Who says people can’t change?
I have long been a messy person. Not dirty, making-yogurt-in-your-closet-thanks-to-forgotten-cups-of-milk-dirty – but messy. The kind of messy that irritates others (parents, housemates, spouse), even if I know exactly where everything is. Organized chaos at best.
I was the kid who didn’t keep her room neat. I’m the adult who struggles to de-clutter. Most days, I’m simply too busy to see the mess.
But I don’t want my kids to learn by example and grow up to be messy, too. So, even though I really don’t care if my house is neat at the end of every day, we encourage a family clean-up time before or after dinner. We ask our kids to help us tidy their rooms regularly. I make a game out of sorting laundry, and continue to be amazed that both kids are (usually) eager to help.
After my laundry room reno, I was smitten by the endorphin rush of getting organized. And with spring around the corner, what better time to re-enlist the design dream team of The Home Depot Canada and Kismet Interiors?
Together, we embarked on my biggest spring-cleaning project to date and it ultimately led to a clean, functional and supremely organized garage. It was an enormous undertaking, but, get this: I can actually park my CUV in there now. Comfortably.
Check it out:
From a chalkboard along one wall to amazing Husky cabinetry (which means you can close the doors on your mess if you need to) to one of the most versatile hook systems I’ve ever seen, you really need to check out Erika’s post to see more of the incredible before and after pics, and use her garage organization tips in the Huffington Post. Ginormous thanks to The Home Depot Canada for its generous contribution to bring this project to life.
It’s been a cathartic experience, and I feel like it’s helping me turn over a new leaf and better model the kind of person I want my kids to become one day.
Speaking of learning new tricks, this is the summer we intend to teach The K Man how to ride a bike – without training wheels.
He’s always been a very cautious child, and it took a lot of convincing last year just to get him on his bike. But he’s matured a lot this past year and when we pulled out his Radio Flyer Classic Red 12″ Cruiser during our garage overhaul, he was excited to take it for a spin.
I still question whether I should have gone the balance bike route, but for now I’m just thrilled that the kid who cried when I suggested we go bike riding last summer is now eager to throw on a helmet and follow his buddies down the street.
THE GOOD
The No. 1 reason I was willing to shell out nearly $140 for a kid’s first bike was that it’s unisex. Most decent bikes are in the $80 to $100 range anyway, so I figured that if I could use the Radio Flyer Cruiser with my son and daughter, I’m saving myself a few bucks. It’s a gorgeous, glossy red and it doesn’t lean “boy” or “girl” in its design.
It also comes with everything you need, right down to the bell and (removable) training wheels. The only thing missing is a helmet.
I love a cruiser because it’s a really comfortable ride; you’re upright and never feel a strain on your back. My bike of choice for a few years now has been a cruiser, and I thought it would be an ideal starter bike for my kids. So far, no weird injuries. Bonus.
Love the coaster brake (instead of hand brakes) – it’s intuitive and I never worry that it’s not going to work.
Overall, it’s just a slick-looking bike. Now, if you’ve got a hardcore BMXer wannabe on your hands, this is probably not gonna cut it. But for boys who are less rough ‘n tumble, they’ll love it as much as you do. Because, be honest: you buy most of your kid’s stuff for you.
Adjustable seat and handlebars, allowing some growing room.
It’s not too heavy. At less than 23 pounds, it’s pretty easy to lift it up onto the new bike hooks we have in the garage.
THE GAFFE
You have to put it together. Big B tells me it was relatively easy, but if you saw the size of the box in which the Radio Flyer Classic Cruiser comes, you’d be astonished that it’s not already assembled.
There’s only a 12″ version, so there’s no way this is going to last us until age seven as the packaging suggests.
The wheels seem to skim the surface a lot, getting stuck mid-ride and spinning just above the pavement. I can’t quite figure out if the training wheels are the problem, the wheels are the problem or my kid is the problem.
THE GEARS
4/5
So…where can you buy it?
- Indigo
- Amazon
- Mastermind Toys (pink only online)
- Target (USA)
DISCLAIMER: The Home Depot Canada very generously provided Kismet Interior Design with a gift card to shop for most of the products to renovate my garage. The founder of Kismet Interior Design is a good friend of mine and very generously donated her time and design expertise. Huge thanks to both of them for another mind-boggling gift.
Olivia L says
Wow! You did an amazing, professional job! And I love that red door. I hate to even open my garage door when I park for fear of the neighbours seeing inside. 🙂
Mommy Gearest says
Thanks! My amazing designer gave us the vision (and pitched in with some elbow grease of her own)…including the red door! We love going in there now.
Olivia L says
Wow! You did an amazing, professional job! And I love that red door. I hate to even open my garage door when I park for fear of the neighbours seeing inside. 🙂
Mommy Gearest says
Thanks! My amazing designer gave us the vision (and pitched in with some elbow grease of her own)…including the red door! We love going in there now.
Erin M says
I love the red door! A little glam in the garage. Where the bike hooks hard to install? Would love them for my shed.
Mommy Gearest says
Thanks! The bike hooks – and all the hooks for that matter – are REALLY easy to install. But you have to use them on that Trackwall system. You’d need wooden studs in your shed if you want to give it a try there. Might be worth a visit to your local Home Depot store to talk to someone about it to be sure.
Erin M says
I love the red door! A little glam in the garage. Where the bike hooks hard to install? Would love them for my shed.
Mommy Gearest says
Thanks! The bike hooks – and all the hooks for that matter – are REALLY easy to install. But you have to use them on that Trackwall system. You’d need wooden studs in your shed if you want to give it a try there. Might be worth a visit to your local Home Depot store to talk to someone about it to be sure.
angela m says
great job on the declutter and organizing of your garage, It always feels so great to organize. My problem it doesn’t last long. LOL
Mommy Gearest says
I’m still working on that part, too! You’re not alone…
angela m says
great job on the declutter and organizing of your garage, It always feels so great to organize. My problem it doesn’t last long. LOL
Mommy Gearest says
I’m still working on that part, too! You’re not alone…
Monique L. S. says
I feel your pain. Having a baby in the house now, and all the “baby stuff” that goes along with it is driving me a little bonkers. You try to tidy it, but then have to bring it right back out anyways. Plus, my daughter (like many I’m sure) is interested in one thing for just a few minutes and then is onto the next thing…so there are always lots of things out at one time.
Mommy Gearest says
Just wait until you have two! LOL
Monique L. S. says
I feel your pain. Having a baby in the house now, and all the “baby stuff” that goes along with it is driving me a little bonkers. You try to tidy it, but then have to bring it right back out anyways. Plus, my daughter (like many I’m sure) is interested in one thing for just a few minutes and then is onto the next thing…so there are always lots of things out at one time.
Mommy Gearest says
Just wait until you have two! LOL
Candace says
Oh how I wish our garage looked like that! Sending my husband to check out Home Depot organization this weekend!
Mommy Gearest says
It’s so super dreamy now! My neighbour just bought the Husky Trackwall set after seeing ours; I’m glad we inspired you, too! 🙂
Candace says
Oh how I wish our garage looked like that! Sending my husband to check out Home Depot organization this weekend!
Mommy Gearest says
It’s so super dreamy now! My neighbour just bought the Husky Trackwall set after seeing ours; I’m glad we inspired you, too! 🙂
Cristy Doris says
This looks great! How awesome is it to have a creative friend to redesign your garage! Hopefully one day…lol
Cristy Doris says
This looks great! How awesome is it to have a creative friend to redesign your garage! Hopefully one day…lol
Erika says
Andrea, you are an amazing and trusting friend for letting me get in there and re-design your garage. Thank you for your patience! Also a HUGE thanks to The Home Depot for supplying all the amazing organizational products & stuff!
Mommy Gearest says
Projects like these are what could tear lesser friendships apart. I couldn’t imagine doing this with anyone other than you! You have a remarkable way of talking me off the ledge… You did such as awesome job – again!
Erika says
Andrea, you are an amazing and trusting friend for letting me get in there and re-design your garage. Thank you for your patience! Also a HUGE thanks to The Home Depot for supplying all the amazing organizational products & stuff!
Mommy Gearest says
Projects like these are what could tear lesser friendships apart. I couldn’t imagine doing this with anyone other than you! You have a remarkable way of talking me off the ledge… You did such as awesome job – again!
tennille says
LOve the organization-wish mine looked as good as your before picture:) LOL
Mommy Gearest says
Oh, please! There’s NO WAY yours could be any worse than ours was!!! LOL I’m telling you – it took about 6 hours to purge and dump, and the rest is all due to great design ideas and really versatile products. Those Husky Trackwalls are genius.
tennille says
LOve the organization-wish mine looked as good as your before picture:) LOL
Mommy Gearest says
Oh, please! There’s NO WAY yours could be any worse than ours was!!! LOL I’m telling you – it took about 6 hours to purge and dump, and the rest is all due to great design ideas and really versatile products. Those Husky Trackwalls are genius.