Spoiled but not rotten

A, our third boy, turned 8 years old the weekend. Because we were out camping this weekend, we waited to do presents until late this afternoon.

When I asked him what he wanted for presents, he said that he wanted a DS game and some Yuh-gi-oh cards. That was all.
Oh...and he wanted his old bike fixed.

Well, that was a problem because for some reason, his bike tire just will not stay inflated. We've replaced the tube several times. We've even replaced the actual tire. No matter what we do, it always goes flat within a few days. ZD determined that there was something wrong with the actual wheel and called the bike shop about replacing it. It turns out that it would cheaper just to buy a new bike than to order a new wheel.
Remembering that, ZD asked, "Would you like a new bike instead of a DS game?"

"A" jumped at that suggestion. A new bike would be great! And he could always get a DS game with his own money, he offered.

So fast forward to this evening, when the boy is opening his presents.

Present #1 was a new pair of swim goggles because "A" lost his in the lake this weekend. He was very thankful to get them.

Present #2 was a set of 150 crayons of his very own. Excitement! "A" immediately offered to share them with his brothers.

Present #3 was four packages of Yuh-gi-oh cards including a special 'rare' card. Big smiles and happiness there.

Present #4 was supposed to be his big present. He opened the bag to find a new bike bell, reflective arm bands and some reflective stickers for his bike.
"You can put them on your green bike," ZD told him as I showed how the arm bands worked.
"A" was so excited about them. ZD told him to grab a screwdriver so he could install the new bell and then they could put the new stickers on. That boy had the biggest grin on his face as he ran out the door.
He was so incredibly thankful for his "big" gift, I almost cried at the sweetness of it.

As he hit the sidewalk, he ran into a camo colored bike and nearly knocked it over.

"Hey, who left their bike here?" he asked as he looked around for the kid who must have left the bike. In his head, there was no other reason for it to be there.

"That's your bike," I told him. "Happy birthday."

Astonishment!

As he rode off on his new bike, ZD said to me, "We spoil these children too much."

Yeah....we do. But they aren't spoiled rotten. He would have been content with just the new stickers for his old bike.

Oh....a little advice. When you switch from a regular bike to one with gears....make sure the rider knows that they must use the hand brake instead of back pedaling to stop.
"A" learned that after the fact. Thankfully, he figured it out quickly.