DIY: Convert a Standard Kid's Bike Into a Balance Bike

 

 

Not to brag, but I really love teaching kids to ride their bikes, and most of the kids love learning too! 
One of the quickest ways to teach them to ride without training wheels is to first teach them to balance.

In order to learn balance, they need to be able to reach the ground.  Remember that when buying a bike.  That's super important.  Don't buy a bike too big for your child, or you're just asking for trouble.  Yes, I know it's tempting to save a few bucks by buying a larger one they can use for a little longer, but it's usually not worth it for their safety, and for their comfort level.

We have a tiny blue bicycle I picked up from a garbage pile a few years ago.  It was actually pink at the time, and maybe even from the 70's.  Even though it clearly looked like garbage, my heart whispered that it was special.  So I brought it home, and with the help of my brother and my husband, we refurbished it. 

I think I've taught 7 kids to ride without training wheels on that bike.  The first day or so we work on balancing by just using their feet on the ground, no peddles.  Then once they get going pretty smooth that way, we incorporate the peddles.  Works every time!

I'm sure you've heard of the craze with Balance Bikes, right?  I personally love them, but think they are WAY over priced.  Now to be honest, we did just get a  Strider No-Pedal Balance Bike for our youngest daughter, because we couldn't modify one on our own to be short enough for her.  And because we got a crazy good deal on it that I just couldn't refuse (Thank you Strider and Amazon!).

But just for fun, we made one for our son!  He's 7 and has been riding the neighbor girl's balance bike every chance he gets for a year, so I knew he would actually use this. 

We converted his old $40 Wal-Mart bike into a balance bike in about 15  minutes, using a super helpful YouTube Video.  You can find used bikes EVERY WHERE.  Facebook, thrift stores, garage sales, etc.

 

I could try to write up steps for you, but honestly this guy covered it so well that I'm just going to direct you over to him:

Mom Needs Shoes, Boy Needs Attention

So there we were, a family of 5, hauling butt through a parking lot so I could make an impromptu stop at the shoe store, and still get everything done on my errands list.

 

In our Circus Operation we had:

• A dad head up, looking forward, strutting his stuff with a new haircut.
• A preteen holding her phone and glancing down to check it every few seconds
• A toddler in a stroller trying to pull her socks and shoes off (ugh, yes, of course she was successful.  Would you expect anything less from that girl?).  It made it pretty funny when we walked in and the clerk at the shoe store gave a sad look down at our toddler with no shoes. 
• A frazzled mom (me)
• A carefree little guy who shouted out: 

"Hey MOM! Do you want to take a picture of me sitting on this rock?"

 

Did I WANT to?  Well, to be quite honest, not exactly.  I already felt guilty dragging everyone along while I looked for new tennis shoes, which I hadn't bought in at least 5 years.  I just wanted to get this over with!

I took a breath, smiled and choose to say "Of course I do!  Hop up there!"

He did, I snapped they picture with my cell phone, it was over in 10 seconds and we kept moving along.  His fun tank had been filled and he was SO HAPPY.

 

 

I recently became aware of the alternative to "Fake it Until You Make it" & that's this: "Fake it Until You Become it".

5 years ago, actually even 3 years ago, or perhaps just 1 year ago I was a very different person than I am today.

I've been realizing how much I like who I'm becoming through these little changes and moments of saying "yes" and choosing "patience" and "grace".

 

Surround yourselves with encouragers, choose to say yes, and above all, just keep breathing.

Mothering isn't easy or picture perfect, even when you're the type that nurturing comes naturally to.  I can assure you this though:

 There are no moments of ease and glimpses of picture perfect. 

 

 

I'd love to hear your happy moments, if you're willing to share.   

Life Hack: Opening a Diary Lock Without the Key

Just a friendly #parenthack, #lifehack or whatev, in case you find yourself in the same predicament I was in this morning.  The rounded end of a bobby pin will pop these little locks open, easy peasy. 

How To:
Stick the rounded end of the bobby pin into the lock.
Give it a little turn or jiggle. 
It should slide the lock right open.

Now you know!

Homemaker Tip: How to Wash Your Oven Racks

It's Spring Cleaning time!  Not that I'm actually doing that, but maybe some of you motivated mamas are?  In my defense, the spring weather hasn't really stuck around here in Iowa yet.  I like to do my deep cleaning with the windows open, and I just can't pull that off when it's only 30 degrees outside.

Here is a quick tip for cleaning your oven racks.  Wash them in the tub or shower!

I like to soak mine with a little soap in the bath tub, then stand them up and spray them off. 

You'd be surprised what a great job that alone does.  If you have tougher spots, do that plus give them a little scrub with some steel wool.  They'll look like new! 

For the inside of the oven I use a baking soda and water paste to scrub away the icky spills that have been baking into place for months (oops!). 

I've never used the self cleaning feature on my oven, because 500 degrees for however many hours just freaks me out.  Maybe it works well though?  Have you used it? 


Do you have any homemaker tips you'd like to share?  You may submit a  post and be featured as a guest writer on my blog by using my contact me e-mail button, found on the right-hand side of this page. 

Kitchen Gadgets Giveaway: Part 2.

 

I used to use my bulky mandoline slicer all the time to make our zucchini into pasta.  You can read about that by clicking here. 

I really like my mandoline, but once I got my Zoodle Slicer, there was just no going back!  I’m using smaller sized zucchinis than I was with the mandoline, which I’ve found I actually like better!  The flavor is more pleasant and the seeds aren’t even an issue in these little guys.  Once the garden comes in I’ll have to remember to pick my zucchinis before they get giant (which can happen the matter of a day)!

 

What makes the Zoodle slicer so great? 

·         This little thing takes up a tiny fraction of cupboard space.

·         It makes nice firm ‘noodles’.

·         It’s easy to use.  If you can sharpen a pencil, you can use this little gadget.

·         You can use it for other vegetables too.  It makes a julienne cut or a flora cut, depending on what side of the gadget you use. 

·         We’re inspired to eat more zucchini by using this!

·         I consider it safe for my preteen to use under light supervision.

·         It’s also safe enough for my husband to use.  Kidding, Kidding.  No I mean, I’m not really kidding… he does just fine with it! 

 

If you’ve been around here awhile you know that when I fall in love with a product I want everyone I know to know about it so they can experience the awesomeness too!

 

That’s why I’m hosting a giveaway for a Zoodle Slicer. 

You can win by visiting my Facebook page and liking/commenting on the "Giveaway Time" picture, or by commenting on a blog post last week or this week!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. CHECK BACK OFTEN FOR MORE GIVEAWAYS, TIPS, AND INSPIRATION***

They aren’t too expensive, but wouldn’t it be fun to win one?  Especially if you’re on the fence about it, it’s better to win and give it a try, than to buy.

I’m obviously no salesman, just a frugal rhyming housewife!

If you do decided you’d like to buy one, I’d love it if you’d come back here and purchase it through my Amazon affiliate link.  That’s what helps me create revenue to host these giveaways and run my web-site.  You can read about that by clicking the “disclosure” tab at the top of this page.

  

Yummy Zoodles!

After you have a bundle of zoodles cut, put them in a pan with a jar of spaghetti sauce and heat them up.  Delicious!