Thursday, October 09, 2008

People in Your Neighborhood

Jacob went out for the afternoon with his Gammy. They went shopping for new school shoes and are having a quiet dinner at his favorite restaurant, Olive Garden.

I am currently watching three children, not my own, playing in our backyard. Three kids came to the door about an hour ago looking for Jacob. I told them that when they saw the other car in our driveway he would be home and they could play then. So they left. Ten minutes later they rang the bell again and asked if they could just wait for him because they didn't want to miss him. They are planning all the fun things they are going to play when he gets here. They're excited.

Eight miles away the doorbell never rang. The neighborhood kids didn't want to play with my kid. They liked to laugh at him and try to fight him at three years old, but never did anyone come over to play with him.

I'm guessing I probably should've insisted the kids head home until Jacob returned but I was just so happy that my kid has kids who actually LIKE him I didn't really know what to do. They peek in here now and then and wonder if he's back. They need to tell him about some new Star Wars toy and the new Bakugan they got. What the hell is Bakugan? Should I even let my kid play that? Am I supposed to be outside watching them (I can see them from the living room windows) because I really have things I need to do in the house. I didn't figure on baby-sitting today.

I'm hoping Jacob gets here soon. I know he will be so thrilled that he has not one, but three friends waiting on him. It's new territory for him.

And for me too.

Anyone have a book on neighborhood playmate etiquette I can borrow?

And why does this song keep going around in my mind?

10 comments:

Lynsey said...

that's awesome! I'd be serving them some fresh squeezed lemonade and eclairs! :)

sherrypg said...

At least you have boys over to play. Our new neighborhood is all girls! It is pretty cute opening the door to four little girls asking if The Boy can come out and play, but still....

We are a Bakugan household now. They battle like Pokemon, but instead of just cards, you get a pingpong ball sized critter that opens up when you set it on something metal. They're pretty cool.

Erin said...

It's really great that he has pals now. As far as etiquette, maybe just make sure you know the moms/dads and where the kids live. The kids in our neighborhood rove in packs!

Kether said...

This made me cry. Liam was rejected once at a park and it pierced my heart...
So happy that your boy has friends!

tracey.becker1@gmail.com said...

Awww.w.. You're making me smile.

Bakugan is like Pokemon. Nothing really bad about it. Just annoying Japanese animation. I like Pokemon, though, because there is NO blood, guns, or death. Gotta love that.

Dana said...

I have no playmate etiquette for you here. We have NO playmates living anywhere close. It sucks! It's one of the many reasons I would LOVE to live in a real neighborhood. I know country living is awesome but it's just not conducive to playdates and neighborhood fun!

Aunt Becky said...

This is precisely why I love my neighborhood. I really, really do.

Lynanne said...

I had no idea what a Bakugan was. It sounded like some scary disease causing organism. I got lost after Pokemon.

How awesome that Jacob has friends now!

I Am Boymom said...

We love our new neighborhood AND our old neighborhood for the same reason. I have to laugh when we are gone for the afternoon or get home from school late and the neighborhood boys all follow our car into the garage demanding to know where we have been, because they have been "WAITING ALL DAY!!" Sometimes I get frustrated because I can't ever keep my house clean with a gaggle of boys running in and out all day, but my kids are happy, so I guess that's what matters. Yay for you and Jacob!

Shane H. said...

I always tell my boys' friends that I'll have them call when they get home. But, I totally understand your enthusiasm. When the boys go up the n'hood to play we make them take a walkie talkie. I sorta like to know where they are and what they're doing. I'm so happy for your little man that he has pals now. That's awesome! Oh, and thanks for the n'hood song....haven't heard that in years!