The Kindergarten class at Mallinckrodt Academy made their own “Happy Birthday, St. Louis!” book before my visit. Their version includes some fancy cakes and cute little vignettes about their favorite places in St. Louis.

I was touched by how many of the kids wrote that their favorite place was actually Mallinckrodt Academy! Because of all the books! And the slides! And their teachers!

Adorable. I can see why they like it–it seems like a very special school.

Enjoy a bit of the Mallinckrodt version of “Happy Birthday, St. Louis!” below!

Milo’s amazing mom, Amanda Doyle, wrote a children’s book about the Arch–so, of course, that is his favorite place! And you know this city is great because of our big tacos and excellent sodas.

I loved how many kids chose my favorite place–the Zoo! But my favorite kid quote would have to be from the bottom entry, “I love a little excitement. St. Louis rules.” I don’t even know what that kid was writing about, but I’d have to agree. St. Louis rules indeed

Why does THIS not get old? This picture just doesn’t get old.

But seriously. It’s gonna be MAY!

That means the start of the best time of the year. The warm, green, lots of sunshine and happiness months are upon us!

Almost summertime and the livin’ is easy.

So, let’s make it a bit more difficult, shall we?

I’ve accepted a challenge (uh…from myself) this May. A bike to work challenge. I plan to commute to work via bicycle every. single. day.

I don’t want no cars. A car is a vehicle that can’t get no love from me.

I competed in this challenge through the Zoo last September. I enjoyed the benefits i.e. saving on gas, additional exercise and an all around do-good feeling. So, come October, I thought to myself, ‘Hey, if I can do this for one month, why not five?’. Cause that’s the same, right?

And so I challenge myself, starting tomorrow, to bike to work every day from May through September.

But, you may say, Carolyn, you only live one mile from work and you don’t even have to pedal on the way there since it’s all downhill! Is that really much of a challenge?!?

True, my friends, true. HOWEVER. I DO have to pedal a tremendous amount uphill on the way home, which is easy peasy in May but a whole new ballgame in July when it’s about 200 degrees outside and I’ve been working all day.

But, you’re right, my commute truly is not much of a challenge. The majority of it is spent riding through the Park. It is, however, much easier to drive. Think about it. I own a racing bike with a tiny seat designed for a man’s pelvis. Even on the best of biker short clad days, it ain’t no bark-a-lounger. But in khaki shorts? Ouch.

I have to carry all of my work belongings with me on the bike–lunch, backpack, cardboard boxes for enrichment yada, yada. Granted, I am a bit of a pack rat when it comes to bringing things to work, but, hey, it can never hurt to be prepared. I have never regretted bringing that poncho!

So, yes, my commute is an easy one, but it is also true that biking is the more difficult option. Humans (and really most animals) are inherently lazy. Why would we want to take the harder route? Of course, at 7:30 am day after day after day, it is so much easier to recline on padded leather seats listening to morning talk radio than it is to attempt to cross Skinker with a wedgie.

Plus, I look like a dork. Plain and simple. Khaki uniform, helmet, headphones (yes, I am a dangerous, terrible example of a cyclist), backpack, lunchbox–seriously, I could challenge Urkel in nerdiness each and every day.

I’m not saying this will be easy. But that’s what makes it a bike to work challenge.

The rules? The rules are there ain’t no rules.

No really, there actually are some rules, or rather, exceptions.

1. I don’t have to bike to work if it’s storming. Raining a bit, yes, bike. Lightening? Thunder? Tornadic winds? I can drive.

2. I don’t have to bike if I’ve attended a *cough* event involving multiple beverage choices the evening before i.e. like a wedding or something

3. I think those are really the only exceptions. I’m sure I’ll try to make excuses–BUT DON’T LET ME!

I will be logging my miles through Trailnet each day, in the grand hope of acquiring some Critter Cash from the Zoo.

So, here we go MAY! And for a little biking inspiration, a throw back to my rap debut of 2009! (Clean version, of course).

As if I need any more reasons to be excited about May, I have these THREE events to look forward to:

1. One of my very favorite people in the world will finally return from her (three year long) soujourn in Austria! My cousin, Katie, is moving back to the good old USA, newly minted Austrian husband/immigrant in tow! Am I super excited to FINALLY be able to call her on the phone? Why, yes, yes I am.

2. One of my bestest friends in the whole world is going to have a BABY in May! Casey and I have been buddies since preschool and I am counting down the days until I get to meet her SON!

and

3. John and I are going to HAWAII!! We are visiting more wonderful friends, Alex and Tim, and hoping to get some relaxation in as well! Can’t wait to see the real life scenes on Alex’s beautiful coasters !

That is A LOT to look forward to! MAY it all go swimmingly…(ok, ok, that was bad.)