So we’re in that shop that we go to quite a lot.

It’s my kids’ favourite shop in the whole of…the small town where we live.

It is a toy shop.

No, it is ‘the’ toy shop, in more ways than one, as it is firstly the only real toy shop in our town, just for toys, and it is also THE shop, as in ‘THE’ shop to be in.

Like when people say, ‘You de man’ when they think someone is cool, in this case you would say, ‘you de shop’, if you were talking to the shop. Though if you did this I would think you were a little weird.

Anyway, so we’re in that place, The Early Learning Centre, where kids actually get to touch stuff.

There are toys laid out everywhere just for them to play with. The stuff even has batteries.

Anyway, I am there, with Rosie, purchasing a toy for my friend Nic’s little boy C, who will be two tomorrow.

“Happy Birthday C ”

When a handsome, but very young looking bloke turns to me and says,

Handsome young bloke: “So come on, what’s your secret, how do you get your kids to leave?”

And I smile and mumble “bribery” as I scan the room for his tiny offspring. I can’t see any, so I smile at him again, and he gurns like a toothpaste ad’ as he inclines his head towards the bunch of scruffy yet funkily dressed teenagers who have taken over the keyboard and shades Miss E was testing, and are also sporting a guitar and a large remote controlled dinosaur.

Then I get it.

He’s not a dad, but a cute bloke a little embarassed by his mates who are getting ‘down with the kids’, or at least, ‘down with the kids toys.’

It makes me feel kind of wistful, as these kids are so like I was; a bit geeky, into alternative or indie music, dressed in big boots, baggy trousers and little skirts. They’re at an age where they’re just getting comfortable with themselves. They’ve found a group they belong to. They’re up for harmless, daft fun, new experiences and enjoying life and stuff for what it is. They’re just sort of lovely.

We both watch them, the way doting parents watch their kids, with indulgence and humour.

Me: “I’d tell them that if they leave now they can have a go on the Teddybears Picnic ride outside.”

Handsome young bloke: “Come on you lot, if we go now I’ll let you go on the Teddy Bear ride.”

They grin, and lope from the shop, all gangly limbs and smiles, and HYB winks at me as they go past.

And as Misses E and M, and IJ join the Teddybears picnic later, I can’t help wondering if the large teeth marks were left by a long haired eighteen year old with a pierced eyebrow, combat pants and para boots.

NEWSFLASH

As the site is still mid-update, we are still having some teething problems, such as the error messages some people are getting, (me included.)  So, at midnight GMT, my site will be down for a while as Ashley does technical things that I don’t understand, bless him.  And thanks to everyone who replied to Ashley’s emails about the error messages.  Your information really helped.  Big kisses.

P.S. Sign up for Fun Monday HERE.
You know you want to.