Grayson, a boy at school in Pacifica, and my son Griffin (eight) were long over due for their first Saturday Play Date. Grayson's parents live in a gated community of Los Altos. When I arrived, I punched in the entry code to allow my car to enter the automatic gate. I thought I was entering a Palms Springs Day Spa. Grayson's mother invited me in with warmest welcome. She set out baked bruschetta and iced tea. It was a very thoughtful entrance and the Play date was going well. The boys had their Super Sonic Power Soakers in this new Summer weather. Everything was lovely.
And then it happened!
Ph, D. Stay-At-Home Mom explained she was "preparing the Home and Garden Gala in Marin that she MUST attend." She asked if I could pick up Grayson from school Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday because she feels honored to be a sponsor of this Gala. (She sang that word, rhyming it with Paaaaula).
I almost spit my bruschetta onto Ph, D. Stay-At-Home-Mom's spanish tile floors on accident!
Did she need cooling off with one of the Super Soakers? I so gingerly declined her three-day babysitting request. We'd only known each other a mere thirty minutes. Why doesn't she hire a nanny or ask her husband?
I wrapped my son Griffin in his Kermit The Frog towel and away we drove.
The electric gate could NOT have opened annnnnny slower.....
*Note, proper etiquette: Best to plan childcare in advance for these type events. Only ask close friends or family for such a commitment.
