Daddy Daughter Date: A Vet Visit

Before I get to the daddy daughter date of today, I want to catch everyone up on a few experiences. I posted a Friday Comparison yesterday that showed us having driven 4 miles. I picked up the children and two friends after school in the van yesterday. Six children, one adult is a driving situation. 98 degrees at 3pm, could also reinforce the desire to drive. Three things happened during this short trip, the fuel light came on, there was construction traffic two blocks from school (5 minute wait), and the children had left their bikes at school in the morning and I had to get them home.

The fuel light coming on didn't phase me as it was such a short trip, but I also needed to drive the van today, so I was going to need to fix that issue. Having to sit idol had me moderately concerned, with the fuel light on, but things cleared up quickly. The parking director at school laughed that I was driving and knew about the construction. He commented that I would have made better time on my bike. He's probably right. Bringing the bikes home in the trunk worked well, until I drove the van this morning and forgot they were in there.

Today's To Dos
We were invited to a birthday party today. It was in Lavalette, which is in our neighboring Wayne County (Out Wayne, aka OW, if you are local). I had called the Wayne Express transportation company earlier this week to find out exactly which of their buses went down that road and what times, as their website was very poorly constructed and the information was sparse, but there was a map with a bus line highlighted showing the street I needed. I spoke with a lady in transportation who informed me there is now only one bus that runs five times a day, weekdays only and it would be a $1 for every rider. This bus did not go where I needed. I called our TTA and asked if they provided service to Lavalette, nope. It's not a bikeable road. So minivan it was. This was not a social engagement we wanted to miss, these were good family friends and having an able vehicle in the drive way, was our means.

Coinciding with the party we had a scheduled veterinarian check up for our two cats. This was a divide and conquer situation. Brent and London were going to go to the vet and I was going to take the boys to the party. Seeing that I was driving, Brent took the camera at my request, to document "taking cats to the vet by bike." What I didn't expect was them to turn it into a sight-seeing daddy daughter date.

I mentioned forgetting about the two bikes in the trunk of our van. We left before Brent and London and it never occurred to me they wouldn't have their bikes in the garage. When they arrived home from the vet, Brent said London rode my bike better than she normally rides her Junior Viper. There were no complaints and they had a jolly good time. Glad that worked out well. The worst that could have happened is they missed the appointment, and that's not a terrible thing.

The Date
In my mind's eye, they were going to take the cats in the trailer. Brent decided on his own they would get more fresh air on the rack. He rigged up this cat transport with some ratcheting belts. He was very careful to get them tight and check them for shifting and falling.

Stopping in Ritter Park. Coco and Kit.

 They turned the whole adventure into an opportunity to be a tourist. They stopped often for breaks and actually arrived late to the appointment. Our home thermometer read 104 degrees today, but I doubt it didn't just say that because it was melting.

London and her cats at the Memorial Arch.

They arrived at the vet without issue.

 London has been trying to learn to use the camera. She says she wants to have her photos in the newspaper some day. These next few are from her perspective.

Kit

Coco.

 Everyone made it home, safe and hot. I looked up their route on Google maps and discovered they went about 10 miles round trip. I asked Brent what the vet had to say about his mode of transporting the cats and he reports she had no issues with it what so ever. She seemed to give the impression people usually bike their cats to appointments, but somehow we both doubt this.

Yeah, my garage is on my to-do list for the week. I have been collecting things from around the house all summer for a yard sale. Soon, I keep promising myself, soon.

 I was laughing so hard when he rolled up I was sure PETA would be right behind him. It was something out of a comic book. I chuckled more when we looked up the route he took and compared it to the more direct route suggested by Google. He rode 3.6 extra miles because he couldn't remember how far down 3rd Avenue the office was.

View Larger Map
London had quality time with her dad today. She seem to smile a lot more after they arrived home, I know I was. The boys and I had a great time too. It's always refreshing to laugh with friends and family.

Miles Walked: 6	Biked: 82.9	Bused: 0	Drove: 22.3	This week
43.7	195.8	12.6	422.2	Since August 14, 2011

A Rough Start to our Car Free August

The weekend was incredibly busy and I didn't peek at my Monday calendar. I remembered I needed to swap my meals at 9:30am, but beyond that, it was all going to be a surprise. And surprise is what we got. We forgot Brent was helping a new colleague move in this morning, and while he was helping I was watching one of the other helpers little girl. So I needed to be at the park with meals at 9:30 and home from 9-11 to babysit. Hmmm...

To add to the surprises, London woke up with a fever and sore throat, and Brent really needed to go into work today. This is the plan we created (again with the plans). I biked Oliver and the meals in the trailer to the park, while Elliot rode along side. Brent stayed home with the little girl, London and Avery. When I returned, Brent biked to the colleagues home and I stayed here with everyone else. Brent hitched a ride for himself and his bike back to the house and then drove London to the nearest Pediatrician's office.

What Was That?
Yes, I said drove. It's a five minute walk to the office. London was lapping up her ill status. We suspected strep throat, not a broken leg. Brent has a very soft spot for children who are pained and he drove her over, then drove her to the pharmacy, another five minutes from the Dr, got her the drugs and ice cream and drove home.

Live and Let Be
What I have learned. Patience and flexibility.

• First, I really need to get our Dr's switched and reestablished for just these sort of of occasions. Our regular ped is a 15min drive. 
• Second, I need to see if there is a pharmacy any closer to home so we don't have walk the sick child further just to get the medications they need. 
• Third, Brent will be the one to continue to break our declaration of a no-car August. He exclaimed first thing that I should just drive to the park then he took London in the car. It's August 1st. I adopted the attitude of "I will not start the month with a set back," but I guess he's going to be my biggest obstacle. Oh well.

Here it is mid day on the first of the month and we already had more to do than we bargained for. I am thankful for not having a job I must go to and for a husband who is employed in an incredibly flexible field. Perhaps tomorrow will be more smooth?

Comrade Spotted
I was also very excited to spot another iBert seat on another mother's bike on my way back from the park. It was a kindred moment. She was also the only biker I saw wearing a helmet. What is the trend with head gear in this country? I know the laws, but what are people actually doing?

Biking to an Appointment

It has been a week full of van travels. I have been working up at the Huntington Museum of Art in the mornings and using each pass through town as an opportunity to pick up something or drop off other things. The museum sits atop a hill with steep tight turns. You don't drive up it any faster than 35mph, 25 at most places. Biking was not an option this week. Riding the bus was not possible either as there isn't one that goes up the hill.

One of those extra errands was picking up London's Junior Viper bicycle we left at a friend's home a couple weeks ago. Having this bike back meant a couple different options for our older children to ride. London could either ride her cruiser or the Viper and Elliot could choose between his Mini Viper or the Junior. I think eventually London will ride my bike and Elliot will have the Junior.

The Appointment
When I returned from art camp today it was nearing time for London's orthodontist consult. The office is on 8th Street, but not past the aqua ducts. Brent and London rode bikes! I was so glad they choose to ride. Partly because the gas tank was on E and well, this is exactly what we are moving toward.

 They had to lock up on the sign out front, but it made for a cute photo. Carrying their helmets in to the office, the Dr. said he was meaning to get bike racks. I hope he does. Gestures like those would reinforce the sense of small town community Huntington is trying to empower.

Last year we met with three orthodontist. We choose this one to return to because of his more relaxed and less urgent assessment of London's mouth. The others exclaimed she needed braces right away. When we got the card reminding us to call for a follow up and we remembered he was downtown, the choice was reinforced as being the right one for us at this time. Moving our Drs and other errands to more central locations has not been hard, but it has taken some effort. We are all due to see the dentist soon. Which reminds me, I need to call Dr. Woodruff's office tomorrow to set up appointments.

The great news at Dr. Thompson's office?  London can wait yet a year for another consult. She needs to loose a few more baby teeth.