The Little Red Wagon

Kate here. Well, we've reached yet another American family milestone -- the aquisition of a Radio Flyer wagon. After a zoo trip yesterday, sans wagon, during which Cora spent almost as much time riding piggy-back (on an already weary Mommy) as walking, I decided -- wagon time. After a brief test-run at our local Toys-R-Us, we headed home with our new purchase, which, the salesman assured me, required minimal assembly. The assembly was quite straightforward, and for once the instruction booklet was actually clear and understandable, but holy moley, this d*** thing just about killed me trying to put it together. The nuts were lined with some kind of plastic coating which is, I understand, designed to prevent loosening. Well, it also prevents tightening. I had to work so hard trying to get just eight bolts tight that my right hand has three big blisters, one of which actually became an open wound in the process. Thank goodness for Cora's prompt medical care ("I'll go get the big honker band-aids, Mommy!") and her chanting, "Go, Mommy, go Mommy, go, Mommy" as I put my all into the last blessed bolt. She's also quite handy with a hammer -- I didn't have to help her at all as she banged the red hubcaps onto each wheel, while I took a much-needed time-out on the sofa. Finally, our wagon was in one piece and ready for its first spin. Grandma Sally came over and we took kids and wagon over to our neighborhood park for a pre-dinner outing. I wish I had some pictures to share, but I am still (much to my chagrin) untrained in the ways of Brian's fancy camera. I'll post some pictures as soon as he's taken them. Overall, a pain in the ass to assemble, but well worth it.