To celebrate DH's birthday, we decided to take a vacation. Our destination of choice was the Kalahari resort in the Wisconsin Dells. In addition to the water park and other main attractions, there were special activities each day specifically for smaller children. They offered things like coloring contests, scavenger hunts and sand art but the one the kids continued to miss due to their nap was the afternoon session of cookie decorating.
Finally, on our last full day there, I decided to wake the kids from their naps to make sure they could partake. This was my first go-around at this type of resort, so my preconceived visions of each event were pretty much wrong. I had pictured the cookie decorating to be like the gingerbread house decorating we did at Christmas - tables with the kids sitting down, choosing between the different frostings and toppings while parents congregated around with cameras clicking.
I wasn't even close. It was a table set up buffet-style with a tray of cookies on the end, three colors of (really tasty) frosting followed by three colors of sprinkles. It was a first-come basis and when the cookies were gone, it was done for the day.
We stood in the line for a while and as we were just a few people away, Miss M insisted she couldn't hold it any longer and needed to use the restroom. I looked at the attendant and she said "I have one more tray of cookies to bring out. You'll be fine if you hurry." So we rushed off to the restroom and returned to the end of the line a short while later. As we approached the table, I could see the final tray of cookies was down to about ten remaining. There was only one family in front of us. We had made it, whew!
Just then, two teenagers cut in on the opposite side of the table. I quietly said "The line is back there." I was on vacation and not interested in making waves. There should have still been enough remaining for us and the few people in line behind us. Unfortunately, the next thing the boy said was "Oh, let's get some for 'so-and-so' too." I looked up and he had four plates of cookies and the girl was beginning to follow suit. That's when I leaned in and said "Didn't your parents teach you any manners?" Huh? I pointed to the back and said "There's a line. You need to pay attention to the big picture of what's going on around you." He apologized, flopped the cookies down and headed to the line. He was sincere, so when he ended up behind me, I turned and apologized if I came off rude - but that he wasn't being very considerate by taking so many on top of cutting in line. He accepted my apology and we moved on.
What really got my goat, though, was the mom who was across the table from us while we were making our cookies. She commented to her toddler son that he needed to get into line "or the lady is going to yell at you." I looked up and she was staring right at me. I said "You have GOT to be kidding. He's a child and doesn't know better. My comment was directed at the teenagers who should." Pfft. Her parents obviously never taught her any manners.
Oh... and the kicker - Miss M and Miss K had a ball decorating their cookies, but didn't want to eat them. Mine, on the other hand, was delicious.
Finally, on our last full day there, I decided to wake the kids from their naps to make sure they could partake. This was my first go-around at this type of resort, so my preconceived visions of each event were pretty much wrong. I had pictured the cookie decorating to be like the gingerbread house decorating we did at Christmas - tables with the kids sitting down, choosing between the different frostings and toppings while parents congregated around with cameras clicking.
I wasn't even close. It was a table set up buffet-style with a tray of cookies on the end, three colors of (really tasty) frosting followed by three colors of sprinkles. It was a first-come basis and when the cookies were gone, it was done for the day.
We stood in the line for a while and as we were just a few people away, Miss M insisted she couldn't hold it any longer and needed to use the restroom. I looked at the attendant and she said "I have one more tray of cookies to bring out. You'll be fine if you hurry." So we rushed off to the restroom and returned to the end of the line a short while later. As we approached the table, I could see the final tray of cookies was down to about ten remaining. There was only one family in front of us. We had made it, whew!
Just then, two teenagers cut in on the opposite side of the table. I quietly said "The line is back there." I was on vacation and not interested in making waves. There should have still been enough remaining for us and the few people in line behind us. Unfortunately, the next thing the boy said was "Oh, let's get some for 'so-and-so' too." I looked up and he had four plates of cookies and the girl was beginning to follow suit. That's when I leaned in and said "Didn't your parents teach you any manners?" Huh? I pointed to the back and said "There's a line. You need to pay attention to the big picture of what's going on around you." He apologized, flopped the cookies down and headed to the line. He was sincere, so when he ended up behind me, I turned and apologized if I came off rude - but that he wasn't being very considerate by taking so many on top of cutting in line. He accepted my apology and we moved on.
What really got my goat, though, was the mom who was across the table from us while we were making our cookies. She commented to her toddler son that he needed to get into line "or the lady is going to yell at you." I looked up and she was staring right at me. I said "You have GOT to be kidding. He's a child and doesn't know better. My comment was directed at the teenagers who should." Pfft. Her parents obviously never taught her any manners.
Oh... and the kicker - Miss M and Miss K had a ball decorating their cookies, but didn't want to eat them. Mine, on the other hand, was delicious.
3/8/08 Edit: Thanks to everyone for their support of my actions!
I'm glad you said something to the teenagers. And, I'm glad you said something to the mom of the toddler. And, I tagged you. http://pipstitch.blogspot.com/2008/03/tagyoure-it.html
The Kalahari is wonderful, as a WI native, I've been there a few times. An old company I worked for often sponsored events there. Enjoy your trip! :)
Oh man oh man, does this sort of thing get my goat. Yeah, what Dana said - you did the right thing, ESPECIALLY explaining why you "disciplined" them (word in quotes cause I couldn't think of another post).
Interesting how the kids, who were sort of impressionable, seemed to get it, but the mom, who's probably not, got all mother hen on you.
Good for you! Wish I had the nerve to say such things when they need sayin'!
Sounds like a fun place to visit! I visited Wisconsin Dells with my folks when I was maybe two or three years old so I don't remember anything a bout it. I'd like to go back as an adult.
I'm glad you said something to the brats too! Cookies are serious business. ;-)
Wow. Do some people have any brains at all? I can't believe the mom would have said that to her toddler.
I agree with everyone else; you did the right thing.
As the mother of a teen and a tween I can say that those kids needed some arse kicking, or at least a lesson on manners.
ps- adding you to my blog roll as I love reading your posts.