"Back or front"

As is probably the case for any two-year-old, Margaret has numerous original phrases that mean something to her, and thus to us, but are meaningless to outside observers. For example, "Ipsy Spider" refers to the Itsy Bitsy Spider. That phrase arises incessantly when she insists on a replay of her favorite version by Ralph's World (one of those folksy, poppy, rocky groups who play kid's music that also appeals to adults, albeit not because of versions of the "Ipsy Spider" that are played over and over.) (By the way, Margaret started singing B-I-N-G-O in the car today. Abby and I didn't teach her that song, so it's good to know that she's picking up useful skills at daycare.) Another phrase is "down dairs," spoken as two distinct words, which means "downstairs."

One of her key phrases, that I've mentioned before is "back or front." That particular phrase began as a reference to our stroller in which one kid can sit in back and the other in the front. I would ask Margaret if she wanted to sit in back or front (if given the choice, she'll always choose the back), and it stuck. Then she started using the same phrase to apply to any seating arrangement in which one person is behind another. Most notably, bikes. Certainly, when we see a double bike, that's a "back or front." But more commonly, any bike with a kid seat is also a "back or front."

Lately, I've been thinking about trying to get our own "back or front" set up to take Margaret on bike rides. Unfortunately, my existing mountain bike, an old-school Trek, has numerous problems that complicate attachment of a kid's seat. I contemplated buying a new simple bike for the sole purpose of attaching a kid's seat. In a stroke of luck, Maddie and I found a older, but completely serviceable, bike put out with someone's trash during our Friday morning walk. Sure the bike was a bit rusty (especially the chain which had fused in places due to the rust) and the tires were flat, but it worked fine after I cleaned it up.

So on Saturday, Margaret and I took a trip to the 'burbs to buy a seat and a "special hat." After a first unsuccessful stop at Target, which left me concerned that our trip would be a waste of time, we managed to get a perfect "special hat" (i.e. a very adjustable and gender neutral one that Teddy will be able to use someday) and a fine kid's seat at a sporting goods store. It took me three hours, and a trip to the hardware store for more screws, to get the seat attached to the bike. Immediately after I finished, it started to rain.

But we've managed to take a few short rides on our "back or front" over the last two days. Unlike the kids next door, who apparently didn't like their seats too much at first, Margaret loves it. During our first ride on Saturday evening, Margaret requested "go faster Papa." Then at the end of the ride, she wanted to keep going and was so upset when we didn't. This should be the source of great fun in the future.

Last thing: A ketchup update. During a rare trip to Whole Foods (it's near the local hardware store where I had to buy screws for the kid's seat), Margaret and I were able to find an organic ketchup that actually has some nutritional benefits. Made with agave nectar rather than sugar, it actually has a bit of vitamins C and A. Will Maggie like it? I dunno. I tasted it, and it tastes like ketchup, but isn't quite the classic Heinz taste. Hopefully, the palate of a two-year-old isn't developed enough to notice the difference.