Early Birthday Present

Last summer, Mac was always in the stroller for our family walks. It was easier, faster and far less complaining! THIS summer, we told him we were done with stroller and he had to either learn how to ride his bike or walk with us. He hasn't learned to ride his bike yet and there has been a LOT of complaining.

On a separate note, I started thinking about what to get Mac for his birthday. I mean, this kid loves just about any toy on the planet (especially Legos, Hotwheels, dinosaurs, Bey Blades, etc.). He's easy to please. But we absolutely don't need any more "stuff" for the sake of stuff and I figure he'll get some for his birthday. So where does that leave us? I've been thinking about getting him a 12V ride-on toy...but they are kind of expensive and usually aren't very high quality.

Which got me thinking longer term...what about an ATV? I had no idea what our options would be for somebody his age/size, but I ran the idea by Jim and he was open to it. I asked for recommendations on our local Facebook page and got some much needed feedback. I felt like we had a place to start. Well, this afternoon we had some free time (which NEVER happens, especially on the weekend!), so we looked at the recommendations and narrowed it down to places that had youth ATVs on hand and were open this afternoon!

It led us to TC West Motorsports near Howard Lake. Jim called and he said he had plenty of inventory. We pulled up (without the kiddos) and were a bit surprised: it is literally in an old shed on a farmstead! Yikes...but it was totally legit and he was SO helpful. We had no idea what we wanted and he helped us talk through it. Jim wanted the smallest one, but I wanted a bigger one so all three kids could use it. What sold me was the guy answered our 100 questions about safety and options without making us feel like we were asking 100 unnecessary questions and then he actually talked me OUT of the more expensive model because he felt the smaller one was more appropriate for a 4 year old!

He had what we wanted in stock, so we went home to get the van and to measure Finn's head (for a helmet for Mac since Mac's head is about the same size as Finn's!), went back, paid and brought it home. On the way, we discussed keeping it until his birthday (what I wanted) vs. giving it to him right away (what Jim wanted, of course!). Considering it would be tough to keep this hidden for over two weeks and how excited we were about it, I finally agreed with Jim. (for those keeping track, I listened, changed my mind and went with Jim's opinion TWICE during this transaction!!)

When we got home, we had Mac come out and open the helmet first.

And he LOVED it! We probably could have saved a lot of money and just got the helmet! LOL I finally told him that I didn't think it was a bike helmet and that it seemed like it might go with something a little bigger. Then I told him to look in the van.

He said, "Oh wow, thanks!" Ha, LOL We pulled it out and he got right on.

 

He looks like a pro! He took it for a spin and then Korri and Finn took a turn. They all loved it. Now we'll see how much they actually use it. Mac must have said thank you 15 times and how it was the "best present ever!" He gave Jim a sweet hug before bed and told Jim he was the best dad ever! Little charmer! Before bed he asked if he could ride it again..."no Little Buddy, but definitely tomorrow!"

So going back to my original thoughts...Mac basically went from stroller to ATV...because you KNOW he'll never walk on a family walk again!!!! Oh, well. I just hope he doesn't drive over anybody!