Monday, August 16, 2010

Go Around Again!


Yesterday, I had one of those parenting moments that you don’t soon forget.

Let me set the scene. It was a scorching hot mid 90’s Seattle afternoon. To beat the heat we were hanging out at a local Seattle wading pool. As could be expected, we weren’t alone. Stretching out along the surrounding lawn were dozens of small children darting back and forth around the pool under the watchful eye of their dutiful parents.

We had set our picnic blanket out in a shady spot surrounded on all sides by families with similar plans. Sitting there in our bare feet and sipping on our cold drinks, it was a refreshing break from the stifling heat that stagnated in our air conditioned-less house.

Then it happened. And, almost as fast, it was over.

A woman walking a couple of dogs passed between our blankets. The father, upon seeing this happen turned to his 2 year old daughter and said “Look at those dog go!’

Then another dad, who was sitting with his wife and kids to our right piped up “Where are they going?”

A third dad, who happened to be passing by at that very moment chimed in “To a dog party?!”

Without much hesitation, I realized it was my turn. “It’s up in that tree!” I enthusiastically added, pointing a large nearby fir tree.

And with that we all simultaneously burst out into laughter realizing that we had just shared a moment that could only come from being the parents of small children.

It was probably the first ever ‘Go Dogs Go’ flash mob.

10 comments:

Mrs. M said...

Nice. And I agree, I couldn't see any other group of adults (other than parents of small children) having that discussion. Sounds like the tree was the place to be. :)

WeaselMomma said...

That is fantabulous and certainly a moment never to be forgotten!
I used to love that book. That all ended at it 567,827th reading.
Go Dad Go!

Juli said...

Love this. I must confess that we do this at work too, but with songs. It would probabbly be more fun with Dr. Seuss and much less off-key. -J

Portland Dad said...

That is awesome

Chris (@tessasdad) said...

Hilarious!

Stephanie Meade Gresham said...

"Do you like my hat?"
"No, I do not like your hat."

Love this!

Unknown said...

Good times ... oh yeah!

Anonymous said...

Dr. Suess Flash Mobs, huh? What's next, tweet ups? We're big on one fish, two fish right now, but Go Dog Go is always in the rotation.

Keith Wilcox said...

Oh, that's awesome! Nothing like that happens to me. I got bitten by a dog that came to close once. All I did was yell and scream and threaten the owner. hmmm. I like the flash mob idea better.

James (SeattleDad) said...

@Mighty M - It was. There was cake and Ice cream and Badmitten too.

@Weaselmomma - I hear you. I think I have read it nearly as many times already.

@Julianna - Sounds like a fun place to work.

@PortlandDad - Thanks.

@Chris - It was pretty funny as it happened too.

@Stephanie - Every time we read that part, my son says "He STOLE her feather!!" Hilarious.

@Holley - We dads were of one mind. Kinda like a collective.

@PJ - I am old, my teeth are gold, and now my story is all told.

@Keith - The Go Dogs are a friendly bunch.