Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Captain Underpants

We went to dinner the other night at the Pizza Hut at Arkadia Mall. Don't know why, but that is my favorite mall here with the exception of its screwed up parking garage layout. I don't know how anyone gets out alive.

Anyway, Christmas is in full swing here. The stores are all decked out in their window displays. I still can't used to the season starting this early, but I guess they don't really have a Thanksgiving to mark the occasion. They get started after their Independence Day.

Pizza Hut is conveniently located next to Smyk, the children's clothing and toy store. So, of course, my little people wanted to visit after seeing the huge teddy bear dressed like Santa that moved. Because you know we have never been to Disney World and seen a large animated character!

Most stores in this chain have some sort of tunnel like jungle gym (like those at Chuck E Cheese) that leads to a slide that dumps you in a ball pit. So, the kids wanted to climb up there. So off they go while the Cat and I stand there watching. All is well for a few minutes until I start paying attention to the kids running in and out of this thing. I had to do a double take: there was a boy, older and bigger than Thing 1, running around in his black UNDERWEAR! I mean if it was Batman I would get it. If it were summer, it might be less creepy. But it is like 30 degrees outside - where are his pants??? Is it that I am so NOT European that I am a bit weirded out by this? I promptly asked the kids to put on their shoes so we could leave.

1 comment:

Lucy Filet said...

Hm, I don't get weirded out by it. I think I've been in Europe too long.

Another American mom and I were talking yesterday about swimming at the school and how the locker room has no privacy. I was like, yep, it doesn't creep me out anymore. But I do remember when I first went to a swimbad in Germany and how I was like, WHAT? You just want me to change HERE? IN FRONT OF EVERYONE???

Now I'm not bothered by it, unless I'm with other Americans.