kylie said...

Happy Early Christmas in your house this weekend. I am certain that they all are having a great time. We just bought a rack for the back of the car a few weeks ago and took the bikes down to the coast. Was so nice being out in the fresh air as a family.