Playground Bullies

Last night we were at Kira's softball game, which by the way was a great game. They won in extra innings. It was actually really a fun game to watch. Kira is still learning a lot as far as softball goes but she knows every single dugout cheer and loves her team of all girls. (She's had some not-so-good experiences on her co-ed teams). Girls softball at this level (the girls pitch to each other) is pretty much 90 minutes of boredom punctuated by sixty seconds of excitement here and there. So during on of these 60 seconds of excitement I ignored Isaac, Kate and Calvin on the playground to watch the game. When I looked back a few minutes later to check on them Kate had her arm around Isaac and they were surrounded by four boys about Calvin's size. It didn't look good so I ran over to see what was happening. While I was running, I could see a boy run around the back of Isaac and lift up his shirt. As soon as I got there, the older boys quickly ran off. Kate then told me how these boys were making fun of little Isaac. They were teasing him about wearing a diaper (he's two for heaven's sake) and teasing him about his hearing aids asking, "What are those on his ears?" and "What's wrong with his ears?" I suppose I could choose to interpret it as mere curiosity but they even took his little plastic sword away and hit him on the head with it. Let me tell you, my blood was boiling. Now, for those of you who know Isaac, you might be thinking that he probably started it. I have to admit that was one of my first thoughts but Katesie assured me that Isaac didn't do anything. I don't imagine he would do much to boys that size. Anyway, I couldn't pick the boys out of the crowd at the playground so there was nothing more I could do. Plus, Kira's game ended about 5 minutes later. Isaac honestly was pretty oblivious except for the sword incident. He didn't really seem upset but Kate was a little. She had run over to his rescue, put her arm around her shoulder and even told the boys, "You're not being nice. You should be nice to him. Don't be mean to my brother!" etc. I was so proud of my tiny little Kate. She was so brave! When I told Jeff about it he said, "I don't know if I'm ready for that yet." I honestly thought it would be a few more years before he had to deal with teasing. I guess I did think that I'm glad our little Isaac is such a fighter. I don't think he'll let other kids push him around or be mean. He'll definitely stand his ground.