This is how we roll

I vowed not to be one of those mothers who enroll their children is countless organized activities, only to become just that sort of mother.

The only criteria I have is that the activity must be very close to our house, or on a bus route. But my town's park and rec department's community center is about a block away, which houses my daughter's preschool and (soon) her dance class. Her swimming class is just a mere half block further, so you can see I have a surprising amount of options.

And I know that some parents think I'm cuckoo by dragging my kids around on a bike, sometimes in pretty crappy weather. The other day, we walked home in torrential downpours with just some rain boots and umbrellas. My neighbor didn't just think I was crazy, he told me so.

But on a bike, I can get in/get out much quicker than in a car. A round trip might take just three or four minutes. And getting outside, even in bad weather, expends a lot of kid energy that keeps the girls from re-carpeting the house with plastic toys.

With gas prices jumping about 15 cents in two days, it might be cuckoo. But feels pretty sane to me.

Now I realize not everybody has the option of living two blocks from activity central, but our central location coupled with non-car transportation means some days when my husband takes the bus, which is becoming more and more frequent, we don't even move the car from the driveway.

Another way to think about it is to contemplate a commute. If I worked in Peoria, I'd spend close to $2,000 a year just driving to and from work, without any pit stops. Did I mention cuckoo?

Hurry up and wait

That was our day yesterday after a very long, very stressful trip on the city bus. I know, I know... I'm always saying things like, "Sell your car and ride the bus. It's fun!" Well, it's fun sometimes, I think.

We don't use the bus much in the summer. I really only take it a few places (transferring with two kids can be a little like trying to pull two kids off the monkey bars and one of the kids is kicking you in the head) and the bike is just an easier option. Mostly that's because I can come and go at my leisure, which I enjoy.

A bus is a whole different story. It only comes by our house once an hour. That requires us to be at the bus stop at 45 minutes past the hour and, more importantly, be at the downtown stop at 35 minutes past the hour. Missing the bus means either waiting an hour for the next bus or walking the mile home.

Ever try to get two kids under the age of 5 out the door is 3 minutes? Well, it's tricky. It's even harder in the winter with coats, hats, mittens and boots.

But when I made an ambitious trip to Meijer yesteday, I broke the cardinal rule of riding public transit in a small town — wear a watch. If you're constantly worried about the time, it's stressful.

To my kids' credit, they were extremely well behaved on the bus. Well, except for my 2-year-old pointing and laughing at the giant Vietnam Veteran wearing a beret, a hat she apparently found hilarious. But all this waiting serves as good opportunities for running around, which at a bus stop, isn't a great spot for that. We did find a nice little spot with steps and some grass.

But while the weather is nice, the bike is definitely better.

Dump the Pump

It's the third annual Dump the Pump day, promoting public transit.

Our family isn't driving today. Steve took the bus to work, I biked to the grocery store/playground and will later be biking to the pool. Our public transit system is offering free rides today, so I'm a little bummed I'm not taking the bus somewhere.

Since we regular make everyday Dump the Pump day, I don't feel too bad. Driving less saves us much, much money, we are healthier and we're contributing to a more sustainable world.

We don't need a day to feel good about that. Although free buttons help. Visit this Public Transportation site for a free button showing your support for the bus/train.