Not in Denmark: Day 4

Today was the day that I wondered if, perhaps, I gave the kids a little too much freedom.  It was day two of being alone and on this fine day, the sun was shining and the whether was just begging for outdoor activities.  They had proposed to me last night that they'd do a bike ride down to Crosby Farms and then over to Summit to visit me for a root beer.

For those not familiar, the Crosby Farms area is down the hill from us, running along the Mississippi for a few miles.  It's not more than a half mile from the house as the crow flies, and has got a series of paved trails through a wooded area punctured every now and again by small ponds.  That doesn't sound so bad, but the steep hill that you've got to bike down and the two busy streets that need crossing gives a slight pause when thinking about a nearly 9 and 13 year old on their own.

But, initially, it was just that, a pause.  And then it's, OK, be careful and let me know when  you're leaving and then again when you're on your way to work.  OK...I made that last part up.  Cailin, often more the adult, decided it would be a good idea to do that.

There's really no point in setting this up any further because they made it there, biked around and then over to work just fine.  The only trouble they ran into was someone honking at them while crossing West 7th.  Cailin assures me they followed the signs and crossed appropriately, but it does give a shred of doubt to creep in.  And that's really all it takes to second guess yourself.  How much latitude do you give kids at that age?  Out for a ride?  No problem?  To a park they've been to before?  Sure.  Dealing with traffic?  Ummm.

My judgement was that they've got to eventually get out and learn, and they're both pretty responsible.  Can I control others?  No, but we deal with that every day.  You can't keep 'em cooped up for ever.  And besides, they needed a little adventure to spice up their day alone.  Although, the reviews from each was that the ride was kind of boring.  But, coming to Summit was the highlight of the day at that point.

I will say that I really like not only being close, but having a company and job that the whole family feels a connection to.  Cailin proclaimed this job the best I've had and that she really liked coming down.  I think it's just the free root beer, but it's more than that... it's comfortable.  The company is small enough that they can get to know the people, and unlike prior jobs, Summit has a presence in the community.  From walking in the Grand Old Day parade last weekend, to seeing our logo around town to participating in Feed My Starving children at the brewery, there's an atmosphere that everyone is drawn to.  And I think they get a kick out of Mark (Summit's founder) coming in a talking to them.

Now, it's not all wine and roses.  I gave them each a job to do and neither completed it before I got home, so we had a little discussion on thoroughness.  But, that's minor.  We rebounded and built a fire in the fire-pit where we roasted some Kielbasa for dinner and the S'Mores dessert.  A good way to finish up a beautiful day.

S'Mores by the fire

Oh and one mention of Ann, who made it to Denmark... she had a beer and kinda liked it!! O-M-G!!!  I must be winning.  For every beer I shove at her and ask her to smell, she's finally developing a taste.  Ha!  Now, I just need her to steal that cool Jacobsen glass she had her dark lager out of.