Jana, the little helper

We sold a little of our extraneous stuff at a friend's neighborhood garage sale not too long ago. Of course we had to check out what others were selling and found some spectacular deals, but none as spectacular as a 12" bicycle with training wheels for Jana. It was $1.00. It's very much a Dada conspiracy to get his girls riding bikes as quickly as possible so a bike Jana could actually ride was just too much for father and daughter.

Jana loves bike rides. Last summer, our Thursday was family ride day. Mama, Dada, and Jana would load up for the community 12-mile family ride with Jana in the trailer behind Dad. Every time Dada would go for a training ride Jana would ask for her helmet and to go along. On Daddy-Jana shopping trips, we would stop by the bike section to check out all the Jana-sized wheels. She would try them out and scream bloody murder when it was time to go, but out of that we discovered Jana wants a purple bike. Dada promised we would build a purple bike together and that seemed to calm things down enough to slink out of the store.

The bike was stored outside so the chain was rusted and the paint was faded beyond recognition. The plastic parts were so deteriorated, they cracked with the slightest touch. We think it used to be hot pink with purple accents. But Jana loved it. She got right on and demanded to be helped around the yard at the garage sale. It is her bike. Like Daddy's and Mommy's. She was so proud and asked every day for her helmet and to go for a bike ride.

Every day, Jana and Daddy would discuss going to pick out paint to fix her bike. She got to pick out the color at the local auto parts store so we got a three stage paint that sparkles. We had to get new grips and a chain guard so we went to Daddy's favorite local bike shop (always go to the LBS, not the department store - you'll thank us later). Daddy snuck into the other bike shop a block away to get some special finishing touches. Once all the parts were accounted for it took a few days before Daddy could carve out some time with Jana awake to work, since she had been asking to help for a few days.

Today was the day. Kara took an especially long nap after swim class and Daddy did most of the prep work before Jana woke up from her nap. When Jana awoke, the bike was dismantled down to the bearings and bushings and Dada was scraping what was left of the decals from the frame. Jana immediately jumped in and picked up a ratchet to help.

Dadda cut sandpaper for little hands and Jana helped sand off the rust on the fork. Jana shook paint cans and wanted to spray. Finding she didn't have the finger strength she agreed to press Daddy's finger to spray the bike parts. She gathered brushes to clean up the greasy axles and bearings. With an endless litany of "No, Daddy! Jana do it!" We cleaned and rinsed the parts. We greased the bearings and rebuilt the wheels. She fetched tools for Daddy - some correct, some not. She grabbed the parts (and sockets she brought out) as they rolled down the driveway. She brought out her shopping cart to hold the brushes in case we needed them again. She pushed little sister over to look at the freshly painted parts (and only took a little coaxing to bring her back) and held them up for Sissy to see.

By the time Jana had to go to bed, the bike was almost reassembled with an odd set of parts - dinosaur grips, a 16" bike chain guard and a section of used chain from one of Daddy's bike. The only thing left to do was some fine tuning of the rear wheel, putting on the pedals and installing the training wheels (and, of course, Daddy's special finishing touches). The bike is now sparkly purple, just like she wanted, and looks much better than when bought. Jana helped every step of the way so it really is HER bike.

Despite wearing her pretty princess shirt, Jana was filthy by the end of the process.

Daddy caught putting on the final touches. What little girl doesn't NEED a bike with pink and silver sparkly streamers.

The finished product. All that is left is getting Jana's final approval.

Just like Christmas morning, Jana was ecstatic to come down stairs and find her surprise.

First thing to do: get on.

How about a little tour of the kitchen.

Oops, ran out of room.

Taking her first bike ride on the newly decorated bike.

We now take at least one trip out everyday for a bike ride. Kara in the push car, Maiya (the dog) towing us along, and Jana speeding ahead yelling "Go Jana Go!"