McMortified

I forgot to tell a story a few posts ago. Actually, I might have just chosen not to tell it because it wasn't very fun to think about at the time.  I can laugh about it now, but sometimes motherhood has a funny way of stripping you of your dignity, and this was one of those times.

While we were in Idaho and Jonathan was busy deciding on a sale order for the bulls, the kids and I had some time to kill.

Typically I am opposed to the play place at fast food restaurants because a) I've heard a few too many horror stories b) I typically go to a fast food establishment because I need food fast and I don't have time to let the kids play and c) they make the germaphobe in me squirm. I'm not overly concerned about germs; I will give my kids a chance to build an immune system. With that being said I can honestly say I've never seen the play place being cleaned though and the thought of all those different kids in there...

Anyway, this particular day we had time to kill and we needed lunch and Maggie really wanted to play at the play place at McDonald's so I agreed. The rule was "no playing until you finish your Happy Meal."  As soon as the last bite was swallowed, Maggie's shoes were off and she was off to have a grand time.

Before I continue I should add that there were at least three other moms with kids in there, so it was fairly busy.

Not five minutes in, Maggie came down the slide and made her landing, but something was not right. Something was very not right.  It was one of those moments where your brain hasn't quite caught up with and registered what your eyes are seeing. So without realizing what had happened, I said out loud for all the other moms to hear, "Maggie, why are your pants all wet?"  And then I realized and wished I could take the words back and quietly duck out of there. Keep in mind that Maggie's been potty trained for quite some time, so it wasn't exactly the first thought to come to mind.  Then Maggie, equally as loud replied, "I needed to go potty."

I'm not sure I've ever seen mothers gather their children so quickly.  And just as quickly wet wipes came out of purses and started wiping down said children's' feet and hand sanitizer was applied.  Meanwhile, Lane had climbed up on the play place platform and wasn't about to come down with any amount of coaxing; he had just started playing after all (I wanted to get out of there as fast as possible!)

All the while my mind was trying to determine the most appropriate and least humiliating course of action.  I decided I'd bring Maggie to the car and run back in and tell an employee.  Luckily, after I had shoes back on and kids in tow an employee was mopping the floor by the entrance to the play place.  As we slipped out I quietly explained what happened and she told me it was no big deal and they'd get it cleaned up.

As we got in the car I noticed them hang a "closed for cleaning" sign on the play place door.  So apparently it does get cleaned, at least sometimes.

So, I've decided on a new word for this experience.  It's McMortified.

McMortified: n an uncomfortable emotion of shame and embarrassment while at the McDonald's play place.            

The wild toms around here have been showing off lately.  I really love it when Jonathan calls me or comes home from work just to tell me that I should get my camera and go take pictures of whatever it is that he saw (elk, turkeys, bald eagles, etc.)  It makes my day :)  This was as good as I got on my way home from bringing Maggie to preschool.  I'll have to see if they're still "in full bloom" as he described them to me and see if I can get a few more pictures.

One of the unpleasantries of spring is how indecisive Mother Nature is. She teases us with a few 75 degree days and the next day it's 20 degrees and snowing.  This particular snowstorm was dropping some of the biggest flakes I have ever seen.  I guess technically they were clusters of flakes, but either way they were huge and magnificent. 

If you've ever taken the Color Code personality test you'll understand what I mean when I say "Mother Nature must be a white personality." You can take the test here if you don't know what I mean, or check the book out at your library for a nerd's version of a fun time :)  I should take it again because it's been years, but last time I took it I was mostly white with some blue.  Most everyone in my family is a white personality.  Whites are known for difficulty making decisions, large or small.  Seriously, you should see how long it takes my family to decide on a flavor at Baskin Robins.

  

Maggie has all her letters down very well and likes to practice them any time she gets the chance...and sometimes any place.  The problem is that no matter how much we've drilled it into her that the only place she can write on is a paper that we give her permission to use, she sometimes forgets and writes somewhere very very very unacceptable. Like a wall.  Or the upholstery in the car. And usually when this happens it's with a permanent marker that we've also drilled into her that she is not allowed to use under any circumstances unless she's supervised. I don't know why there was a permanent marker in the car, but she found it while I was dropping preschool kids off and she used it :-/  I guess it's my own fault for not buckling her in since we were only going a few houses up the road.  Thankfully I've found that rubbing alcohol works wonders on permanent marker stains and it came right out.  (it doesn't work as well on walls because it mars the paint.) I'm at a loss.  I don't want to punish her so hard that she loses her interest in writing and drawing, but at the same time I think she should get the point by now that some places are an absolute no-no to draw on. Any ideas? Kids really should come with a user manual with a thick troubleshooting section :)

Despite this post being mostly about some unideal things that Maggie has done, I love the girl more than anything.  Even when she tries my patience :)