Righteous Indignation Galore

Stinkerbell participated in a local library's summer reading program. She just finished kindergarten and was therefore not eligible for the prizes for reading the most books. She did great and her reading did improve a lot.

Kudos to her.

Her BFF, Lauren, won 1st prize in her age group for reading 300! books. 300 in 3 weeks. gawllleeeee

Anyway, today was the awards ceremony and picnic/celebration for the participants. I regret attending with every gray hair hidden by Ms Amy at Rumorz Styling Salon.

Because Stinkerbell didn't enroll in the program - because we had been out of town - she wasn't named as a participant and allowed to pick a toy/prize from the 2 tables FULL OF TOYS. At the first event, we asked if she could still take part. "Yes, but she won't be eligible for the top prizes."

Remember that, "top prizes."

However...

The library lady did announce after ALL THE KIDS PRESENT had gotten their toys, that "if anyone was left out, to come on up and get a toy."

Is that ambiguous to any of you?

Nope, didn't think so.

So, Stinkerbell didn't hear that announcement and didn't know where to go, so I went with her.

me: She didn't get to get a toy yet.

Library butt-munch Nazi: What's her name?

me: Stinkerbell Auburn

Library butt-munch nazi glances at list and doesn't see her name

this is where I should have shut up and just let Stinkerbell get a stupid Bratz doll and be thrilled with it. But nooooOOOOOOO.

me: She didn't get to enroll, but she attended all the programs and checked out and read 29 books.

Library butt-munch nazi: I'm sorry. She can't have a prize.

me, incredulous and mama-bear-like: You just said that if anyone was left out...

Library butt-munch nazi: Yes, but we had a deadline for enrollment and it wouldn't be fair to the other kids...

me, about to slap her or cry or swear big bad words: You have toys on the table here that NO ONE is going to get. EVERYONE has gotten a toy that should have gotten one. You can't let her have ONE TOY that is ALREADY PAID FOR???

Library butt-munch nazi: I'm sorry.

me: you mean I have to explain to her that YOU won't let her have a toy that NO ONE ELSE wanted and NO ONE ELSE will get and is going to be boxed up in some attic somewhere?

Library butt-munch nazi: Yes, I'm sorry. She can still have the coupons for the free meals at our local restaurant sponsors...

me, about to seriously cry, can't respond, turned and walked away.

Stinkerbell wept. I cried with her and told her how unfair it was and that I didn't understand it either.

When she went to the lady with the coupons, she was refused them too.

I'm about to chew on some librarian a$$, people.

So, we left the awards ceremony and were going to eat their free hotdogs and play on their bouncehouse and swim in the city pool for free. But the bouncehouse was HOT to the touch. And BFF Lauren doesn't eat hotdogs and I was praying for a big ol' frog-choaker rain to ruin it for the Nazis.

We left.

And ate pizza and drank Sprite at Mama Maria's cafe. In the AIR CONDITIONING.



So, now join with me in sending wishes of people putting books back in all the wrong places and talking above a whisper and general mayhem at the Rainsville Public Library.

:-P~