Jan. 25, 2007 - Socialization Sucks
So we've been cooped up in the house since Saturday. So Wednesdays used to be NotAwana, recently replaced with McDonald's playland nite. So I needed milk and diaper wipes (because you just KNEW the moment I mentioned on Xanga that we went SIX WHOLE DAYS without Isaac peessing and pooing up my world, that SOMETHING would happen, and I no sooner hit the 'submit' button and he blew out a pair of 'Wite-um A'Queen' big-boy pants and then squirted piss at my sofa. Today was only slightly better - we didn't have the freeflowing urine, but he managed to smear **** from armpit to toenail, not missing his Spiderman big-boy britches.). Needless to say, I needed to get OUT of this HOUSE last night.
So Brian took us to supper. For a change from McDonalds, we opted for BurgerKing's playland (which I'd hoped would be quieter). Forgetting, of course, that Burger King is twice as slow and five hundred times dirtier than Mickey D's. ((Remind me next time, will you?)) Anyhow because Isaac behaved like a baby, he wasn't going to be allowed to play this time... big boys run n' play, babies who poop in their britches stay at the table and watch.
So, we got there, I'm chanting my silent 'socialization' mantra, we... eventually got food and ate it, and then headed for the play area. ((I'm a firm believer in eating OUTSIDE the play area FIRST, then moving into the playland to play... makes for a cleaner play area, a more civilized mealtime, and less distractions.))
When we went into the play area, it was empty except for three women at a single table, and about seven small children. It was too small to be a MOPS outing, but the mix of ladies/children said they weren't related. I assumed they were some sort of clique or other, and their children all had Bible names (there was an Ethan, a Mary, an Abigail... okay, and a William, who's mother called him 'darling'. DARLing.) They were... 'churchy' women. Development dwelling, latest-fashion wearing, private school sending mothers. Who else would call their 3 year old 'darling'? ((snort)) They saw my kids coming and they packed up and left. Like I didn't see THAT coming. And they witch about MY lack of socialization. Guess it all depends on who you're socializing with. That's half of why we GO TO Burger King instead of Wednesday Worship.
So Ethan and Lydia are playing, having a good time, and we hear kids coming. LOUD kids coming. I'm not about to pack up and leave like the snobs... Lydia would love someone to play with, and Ethan's just not used to other kids - it'd be good for him. Or so I thought.
The kids that came in were Black. Not that I'm stereotyping here, but... okay, my observations have led me to believe that African American children are raised to be not only more aggressive but less respectful than we generic-skinned losers. ((This does not mean I've changed my mind - I still wish I had ethnicity. Other than stuck-up Dutch witchiness in me. See? I'm an Equal Opportunity Offender...)) We're staying, it's good for us to play with others, including others of color. As long as the others-of-color don't go up to my 20 month old baby and brandish two FISTS in his face. Which is exactly what happened the very first thing off the bat. Anna promptly goes into protective mother mode and is about ready to go after a child of five. I'm aggressive enough to face off with anyone of ANY race... and their Mama. Luckily the woman with them called Ninja child off my baby.
The child of five has a BIG older brother. He's... different looking. Paler. His lips are really red for his race. He's subdued, and kicks his shoes off and heads for another corner. Out of sight, out of range of trouble with my little one. So I cease to worry about him. Then two little Asian girls come in (just about Lydia's age) with a baby boy (just about Ethan's age.) Lydia is tickled pink at having 'friends' now, and Ethan is geeked about the other baby, beckoning to him, then running away from him, alternatively. They seem like nice little kids. The two black children are called over to the table (their mother arrives with the food) and says to her adult friend, "Wow, how'd you calm him down?"
We let them play for a while with the Asian kids, and then suddenly Lydia shows up at our table with BARF all over her sock. She was running and playing and slid into a pile of it somewhere. Now, I know it wasn't Isaac, because he never left the booth. It wasn't Ethan or the Asian baby, because they were over by us the whole time. And I'm doubting it was one of the Asian girls, because Lydia didn't let them out of her sight. My guess was the black folk. I shot them a dirty look, tried NOT to vomit as I pulled her sock off and wiped the ((gag)) throw-up off her jeans, and promptly packed up my children and left.
And as I was leaving, I remembered the bigger boy. He was pale, his lips too red. He was abnormally "calm" according to his mother. Who wants to bet that he went over in an area we couldn't see and upchucked all over the kid's mats? Ten to one. I'd lay ten to one on it. ((shakes head)) Thanks. I thought I'd lucked out with not having to clean up a piss puddle. Now I'm cleaning up other people's kid's barf.
I've had QUITE enough socialization now, thank you. I'm STAYING home.
PS: My day has not started out any better. The AO e-list is in a tizzy over someone finding the word 'asssh' in Wind in the Willows... oHMyGoSH - PROFANITY!!!!! ((Do NOT get me started.)) A witch - as in Wiccan - showed up on xanga and was stOOpid. Too stOOpid to even be issued a warning. I proved them wrong in one sentence. C'mon, give me something I can WORK with, people. I'd rather spar with Believers... at least they have SOME idea of what's in the Bible. ((?!?!?!)) Oh, and Barnes and Noble's cancelled an order I made with a gift card - and I'd given the card to Lydia to play with, she left it on the floor, Isaac found a slot to stick it in, and I had to disassemble an entire toy to get it out, and now half my order is no longer available. Will someone PUH-LEEZE have a good day for me????
