People-Watching

Last night I went to Target to pick up a few things. While I was there I:
-heard a child screaming and crying the entire time, about thirty minutes, even when he/she was clear across the store from me.
-observed two unsupervised 5- or 6-year-olds playing in the makeup department. When I say playing I mean they were taking the caps and lids off and helping themselves to the actual product.
-saw a teenaged girl wearing a strappy pink top that was completely see-through in the back. See-through as in I could see every detail of the waistband on her jeans. I did not see the front of her so I have no idea if the front of the shirt was the same as the back.
-saw another pre-teen girl wearing a ruffly skirt that barely covered her bottom walking around with her parents.

Now, I have yet to personally experience the Public Toddler Meltdown. I have one toddler who has thus far been pretty good in our excursions. However, I am sure that some day, somewhere, some child of mine will bless me with such an exhibition. Therefore I will not judge a parent or caregiver of a melted-down toddler because you never know all the details as to why it is happening (the child is hungry, tired, not feeling well, etc.) BUT if said parent or caregiver is handling the situation by telling the child to shut up, or by making empty threats, etc., that is another story (I didn't see that happening yesterday but have witnessed it before.)

However, young children wandering around the store unsupervised is unacceptable, in my opinion. It's unacceptable for many reasons but the main one is that it's just not safe! Anyone could lure your little person outside and snatch them up. Just recently someone told me about a child being kidnapped in a Walmart not too far from here. So use your smarts, parents. At the very least keep your children safe, even if you aren't teaching them to respect the property of others.

It also makes me sad to see girls dressing so immodestly in see-through shirts and super-short skirts and shorts. Is it any wonder that child pornography is on the rise? Why are people so surprised that teen sex and pregnancy continues to increase? If an adult woman decides to dress that way, well, that's her decision. She is responsible for her own actions. But why would you subject your child to the perverted imaginations of all kinds of people? Ugh. I know I shouldn't be, but I am constantly amazed by the ignorance and indifference of parents.

On to happier things. The Boogie's vocabulary is increasing weekly! Here is what she says now, with understanding:
-hi
-bye
-no
-uh-oh
-more (when she wants anything, not just more of something)
-baby
-nose (while pointing to it)
-eye (while pointing to it)
-mama
-daddy

She also says "yeah" and "oh, no!" though I doubt that she knows what they mean. She used to answer "yeah" to every question we asked her but now she's switched to "no". :) Recently she started saying something that sounds like "thank you" when I give her something. She's done it consistently several times so I think that's really what it is. She obeys (usually) when we tell her:
-come here
-sit down
-stand up
-be still
-get your burpie
-stay here by me
-don't touch
-eat your food

...and knows what we mean when we say:
-are you hungry?
-let's pray
-time for a bath
-let's go for a walk
-let's brush your teeth

She can hum several bits and pieces of several songs. She knows all the hand-motions to "Itsy-Bitsy Spider" and "If You're Happy and You Know It" and spins around then sits down while we sing "Ring Around the Rosy". She can even hum the last part by herself -- I'll often hear her singing (in her own language but it's close enough for me to tell what she's doing) "ashes, ashes, all fall down" to herself while she spins then sits down. She LOVES LOVES LOVES music. Playing cds or the radio in the background seems to calm her, and she will stop whatever she's doing and come running to dance along if a song comes on the tv. I'm curious to see how that develops as she grows older. Lord willing we can get her into some kind of music lessons.

She is growing taller as well. I noticed the other day that some of her summer clothes are getting small. I guess it's just as well since in a few weeks I'll be pulling out her fall and winter clothes. She continues to be a content, happy girl, and we are enjoying her so much!