Here in Colorado, we’ve been through some interesting weather already this fall. Ten days ago, there were two feet of snow on the ground, which of course brings it’s own kind of fun. We shoveled, threw snowballs and went sledding. It was so deep my 3 year old had fun “swimming” through the snow! This was the first year my son figured out how to make a snowball, and he used his first creation to bean our neighbor right in the face. Hard. (Luckily, he is a nice guy with kids of his own and laughed the whole thing off.)

A week after our snowfall, temperatures were in the 70s and have been mild ever since. My family has been enjoying every minute of it! I think the snow had us all giving up on some of our outdoor fun for the year, but with the beautiful autumn afternoons the kids are out in the yards after school every day writing with sidewalk chalk, making bead crafts on the driveway and running races. And at a time of year when many people are putting bikes in the shed for the year, my daughter’s best friend and neighbor decided it was time to learn to ride a two wheeler. After a few unsuccessful attempts to ride on the sidewalk, I suggested to her mom that the street might be easier for a beginner. I offered to stand in the street and watch for cars, and the Bike Club was born! Suddenly several kids on bikes (all with parental permission and helmets) were riding around in the street while a couple of us parents watching for traffic. They had a blast! All the kids were whooping and shouting about the Bike Club, zooming this way and that, and narrowly missing each other every few seconds. (The kids are all fine: I have a few more gray hairs.) Our after school fun time has been a great opportunity to visit with neighbors (before we all disappear into our homes for the winter) and let the kids be kids after being in school all day. Plus, with the kids outside my house stays cleaner!

By the end of the first meeting of the Bike Club, my daughter’s friend, who was afraid of her bike and put off riding it for months, had mastered it . Many neighbors cheered her on, adults and kids. And when she finally pedaled all the way up the street without her Mom, the kids gathered around her and welcomed her to the club. It was wonderful to watch them support one of their own!

The downside to these beautiful afternoons is that, with Daylight Savings over, it’s dark at 5:15. The kids grudgingly pack up their bikes, beads, chalk and soccer balls and stomp in for dinner. But already they are planning their next afternoon together (I heard something about races with medals), so I hope we keep the nice weather for a few more days, anyway. Or maybe we’ll just go sledding together! You never know in Colorado.