This Splash Pad is pretty sweet. It has tons of stuff the kids can run around and get crazy on, with ice cold water splashing them in the face at every turn. There is even an orca whale that mists and every once in a while will shoot water in every direction, causing the children to go straight up nutso butso.
It opens in May and closes in September but is really only super busy in August, when its arm pit hot outside. Yes, that's a technical term.
Like I've said in previous posts, I live in a less than desirable area, complete with a more interesting crowd of people.
In August of this last year, it was about arm-pit hot and early enough that we knew it was going to be a long damn day if we didn't get outside and make the most of it splashing through some ice cold, recycled water.I packed us all up, which includes pretty much everything in the house at this point, and we headed out into the sticky heat.
I could barely find parking. Not a good sign. I finally settled for an illegal make shift parking spot and grabbed Summer in her adorable bathing suite and obnoxious, yet helpful, car seat carrier. Along with the 300lb baby bag, Steve's towel and other child accouterments' weighing us down.
With everything in tow, we made our way over to the splash pad, which it seems, everyone and their mother was at on this particular day. Seriously, doesn't anyone work during the week anymore? It was literally some idle Tuesday and the entire city of Everett was stuck inside the splash pad ice cold, recycled water bubble. Personal space areas be damned! Lets all lay on top of each other, while the kids spit and pee their pants in the water!
Eventually, we found a little slice of concrete that wasn't directly on anyone else s blankets and called it good.
I left Summer in her seat with her shade and made sure to overly sunscreen her pasty white legs and fat baby feet. She was perfectly content just chillin in the shade, that's why I love her. She is just always happy.
Steve on the other hand was about to lose his freaking mind!
Mommy! I'm ready to go! Put the sunscreen on me!
I did the best I could getting some SPF on Steve, but really he doesn't need it. I know, I know.
Its dangerous and he could get burnt or much worse!
This kid has enough of my dark skinned genes that he seriously, doesn't burn. No matter how much exposure or however many hours we are out, he just browns. By the end of the summer, he looks foreign.
Anyway, Steve was off and I was left to scan the sea of children all running in a tornado of water to make sure he didn't get snatched.
Summer and I were sitting there enjoying the pools great joys when all of a sudden:
A man huffily walks over with a 2 year old little boy in his arms, aggressively sits him on the concrete, and sits down in front of him.
"Hmmm." I think to myself, "This gentlemen seems a bit upset."
And I was definitely correct on this assumption.
"Your acting like a little girl! Your being a little girl!"
This grown man, who was presumably this child's father was taunting the 2 year old. Not only taunting him but in a sexually derogatory way, which was even more upsetting.
He then proceeded to throw a towel over the child's head, and was grabbing at his arms really roughly.
I shook my head, I mean really what was I or anyone supposed to do in that situation. I don't hit my children, sure I've lost my temper and squeezed Steve's arm a little tighter than I should have but I try and teach as much respect for each other as I can.
And this isn't my child, nor do I know these people.
But the dad is starting to cause a scene and get even more angry because the little boy isn't responding to this aggressive behavior and is only crying harder.
I notice that a man, a large man at that, comes and stands directly behind me.
I immediately start to look for Steve and grab everything that is scattered about and start packing up.The big guy behind me shouts over my shoulder, "Hey! Your talking to a 2 year old, ya know!"
Oh shit. Its about to get trailer park up in this bitch.
"Mind your fucking business dude! I'm his dad and Ill do what I want!"
Oh God. Whats happening. I get everything put away and mover Summer closer to me.
"Hey! You touch that kid one more time and I'm calling the cops!
At this the dad grabs his sobbing toddler and runs around me towards the big guy behind me.
I start clapping hard, I'm not really sure why, and get in between them as they are yelling at each other.
"I'm gonna kick your fucking ass!"
"Mind your business asshole!"
I break in, "Stop! We are at a park with CHILDREN! Nobody is kicking anybody's ass and stop with the swearing! This isn't a bar brawl!"
Then an overweight, (like 300 lbs, with no teeth and lots of terrible arm tattoos) woman comes running over and starts shouting.
"You've got your baby in your arms! I know you could kick his ass, but you've got your baby!"
What the fucking fuck.
Everybody walks off. The 2 men muttering dark words walking backwards afraid to take their eyes off each other, while the Mom pulls on the Dads shirt, trying to get him to go with her.
I can hear them talking as they walk away.
"Yeah, I know you coulda took him, but it aint worth it."
Ugh.
I notice that I'm shaking and on the verge of tears, the way some parents treat their kids is so wrong.
I was abused by my step-mother and never felt like I could fully be myself. I was always afraid of doing the wrong thing or saying something to make her upset. When I was a teenager, I was so angry at my Dad for allowing it I would explode at anyone who looked at me wrong. I was around 11 when she started mentally abusing me and 14 when she starting physically abusing me. My dad finally left her when I was 17 and she is no longer in my life. She is a big part of the reason I parent the way I do and hitting and talking down to my children is not an option. I'm raising a person, not a punching bag.
The kid was a toddler. Toddlers test you and you point them in the right direction, you don't slam them around. Violence is a learned behavior, it makes me so sad to think that this kid is going to grow up and be super aggressive and think that "acting like a girl" is a horrible thing. Oh no! Hes acting like a girl again, showing emotion! Better beat it out of him!
I'm not saying I'm a perfect parent but seriously, a little politeness, a little respect and whole lot of love go a long way.
And seriously, women bear children. We are the creators of life. How is "acting like a girl" a negative thing?
I don't remember a man ever carrying and pushing out a human before. Take that asshole.
Cheers.
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