Santa

Erin and I took Madeleine to see Santa tonight and I learned a few things:

1. I may not like shopping at Plaza Frontenac, but they do have the best Santa.

2. Santa is not crowded during rush hour.

3. No matter how hard he tries, Santa may never get Madeleine to smile.

This is the 2008 photo, and we've got to give Santa credit. He really did pull out all the stops trying to pull out a smile.

Better luck next year big man.



Getting ready was even more fun:

St. Nicholas, Shopping and Illness

I’m laughing reading Jim’s post… he definitely said he was hanging up his bike until the beginning of the year. I can’t complain though as I am heading out two nights this week to an ornament exchange and book club. I’m also having a hard time believing how fast the end of the year is flying by. Friday night, St. Nicholas came to our house and brought Madeleine her Christmas PJs, a book and ornament. Now I know that for many people St. Nicholas is just another saint or he only brings candy but this has always been a big day for my family. Madeleine got the most enjoyment out of carrying around the gift bag that all the goodies came in. I’m sure the wrapping paper and boxes will be the big draws at Christmas!

Madeleine and I braved both the mall and Target this weekend even though I said I was never taking her shopping again. She did good at the mall but Target reinforced the shopping ban. At Target she decided she needed to walk which normally I would be happy about. However, the store was really crowded so I was not thrilled with this choice. Then the check out line was not moving fast enough for her and she laid down on the “clean” Target floor while in line. She also felt the need to touch everything we passed… so if anyone who went to the Kirkwood Wal-Mart on Sunday ends up with pink eye she’s probably the reason why.

Yep that’s right; Madeleine came down with pink eye over the weekend. She followed it up with a little throwing up last night. To top it all off she has a stubborn cold that will not go away. All I can say is that going to daycare is helping her build one heck of an immune system. Hopefully, she is getting all the illnesses out of the way and will be healthy for the holidays.

Madeleine and her St. Nicholas book:

Winter Rides

I promised Erin that after the Berryman Epic, I would hang up my bike and work on the upstairs. She thinks I said something about not riding until the first of the new year, but I don't recall the specifics. I do know that I had been off the bike for what seemed like forever.

So, a couple weeks ago I made it out to the Ranch for the weekly night ride, my first this season. It was a small group that Tuesday: Me, Tom, George, Kevin, Andy, Wes, and the GMG. The trail was dry, but leafy, and Wes and Geezer immediately set out to rip off the rest of our legs. I kept them in sight for the first half of the ride, and then Tommy flatted. Two CO2s (you're welcome Tom) and too many minutes later, and we were off. Well, everyone else that is. I didn't have much left in the tank and limped back to the heat, beer, and chili.

I missed last week's ride, but already have this week's on the calendar. Dwayne usually misses out on the Ranch rides as he watches Lucas on Tuesday nights, but is planning for this week as well. I'm hoping the weather holds. Night rides at the Ranch are a treat, and I need to redeem myself.

I followed up the Ranch ride with a ride at Chubb yesterday. Two rides in 6 weeks. Woohoo, I'm back!

The DRJ boys left from Lone Elk at noon, but I wasn't able to get out there until late afternoon. I had planned on riding solo but Jeremy Bradshaw was getting ready to ride as I was pulling in and was kind enough to wait for me to get ready. And kind enough to wait for me throughout the ride. Our out-and-back ride time was less than 1.5 hours, but it seemed like it took forever. I really need to get back in shape. And next time I need to remember my leg warmers. Wearing only lycra shorts on a windy, below-freezing day was just plain silly. I might as well have been naked. It sure felt that way. Oops. I guess now I know how Madeleine felt a few weeks ago.

Some pics from the Ranch ride:

A welcome winter sight:

An even more welcome winter sight:

The world's smallest IF 29er singlespeed, complete with Moose Mitts, a Ranch favorite. Note one of the world's largest IF 29er singlespeeds in background:

The Grand Master Geezer himself. Proof that 60 years of Krewet can still kick ass:

Hey Paul, I think you should have run 12 gauge: