"Girls run, boys go on long bike rides"

Joshua informed me yesterday that "Girls run and boys go on long bike rides." Though I haven't been running much recently, I know he gets this from our (Dan's and my) individual preferences for activity. I'm not too sure that I want him making gender classifications like that at this point in his life, but at least he's got an idea that our family moves.

After Joshua's announcement yesterday we spent an hour and a half in the heat and humidity so that he could do his "boy" thing and ride around the block several times. He figured out that he can stick a water bottle in that U between his handles, and so he has more endurance now that he stays hydrated. It's probably a good that he's thinking about endurance and "long bike rides" now--Dan is already talking about taking Joshua on a cycling trip from East Coast to West Coast when Joshua turns sixteen.
And just a quick glimpse at part of our daily routine: each morning as Dan is just about ready to leave Joshua just has to sit on the porch and pretend to mount Dan's bike. Then he gives him a "smooch" and hug, gives his last words of caution ("be safe", "don't forget your lunch", "be careful") as he watches him roll down our street. It's kind of funny.