Labor on Labor Day

George and I spent Labor Day weekend getting him packed up for the month of September in Madison, Wisconsin, and spent a little time with my sister, Jennifer, and her family in Grand Rapids.

It was a low key weekend with a few "home projects" -- George helped Stephen fix a few cord/sash windows in their new home with a trick he learned from his grandfather. In addition, there were bicycle repairs so that we could take a bike ride. Though this never transpired, we did have a few good jaunts around the block with Andrew in the baby rider seat. That kid loves to be outdoors!

Julia and her training wheels are going to have to practice for longer excursions. I'm amazed that she appears to be pushing the pedals with all her might, but doesn't go very fast and a good crack in the sidewalk can have her motionless in a heart beat. Ahh, the patience of parenthood.

I'm pretty sure I now understand why we never had training wheels when we were growing up. That way Mom and Dad didn't have to be diligently by our side as we struggled on our bicycle, for it would take a few YEARS to be strong enough or wise enough to master mounting, balancing, and powering the bicycle to get anywhere. Perhaps the attitude was, come in the house and let us know when you've mastered the slopped and graveled driveway, and we'll think about letting you take the tour around the grain bins. I remember hours of frustration, not being able to keep the bike upright long enough to get anywhere, and multiple skinned knees. But on that first successful trip, I felt like I was flying. Seven years old and mobile on my own accord, what more could you ask for? My only request would be teaching a kid how to stop the bike once they were up and moving. But that's a few steps farther than what a seven year old brain can handle. Oh well, the old-fashioned, "lay it down into the grass without hurting yourself" seems to be an instinct once you're maxed out on driveway.

We enjoyed a good parade on Monday, we weren't even aware there would be one. Finishing some breakfast, we heard the sirens of the police escort and fire trucks. The ending of the parade was in the park right across the street from the Sanford's home. So we went right out to sit on the front steps and enjoy the parade. It has been an interesting experience living in Michigan and coming to understand the local culture. Of course, I associate Labor Day with picnicking, time off from school or work (though not always the case as a nurse anymore) and acknowledging workers to a degree. In Michigan, however, the autoworkers unions are a very important part of everyday life and seem to be integrated and celebrated as a very real part of making a living in this area. So the parade consisted of many, many cars and trucks, sprinkled with a few marching bands, and, of course, politicians who support labor parties.

By the end of the parade, the kids were fully equipped with the basic parade necessities. Julia obtained a mini flag that she waved dutifully. We taught her the signal for getting a semi to honk the horn for her, though she would cover her ear with the other hand...so maybe she didn't fully understand what she was requesting. The kids got a few balloons -- three is a good number for two kids, as one popped immediately. And by the end of the parade, Andrew (who is 1 1/2 yrs. old) was throwing his candy collection back onto the sidewalk and then retrieving them over and over again. So he's learned the very basics of a good parade: proper candy etiquette! Every once in a while he would take a bite of a tootsie roll, without bothering to unwrap it. So good times had by all!