riding the path…

We went on a 15 mile bike ride on the lake front path yesterday.  We knew by going south, it wouldn’t be as congested as going north.  Once we passed McCormick Place, the foot traffic really dwindled.

As we were biking, I was trying to relay the rules of biking riding on the path to Diego:  stay on the right, say “on your left” when passing, keep an eye for walkers, bikers, roller bladers, etc, etc.  I think he is more confident biking now.  Especially since he took out his new bigger Haro bike.  I think the Gremlin is done and will be passed on to Mia.

We ended up by 61st Street.  Then we turned around and had a picnic at the Promontory Point Park.  Something we had promised the kids we would do.

When we arrived, Eric and the kids walked to the edge to check out Lake Michigan.  It was such a beautiful moment. I love how all three are holding hands: Mia is holding Diego’s hand, Diego is holding Eric’s hand.  *sigh*

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We found two “treasures” while we were there.  Had some chicken salad sandwiches and beef jerky with drinks.  So nice to chill and hang with the family.  After 45 min, we started our way back north.

The bike ride took us 2:15.  I did not include the picnic so that would have added another 45 min.  I am so proud of Diego.  He did it.  We are so ready for the Bike the Drive next week. :)

cake decorating…

Today I attended the Basic Cake Decorating class at Give Me Some Sugar with my friend Stacy.

It was a lot of fun.  Even though I knew the basics, this reinforced how to do it right.  It started with how to frost a cake.  We also learned how to make rosettes, lines and dots while holding the piping bag correctly.  It was so nice for someone to demonstrate how to pipe frosting. The best part was at the end when we decorated our cakes with our new skills.

naked cake

naked cake

ready to frost the cake

ready to frost the cake

ta da! completed cake

completed cake

doesn't it look pretty?

EXTREME CLOSEUP

I definitely need to go back and take another class. :)

no shuffle…

My throat, head, sinus, etc, etc hurts. So no Shamrock Shuffle today. Really, really bummed about it too. I took Mia to dance that morning and the race went right by the building. She wanted to check them out. As I was standing there, I just wanted to jump right in. :(

I sure hope I am healthier for the Cinco De Miler. I missed that one last year due to illness as well. Keeping my fingers crossed.

NOTE: We did go for a bike ride later that afternoon. 10 miles at the Centennial Bike Trail. We drove to Romeoville, IL. Diego did all 10 miles. Mia did a mile on her balance bike. We also found three caches along the way.

I have to say biking 10 miles is nothing like running 10 miles. lol

new bike…

I got a new bike!!! So exciting. It is a Cannondale Quick Women’s 4 in White/Green. I just love it. It is so pretty.

I took a spin on a Specialize bike but I wasn’t too happy with the quality of the ride. It felt too rigid and it just didn’t feel right. So then I took a spin on the Cannondale. It was love at first push. Completely different feel. Much more fluid. I knew that was the one for me.

I got a new handy dandy bike helmet (safety first!) and a small bag. I also got a water cage. I think I might need a kick stand, a mirror and a bell.

Diego and Eric got themselves a new bike each.  Eric has been wanting to buy new bikes since for ever and finally it has happened.  He got a Specialize hybrid bike and it is also in white.  We are matchies!  lol

I don’t think I have ever had a new bike that I wanted to ride. (I did win a 10 speed bike in high school but I never used it. 10 speed, really?)

Here is me and my cool looking ride:

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Now we are planning to the Bike the Drive.  The day before I am running the Soldier Field 10 Mile.  It just never ends. :P

flat…

Not how I wanted to spend my morning.

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I was glad I got both kids to school before this happened.  Took me about two and half hours to get to a tire shop about three blocks away.  It was just so inconvenient. Glad it was just a flat tire and the family was okay.