Sob. Bikes not working out.

In this picture we're still optimistic.

There is less than zero chance Luk and I can manage this together.  He has no ability to balance and when he tries to correct he throws his body to the side and not even to the right side.  It's a crazy wild ride and I had to slam my feet to the ground with each pedal turn he tried.  True miracle we didn't go down.  Eric was watching us in bewilderment. Lots of adjustments going on.  Luk and I hanging out watching and attempting to appear helpful. Then trying again and again.

We haven't even tried with Kai.  Luk is at least amenable to trying.  He's definitely terrified of the bike though and that isn't helpful.  There is no question that Eric is going to have to modify to a three wheeler trail-a-bike and honestly we still have no idea if that will even help.

Honestly feels like we've thrown money at the situation and we're further behind.  

I'm having a hard time accepting that the boys aren't going to ride bikes.  

Eric is still hard at it trying to modify the equipment. Luk gave up.  Too cold out. I went on to put laundry away.  Started with needing in Jia's closet.  Moved a rocking chair away from the door and found this lovely pile of laundry stashed behind.

Missy is at a friend's house.  She will have no life when she gets home.  Keeping it real.  Life isn't perfect today.  

At the very least the folding bikes are going to pack well in the moho storage bins.

Adaptive Bike Riding

This is a HUGE issue here.  We've been discussing options for YEARS. Both boys have issues. Luk tires out quickly and has zero balancing abilities. Kai cannot  see where he is going, has less than zero balancing skills and he despises riding and cries real tears.  They have little bikes with training wheels.  The training wheels are NOT enough to balance a boy with zero balance.  They are meant to assist, not save.  So they both fall off, down and over a lot.  Neither one is able to detect when they're going to fall or do anything to prevent the fall.  It's super hard to watch.

Problem is: as a family the rest of us love bike riding. Currently we ride separately with a girl or three leaving one of us behind with the boys. This hurts Luk's feelings.  He wants to ride. 

Clinics haven't proven helpful.  The lending library at Queen Alexandra is a joke.  Rusty old equipment to try then very extremely expensive bikes to buy that have jacked up prices because they're adaptive.  Ultimately not solving the initial problems of Luk's exhaustion and Kai's lack of vision. 

In amongst the boys issues.  Eric does NOT love bike racks.  They're a tangled mess to deal with when you have 7 bikes.  The bikes are on the back of the moho and we can't stop anywhere or the bikes will go missing.  We need to use the utility trailer which means I'm towing.  Cramped in the campground and parking is an issue.  Also pretty easy for someone to take the trailer with all the bikes.

We have a trail-a-bike for Kai and we're hopeful it will work with Eric.

I was thinking possibly a trike for me with a trail-a-bike for Luk.  Pro, stability. Con, wide bike to ride, he might tire and I end up with extra weight of bike and kid to tow also it won't go on a bike rack or fit in the car.

Today Eric was trying to figure out how to hook their two bikes tandem, so a four wheeler.  Kai for muscle and Luk looking and steering.  Another thought was to add wheels to the trail-a-bikes making them three wheelers. 

After much debate We went to Canadian Tire to get a tire for Jia's bike.  And to look around.  I had suggested folding bikes to Eric.  Solving the bike rack, carrying in the moho problems.  I also wondered with them being so low if Eric and I might be better balanced and able to hold our ground without the boys toppling us over.  He wasn't keen on the idea.

We had the boys with us and we talked options  for quite some time.  The salesman will go home with stories to tell about the whack a doodles trying to get the boys he met out riding.  Kai was dancing and sing songing his nonsecal babble.  He doesn't even know about the girls.  Haha. 

We ended up buying three folding bikes for me, Eric and Jia and a second trail-a-bike.  We are very cautiously optimistic that we might manage a bike ride come Monday. Eric was impressed with the folding bike. 

I'm sure there will be more issues we haven't considered yet.  We think we might still have to turn the trail-a-bikes into three wheelers.  Eric already has a plan for adapting them using wheels from a bike stroller/wagon. 

I'm on the deck by myself blogging and look who joined me!

She's panicking but sulking around and checking it all out.

Imagine if she actually started going outside like a real cat.  It's too exciting to even consider.  

Lili's Graduation

So proud of this girl.

The day was sooo much fun.

I loved having most of the family together.  

Such a rare event.

There wasn't enough time to visit properly so now we need a quieter catch up with everyone.

I know Lili was feeling the love and it made the driveway graduation super special for sure.

These two.  Oh my.  So cute. They weren't really sure what was happening but dressing up signified something was coming so they were front and center for whatever it was.  

Gathered and waiting.

In a skirt and allowed Fei to do her hair!

Still all in black though so holding onto her identity.  

The family all in black was a bit of a happy happenstance.  So I took advantage for family photos.  

One of Lili's teacher arrived.  How fun.

Her daughter was in kindermusic with Lili and Fei two million years ago.  She also had her kids in Brenda's daycare. So that was a fun surprise to see her bring graduation to Lili.

These cuties, engaged.  Wedding next June.

She just bought her dress so we got to see the video.

It's beautiful of course.

The actual ceremony.

Time to move that tassel!

Congratulations Lili!!!

I thought we'd have to have her tossing the hat repeatedly to get a shot of it in the air. And I agonized a bit about my need to control things and get this right.  Then I managed my one shot and actually GOT it.  

Crosson side cousins.

The Nelson clan.

The whole bunch.

The Crosson clan.

Love it.

All the cousins.

Best shot. 

Bit of relaxing finally.

Anything better than an armload of puppies?!

Animal Crossing Gamers.

Jia is on me now to sign her up for online gaming so she can play with Avery. I'm totally going to allow it but she might have to earn it somehow first.  It's good to have goals and it's good to learn about working towards your goals.  Plus I think I want her room properly cleaned ;)

Dessert was so fun.  Loaded strawberry shortcake.

Hot Soup

Tonight's tears brought to you by hot soup. Kai took a bite, it was hot he spit it out and ran for Kleenex and drank water.  He was reminded to test if it was hot.  He wiped his eyes and did the exact same steps all over again.  Zero hesitation to shove the spoon in his mouth.  More tears, more water, more Kleenex.  He sat down and spewed a whole mouthful for a third time.  We gave him permission to give up.  He scurried to the toys in the basement on his forth round of tears.  Over soup that was just warm to the rest of us.  Some days take way longer to end than others.  Keeping it real.

Prom Wannabe.

Well it wasn't the long imagined Prom but it was a great day made as special as we could make it.  There were tons of smiles and laughs.  There are lots of photos to sift through.  I'm back at the moho with Fei and the littles.  Eric is still on duty as the party carries on at the house.

Hours for hair and makeup.

Hanna and Fei did a fabulous job.

Rain rain go away.  

It was pretty soggy out there.  Eric had to lay down plywood and another Dad brought carpet to cover it. 

When you're looking this good there are no bad pictures. Bear with me. Too hard to pick so I'll load a few.

She sang the whole way to the red carpet.

Adorable.

Quick visit to the Rock Cod.

I'm not at the dinner to take pictures. Eric and Lili sent just a few.  Hoping there is a whole group photo.  Looks like the sun came out a bit for the evening.

Long day.

Looking forward to Father's Day tomorrow. 

Hoping the day involves a nap :)

A couple group shots shared by other parents!

Zip line in a gown.  Love it. Go Celest!