Spoilt rotten … send in the trolls

I got an email last week that went something (ok exactly) like this …

Hi Alana,

Hope you are having a great day.

Betts Kids would love to invite yourself and your kids to attend a special Gold Class screening of Planes at Bondi Junction to celebrate the release of the new Betts Kids ‘Transition’ school shoe which features Airflex Technologies. Please find your invitation attached.

The screening will take place on Tuesday 1st of October.

Please arrive at 3:15pm for a 4:00pm film as we will have a Betts Kids specialist who will be fitting your kids feet prior to the film commencing. Snacks will be provided and we will be showing an edit of the summer range where you can place orders for a complimentary pair of shoes for kids attending.

We hope that you can make it.

And you know what I did? I forwarded it to Husband saying: “Should I do this with the kids instead of swimming next Tues???” Aside from the swimming lessons costing a bomb I wondered whether Planes might be a bit young for my nine-year-old who thinks Orcs getting axes through their heads in Lord of The Rings is bulk fun.

But, even as I pressed send I thought to myself Are you mad? The eldest would be happy to watch paint dry if it meant missing a swimming lesson.

So off we pootled to watch Planes and get a shoe fitting. I was just a bit excited because it’s been a looooong time between media-related kiddie treats so it felt like quite the novelty. I’m pretty sure the youngest wouldn’t even remember the last one. (Yes, I shame-facedly admit that I have been very fortunate with freebies in my career as a journalist. Please don’t hate me trolls.)

On our way there I suggested sandals might be the go. Both kids recoiled in horror and said they wanted BOOTS. I explained boots weren’t a summer shoe. They were most pouty. When we got there, the eldest managed to find silver high-tops that tickled her fancy. The youngest, on the other hand, came to me with every single high-heeled shoe she could find. I was like No Suri, put those back and get something sensible.

Then we were ushered into the cinema and handed raspberry slushies, popcorn and choc tops. I haven’t had a choc top in FOREVER. It was AWESOME.

As for Planes … I hate to look a gift horse in the mouth … it was … OK. I couldn’t understand swathes of the dialogue over the noise of the plane engines (old age?) but it was sweet enough, with nice underlying messages about the nice guy finishing first (spoilers).

The kids weren’t complaining because their bellies were bursting with junk and they got free shoes.

In fact, the youngest sat there saying over and over to me: “So this is all FREE?”

She couldn’t quite believe it. (She also said she’d prefer we always attend Gold Class screenings in the future. She’s dreaming.)

But then, a friend has told me a story that proves that even the most privileged kids in the world get jazzed by free stuff. She knows someone who works in a store at Bondi Junction Westfield and the Jolie-Pitts popped in to buy skateboards. The shop assistants handed the kids some free stickers and they raced over to Ange and squealed “Look mom, look! We got free stickers!” like it was the most awesome thing in the world.

Cute huh?

PS Thanks to Betts Kids for such a fun afternoon. Apparently the Air Flex technology stuff means the school shoes are at least 25% lighter than comparable shoes, maximise shoe flexibility, have an Energy Pod System consists of a shock absorbent pod in the heel region of the shoe and have Impact Cushion Technology is a high pressure air cushion that is placed in the rear mid- sole of the shoe. In other words they’re school shoes with sneaker soles and would be perfect for the youngest’s playground skipping obsession.