Watching the big kids at the library
I took Holden to the children’s section of the library for the first time yesterday. Bill and I had taken him to the main parts several times, but for the first time, after many rainy days, I decided to take him there to actually play. He’s a very social child and loves watching people, especially kids, so I thought it would be fun for him if we just sat on the edge of the play area so he could do some up close people watching.
Holden had a blast. I, on the other hand, was trying hard not to hyperventilate. As a certified germ-aphobe, I quickly learned that, as a mother, I need to get over it.
As we sat on the filthy rug that had the strong scent of urine, I saw all these little wooden blocks scattered about. I soon learned that these blocks were not actually for building or playing, rather, they served as a community snack for all the children. I saw one child noshing on a block and then toss it, only so another kid could pick up the block and nosh on it. When that kid was done with the block, another one soon stepped in for a bite. Picture a joint being passed around, only rather than experiencing a fun high, you instead get some nasty illness so far passed down that even the CDC would have a difficult time finding patient zero. I was fascinated and horrified at the same time.
But as I said, Holden had a fabulous time. Now able to sit up well on his own, he sat on the rug shrieking with utter excitement at the chaos that surrounded him. And he wanted to be a part of it all. He took every opportunity to make eye contact with someone and have a conversation with them. He talked to people even when they weren’t paying attention to him. There was one father there who kept quizzing his son… annoyingly, so. He kept asking, “What’s this? What’s this?” and then would get frustrated when his kid kept trying to, god forbid, play. And the thing is, the kid was barely verbal. I mean, he kept referring to the kangaroo as “ouch.” But with the way his father kept interrogating him, I can only think that the boy meant “ouch” as in “Ouch, dad, I can already see the huge bill from my psychologist when I am 30 and impotent because of my performance anxiety.”
But I digress…
Even though this guy’s son had no interest in being quizzed, Holden didn’t mind and kept babbling answers every time the guy asked a question. The guy didn’t pay any attention, as he was too busy being annoyed with his kid, but I found it hilarious.
At one point, a toddler came up to Holden and started patting him like a dog. Holden was awestruck by this little person. After happily screaming and babbling non-stop since we got to the library (including in the lobby and the elevator), Holden suddenly had nothing to say. As this kid was vigorously patting Holden’s arm, all Holden could do was stare up at him with a dumbstruck smile. He didn’t even care that he was being whacked repeatedly.
Shortly after we started our walk home, Holden zonked out. All that crazy fun tuckered my sweet little boy out. And because I love him, we’ll go back… and at some point, I’ll even let him partake in the communal block eating… after, of course, I get him fitted with a child-sized dental dam.
