February 15, 2010

Snow Days

Weird, unacceptable things have been happening around here as of late. After the big storm last week, the schools shut down for three days. By Friday at noon, I was speaking in tongues.

"We need to get out of here," I announced to my brood.

The front doors of Burger King greeted us a sign bearing some unfortunate news: "Due to inclement weather, the indoor playground is closed."

I was not the only person who felt betrayed. The parking lot was full of minivans.

"This doesn't make any sense!" screeched a wild-eyed mother in the direction of the restaurant manager. "This kind of weather is why you have indoor playgrounds!"

Another mother leaned across the counter. "Please open it," she begged. "Please."

The manager explained that he didn't have the staff to supervise the playground. Several of his employees couldn't make it to work in the snow.

"I'll supervise!" volunteered one woman, raising her hand.

The manager shook his head.

Another mother took five dollars out of her purse and pushed it across the counter.

I kid you not.

I immediately began to rummage around in my diaper bag for something to add to the growing pile.

The manager was entertaining our offer when one of the mothers' cell phones rang. It was the woman's friend, who was at the McDonald's down the street. The angry mob in that parking lot had successfully talked the restaurant manager into opening the indoor playground for an hour.

Time was ticking. Within thirty seconds, we had cleared out.

25 comments

Anonymous said...

LOL! I think we are all near our breaking point with this snowy weather!

Anonymous said...

I'm trying to remember what we did when I was a kid.
McDonald's actually had the big golden arches then and a walk up window where you were standing outside.
I don't think Burger King existed yet.
But, then, we didn't have many snow days back then either.
To some, they were the 'good' old days, to others, today is just fine.
Glad you got a playground before getting arrested for rioting or kidnapping and tying up the manager and throwing him out in the snow. You were probably close to it, weren't you?

The Four Week Vegan said...

Hahaha - no wonder McD's is the #1 fast food chain on the planet - they have business savvy.

Dana said...

That is absoultey funny. You know how much business that Burger KIng missed out on and how much Mcd's probably got??? Justice for sure!!!

HW said...

As a mother of teenagers, I have spent many a desperate snow day looking for ways to prevent myself from poking my own eye out with an ice pick. I was very resentful when our mall installed a beautiful new play land after my kids exceeded the height limit.
I really felt your frustration while reading your post; yet still managed to snort coffee out my nose laughing.
Hang in there.

the thrifty ba said...

snow and cooped up kids will make us do crazy things...

Ann Michelle said...

A friend introduced me to your blog a couple of weeks ago. It's great! I feel for you!!! As a mother of two boys who are today "celebrating" their eleventh snow day-9 of them since Jan.
7th. I hear what your saying.

Twinmomwv said...

We spent our Friday the same way! Praises were sung this morning when school was not canceled. Just enough of a break until the storm coming tonight....

Jennifer said...

Oh... I. Feel. Your. Pain.

Tessica said...

we have been out of school going on 11 days straight!
Me, the hubs, and the five year old have spent quite a few afternoons at chick-fil-a and BK!

Nancy Sabina said...

Thank you for perking up my sick-i-fied, snowed in, disaster of a week. We've been snowed in basically 9 days now. School supposedly starts again tomorrow, but there's also more snow predicted for tonight. But your funny posts just make it all seem normal somehow. Thanks!

Malea said...

That is EXACTLY how I feel when our temp. drops below 50 and it's raining outside. But, thankfully, that's over for a while. Today I can put my shorts on again and take my kids on a hike;D

Emmy said...

Okay that is just too funny! I can't believe they closed it. I have never seen workers supervising the area, never!

Lesson learned, don't mess with desperate mama's!

Rachel said...

Supervise a playland?! I've never seen anyone supervise a playland. That's the dumbest reason to lose business I've ever heard.

So glad you got a reprieve from the cabin fever!

Margaret said...

Good thing they opened it. That many pissed off mom's could be a very very bad thing for all involved!

Heidi said...

Literally rolling on the floor laughing!!!

MiniMe Mom said...

Yeah, what is up with that? Our mall playgroud was closed, too. After longingly looking at it for almost ten minutes, I packed the kids up and headed home. Lot of work for no play.

Jamie Bird, MiniMe BabyGear

Krista said...

Supply and demand! I've never seen a supervised play area. I thought it was a "play in the cest pit at your own risk" kinda thing and the big kids supervise the little ones. Funny!

Sami said...

I thought I WAS the supervison in the play area? No? They actually have people who are paid to do that? Then someone owes me some money!

Kayleen said...

Since when are indoor playgrounds at fast food joints actually supervised??? I have never seen an employee supervise those areas ever!

Soccermom said...

I'm so glad I wasn't there. There is nothing I hate more than the "play area" at fast food places. But then again my kids are 15 & 20.

I have also been known to be the meanest mother ever,so my kids say.

Kim Ginsberg said...

I agree with the other moms - what BK do you go to that there is actually supervision? I'll be expecting my check from BK any time now for the countless hours of "Do NOT climb UP that slide!" that I have put in there.
I totally feel your pain though - my brood has been sick inside for over a week now - I finally said to hubby Sunday, "I don't care if that playland gives him pneumonia, we're going!"

A Mother's Thoughts said...

I love that!! Funniest story I've read in a while!!

The Novelist said...

Desperate times call for desperate measures!

Unknown said...

Oh My Gosh! I think that is the funniest thing I've ever read! Thanks for keeping us in stitches!