On the Go

Eleven days (and nights) without a diaper. Today, Eliot received the big grand prize for crossing the underpants finish line: a gleaming, new Thomas bicycle with pedals he can reach.

After a few failed attempts to wheel over the ruts in our gravel driveway left by yesterday's downpour, Gramma Lolly hefted Eliot onto her hip and I dragged the bike into camp. We made our way onto the center green. In the middle of camp is a paved rectangle painted a faded kelly green. It serves as a hockey rink in the winter, a gigantic four-square court in the summer, and a training ground for Eliot's future NASCAR career whenever he feels the need for speed. Two tricycles live under a nearby cabin, and now, a little blue bike resides there, too.

It took the kid about 30 seconds to figure out how to make the bike move. The first few attempts were jerky, of course, as every slight backwards slip of the foot made the wheels stop short. But he kept at it. After a few gentle shoves and a lot of cheering, Eliot was rolling steadily through the giant puddles left by the deluge. He then steered himself around a loopy U-turn, and splashed right back through.