We Heart Country Village

Lilah and I met up with Olympia and Elena at Country Village in Bothell yesterday afternoon. I hadn't been there since I was much younger when my mom used to go there and I'd tag along and go into all the crafty, country-style shops. It's just a 15 minute drive from our house and Olympia had told me about this great coffee shop that's made for kids - moms can sit around and drink coffee and chat, while their kids play with toys, puzzles, the little kitchen set, read books.
Lilah and I got there a little early and as soon as we get out of the car we hear this loud "cock a doodle doo" and there is a rooster about 20 feet from us! He had a friend nearby and they went back and forth cock-a-doodle-dooing. There's a pond right there with a million ducks (since I think they get fed by every child that comes here) and they are all very friendly and tame. Lilah was in fowl heaven! She honestly could not stop "ooohhing" and screeching and screaming. She'd wave to the ducks and would have joined them in their poop infested man-made pond if I would have let her. When Olympia got there with Elena her comment was, "Is she always like this or is she just really excited?". Ha! She was very excited, but also "oohs" at everything now.
So, we made our way eventually to the coffee shop and played with the girls. I realized I am "that mom" that cannot put up with or keep my mouth shut when kids are misbehaved. I think I may make some enemies this way, but then you should probably keep an eye on your children and teach them manners. Yes, I am still worked up about it. To make the story short, this little girl (5 years old, at least) didn't want Lilah to come near her, play with "her" toy (that belonged to the coffee shop) and actually pushed her a few times and told me she didn't want her to touch her sister's toys, or whatever. I think my face turned the color of a strawberry. I did have to tell that little girl that Lilah is just a baby and if she didn't want her to play with her stuff she should probably go elsewhere. Mind you, I was not necessarily upset with this little girl. I was much more upset with her mother who sat only feet away chatting with her friend and not paying attention to her rude daughter, and who had somehow forgotten to teach her any sort of manners or sharing rules. Ugh!
So, I learned that this is the first of many, many times I'll be flaberghasted by other parents and children. However, I can hardly wait to go back with Lilah. I think it'll be her birthday treat to go there and play with the ducks and roosters, have some coffee and play time, and then swing on some swings and go down the slide at their little play area. Fun!