Random Pix
28
Apr, 2012
Chihuahua Bliss
Bob Barker and I are both, definitely, California girls. Today it is sunny and almost 90 degrees and on a day like this, Bob Barker likes nothing better than to sprawl out on the toasty driveway and soak in the sun. If there’s a human around, she will ask for a tummy rub to complete the perfect scenario.
What a life.
We hope you’re having a great day too!
xo Amy & BB
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Tags: Amy Anderson • Bob Barker • California • chihuahuas • dogs • SoCal • sun • sun bathing • tummy rub
28
Apr, 2012
A Two Wheeled Milestone For Aubrey
Today was a day that will go down in Aubrey Anderson-Emmons history and one for my books as well. Today, she mastered her 2-wheeler bicycle. Her big girl bike! WOOHOO!!
I made a little video to show her off. I’m so proud of her, but especially thrilled that she got it on the first try sans training wheels! Not because she’s an athletic whiz… trust me, she’s not, but because she rode a balance /running bike for several months leading up to today.
For anyone teaching a little one how to ride, I truly believe this is the way to go. If you’re interested in how Aubrey learned, watch the video and read the steps. I swear by it and have heard many other parents sing the praises of the balance bike!
When I was around 5-6 years old, I vividly remember attempting to learn to ride a 2-wheeler for days on end, by myself. Falling over and over and over on the little hill at the top of our driveway. I remember getting so frustrated and actually throwing the bike down on the ground over and over, tears streaming down my face. I really didn’t want bike riding to start out as such a negative experience for Aubrey and all the research I did paid off.
When Aubrey was a baby, I saw a kid riding a balance bike at the park one day. It looked intriguing because it was wooden (they make metal ones too) so I went home and Googled it. A balance or running bike is a 2-wheeled bike without pedals/chain. Essentially a scooter bike. Imagine a Razor scooter, but in the form of a bike. The child propels and stops the bike with their legs and feet and once they get the hang of it, coasting down hills and zooming down trails is a blast!
It seemed like the way to go. I got one for Aubrey and continued to watch a lot of YouTube videos about how to teach the balace bike when I was first teaching Aubrey to ride, so I thought I’d list the steps we took for my fellow parents & care takers who might be researching too:
1) Gain the confidence to balance on 2 wheels with a balance bike. This took Aubrey several months. Around a year for Aubrey, actually, but on and off at first when she was three. Also, she didn’t have it at her dad’s house, so it was inconsistent learning. I think most kids may catch on a little quicker.
2) Once they master the balance bike, get a bicycle w training wheels as close to the same size so feet can touch the ground from seated position, like the balance bike
3) Ride the new bike leaving training wheels on until kid can pedal and steer simultaneously with confidence
4) Keep practicing on the balance bike in between
5) Loose the training wheels on the regular bike and go to town!
As you can see on the video, when she got wobbly, she was able to put her feet down and keep coasting/balancing confidently because of the experience on the balance bike. This momentum enabled her to put her feet back up on the pedals and also kept her from falling down and hurting herself.
Good luck to the new riders out there and happy trails!
Love, A & a
Tags: 2 wheeler • Amy Anderson • Aubrey Anderson-Emmons • balance bike • bicycle • bikes • learning to ride a bike • running bike
25
Apr, 2012
Wikets: Win Something For Doing Almost Nothing
Feeling lazy but want something for free AND something for a friend? Well do I have the contest for you.
I’ve been helping this awesome new app called Wikets get off the ground and they are killing it right now. It really is a fun app, it’s free and if you don’t have it yet, you are pretty much missing out on free Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Best Buy, Ebay, Home Depot and iTunes gift cards for doing almost nothing. Seriously, it is so easy to rack up points and redeem them for gift cards and you’ll get some great ideas for products for your family, home, gifts and more!
Wikets has been growing like gangbusters so they decided to try their first contest! OK, first you need download Wikets to your fabulous Apple product:
1) Get Wikets from the Apple App Store
2) When you register use my promo code “funnyyellowmom” and get 200 bonus points – holla!
3) Start rec-ing, rerec-ing, buying, earning points and getting those gift cards
OK now that you’ve done that – click “Feed” on bottom left, go to the Questions tab at the top of the screen and look at Batman’s question: “Whar product $25 or less would you most want to give to a friend?”
It Looks Like This
10 of the most heartfelt, interesting, fun and creative recs (you make a recommendation for what you would give a friend) will be chosen! The winners will get to send ANY one of the winning recs to one of their Wikets friends AND you could choose any of the items rec’d for yourself! Item MUST be $25 or less.
The contest is live now and is on until 11:59pm EST on May 1, 2012. Maximum 3 entries per person! Rec it up people!
I am being compensated for pimpin out this rad new app, but the opinions expressed are truly my own – for realz yo.
Tags: Amy Anderson • app store • apple • contests • Wikets
