The younger of my two grandsons who live in my town, was 9 in early Aug. I wanted to give him a new bike for his birthday at that time - bike store said he was still a tad small for the bigger size even though his present bike was a bit small.
So, 2 days before Christmas, I called the boys and had the elder boy 11 1/2, to measure his younger brother for height and inseam to the floor. Told him I'd found a pair of dress pants on sale and needed these measurements.
With measurements in hand, I went back to the store and asked if he was now big enough - he'd grown over an inch in less than 5 months. Yes, he would fit! I didn't want to mess with the logistics of hiding a bike, even for 2 days, and having to transport it to his house Xmas morn, so I printed out a picture of the bike from the Trek web site, folded it up and wrapped it in Xmas paper. I wrote on the picture that I would take him to the store Mon AM to choose his color and get his new bike.
Being 2 1/2 years younger than his older brother, his two previous bikes had been hand-me-downs. He did not appear to mind at the time and always appeared pleased with them.
Xmas morning when he opened the paper, he was astounded - just kept asking if he was getting the bike in the picture and would it REALLY be tomorrow. He was over the moon! The next morning, he called me at 9:30 to find out what time the store opened - I said at 10AM. He said he wanted to be there then. I said that was up to Daddy as he had to come with the bike rack on his car- he yelled for his father to get up immediately.
So, at 10, we were at the store and he chose his color and the SA started explaining how to use the 21 gears. I suggested a test ride in the parking lot and off we went. He took to it immediately and rode it like a pro, grinning from ear to ear. We came back into the store and they did the servicing of the bike while we waited.
Then, he said something that totally cracked me up: he said "This is totally different than when I got Henry's old bikes. This is just the best as now I got to have the "bike store experience"! All I could think of was tpf ladies going on about the joys of having the "bourtique experience" and how special it is!
Where he came up with that expession, I have no idea! He sure never heard anything like that from me or from my daughter!
Just had to share this with you - thought it was a hoot! Perhaps someday, he'll want his wife to have the "boutique experience" and will buy her an Hermes bag!
So, 2 days before Christmas, I called the boys and had the elder boy 11 1/2, to measure his younger brother for height and inseam to the floor. Told him I'd found a pair of dress pants on sale and needed these measurements.
With measurements in hand, I went back to the store and asked if he was now big enough - he'd grown over an inch in less than 5 months. Yes, he would fit! I didn't want to mess with the logistics of hiding a bike, even for 2 days, and having to transport it to his house Xmas morn, so I printed out a picture of the bike from the Trek web site, folded it up and wrapped it in Xmas paper. I wrote on the picture that I would take him to the store Mon AM to choose his color and get his new bike.
Being 2 1/2 years younger than his older brother, his two previous bikes had been hand-me-downs. He did not appear to mind at the time and always appeared pleased with them.
Xmas morning when he opened the paper, he was astounded - just kept asking if he was getting the bike in the picture and would it REALLY be tomorrow. He was over the moon! The next morning, he called me at 9:30 to find out what time the store opened - I said at 10AM. He said he wanted to be there then. I said that was up to Daddy as he had to come with the bike rack on his car- he yelled for his father to get up immediately.
So, at 10, we were at the store and he chose his color and the SA started explaining how to use the 21 gears. I suggested a test ride in the parking lot and off we went. He took to it immediately and rode it like a pro, grinning from ear to ear. We came back into the store and they did the servicing of the bike while we waited.
Then, he said something that totally cracked me up: he said "This is totally different than when I got Henry's old bikes. This is just the best as now I got to have the "bike store experience"! All I could think of was tpf ladies going on about the joys of having the "bourtique experience" and how special it is!
Where he came up with that expession, I have no idea! He sure never heard anything like that from me or from my daughter!
Just had to share this with you - thought it was a hoot! Perhaps someday, he'll want his wife to have the "boutique experience" and will buy her an Hermes bag!