Big Day in 5-Year-Old History

I took the day off from work Thursday. Alex and I had big plans, and Art joined us around lunch time. We started out with breakfast at IHOP because, as Alex told me, their all-you-can-eat pancakes are back. (Not that either one of us could eat more than the first plate, but we both have a deep love of pancakes.) Then, we headed to his pediatrician for the 5-year-old check-up. He'd already asked several times if there would be shots involved. I reminded him that last year, which was a horrible shot year, they told him no more until he turned 11. That seemed to satisfy him. So this is how it went:

eye test: great, lots of fun, he remembered if fondly from last year
peeing in a cup: very funny, but no problem
height and weight: he fell right in line, stood where he was supposed to, etc.
blood pressure cuff: the nurse calls it a hug for your arm, we see Papa do it all the time
finger prick for blood test: 5-year-old code word for "lose your ever-loving mind"

The child ran screaming and crying about the doctor's office (in and out of the lab) until the nurse said, "Let's just go into the exam room." As I corraled him and ushered him to the room, he said, "Do we still have to do the blood test?" "Oh, yes, we do!" After much drama, he was restrained and tested. Poor Miss Lisa. She's an awesome nurse, but all he remembers is that she's been torturing him for five year. She told me that whenever one wigs out like that they move to a room so they don't freak out any other children. Great.

His doctor is also great. Alex tried to get her to ditch the rest of the day and go to the children's museum with us. She told him that would leave one doctor for the afternoon and she really couldn't do it. He still weighs 42 lbs., which has been constant forever, but is now 44 1/4 inches tall. I'm afraid he's going to overtake me soon. He did have a sinus infection and we had to get Amoxicillin. More about that later.

From the doctor's office, we went to Target for a few things. As we walked in Monkey Boy had the gall to ask, "Do I still get a toy?" I think I was giggling hysterically as I said, "NO!" He did get new socks and underwear but I don't think either one of us considered that much of a reward - though he did get to pick which superheroes he wanted on his rump.

The second big stop for the day was the elementary school for kindergarten registration. We filled out all our forms and signed up for an open house and orientation in March. Then we'll get to do the tour and see a kindergarten room. It was good to see one of his old preschool buddies already on the list. I'm hoping he'll know a few people when he starts in the fall. While I worked on the forms, Alex dismantled the paper clip that came on them. He is unable to leave them in their original state. They always end up as some sort of modern art sculpture.

From there we picked up Art and went to the children's museum. Alex and I went with Mimi and Paw back in the fall but Art had never been. Alex thought there was lots of neat stuff he needed to see. We did have a good time. We played (loudly) in the music room, Alex did the weather report in the TV studio, shopped for groceries in the market, piloted the space shuttle (badly) and played in the water flow thing-y for a long time. It was great, and we made it out just before they closed. There was a semi-meltdown on the way home but it was a big day for a little guy.

We took the Amoxicillin prescription in when we got home. At the pharmacy Amanda warned me it was bubble gum-flavored. (She knows everyone in our household well.) She wished me luck getting Alex to take it. Last week we had gone through all the kids' medicines looking for one that did what we needed with an acceptable flavor. We gave up. By the time I got home with the medicine after a meeting, Alex was already asleep. So, I got to try to give him the first dose Friday morning before we left for school. Imagine, if you will, a little boy at the Alamo: "You'll never take me alive!" This is what I had on my hands when I held out the beaker of pink medicine. There were tears, pleading, he shook his head, clamped his mouth and refused. When I finally got him to taste it, he spit it out. I threatened the horrible things I might do if he ever spit on my floor again. I offered him a dollar. (He's really been into money lately, and is saving up for some large Bakugan thing.) He said, and I quote, "No money will make me drink that!" I told him, too bad, but he would be taking 1 teaspoon twice a day for 10 days, money or not. He choked, and I do mean "choked," what was left of the teaspoon down, and we went to school all teary.

The medicine thing is highly amusing for my dear mother. I could practically hear her giggling when she emailed me "Pay back is sweet."

Dose #2, after supper the same day: "Can I drink it slowly?" "Yes." "Okay." He drank the medicine and went about his business. That's when I want to scream!

Back to Normal - Or What Passes for That Around Here

Alex went back to school under duress yesterday. It says alot about his usual behavior that the teachers were worried when he took a nap. They thought he was sick again and took his temperature. Apparently he just needed a little rest to get back up to snuff. Today he definitely bounced back. Miss Sarah said that he'd worked back up to his usual quota of timeouts and rowdy behavior. When I picked him up he came running out of the classroom to demonstrate a flying, rolling sort of ninja kick.

This evening was more of an ordeal. Due to a morning fit in protest of teeth-brushing, he was banned from TV for the day. (He did finally brush his teeth, while sobbing and repeating "I love TV! I love TV!") I told him to get used to it - twice a day for the rest of his life, or it was an all oatmeal diet. It doesn't help that Papa Tab has a nifty set of false teeth that he uses to entertain the grandchildren. Maybe tomorrow will be a calmer day!

New, Weird Symptoms, Birthday & More

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Thursday, Alex got spots for his birthday. After much discussion with the nurse over the phone, she decided it was Fifth Disease, and to continue as we had been. The splotches came and went and didn't bother him at all. He was well enough to go to the grocery store and pick out a birthday cake (his choice, I offered to cook). That took most of his energy for the day. He asked for his favorite dinner - quiche - and cake. The presents and cake revived him a good bit. We had high hopes that he'd be able to go back to school on Friday but he was just too worn out. He made it through half his breakfast before crawling under a blanket on the couch. Here's a picture of the guy celebrating the big 0-5. Aside from being sick, his other birthday disappointment was that he gained no new superpowers. He was hoping to be able to fly when he turned 5. I pointed out that Superman was a good bit older before he could do all he could. Alex told me, "At least I have my laser vision." Always looking on the bright side.

I decided to try to be creative while I was at home. (Since I couldn't compete with the Cartoon Network.) I finished a fall cross-stitch piece which I will debut later. And, I made a poncho for my niece, Gracie. It went really quickly and really well. I don't think I'll use the pattern again, though, because the border was very confusing. Here is Gracie with it on:

She was happy with it once we got it on her. At first she didn't want it - she kept saying it was a blanket. Perhaps she is as disturbed by those Snuggie commercials as I am.

Now that I've gotten the smaller version done, I may try one for me. Especially if this cold spell continues. We went to Art's parents' today and could still see snow around the edge of the lake, and some ice. We're ready for a little bit of warmth - at least highs in the 50s.

Day 3: Still Sick

Alex is still fighting the virus but he's not too bad off. I'm trying to catch up on things around the house while he's laid up watching cartoons. It's so cold out we don't really mind staying inside. I think we're going to have to postpone his birthday party for a couple of weeks, though. I definitely don't want to try it this weekend, and next weekend is out because of the MLK holiday.

I guess I could go back to my baking. My dear husband got me a Kitchen Aid stand mixer for Christmas, and I went a little nuts with it this weekend. By Sunday evening we had: gingerbread cookies, white bread, cinnamon bread, chocolate chip scones and a couple of unrelated casseroles. Art asked about the bread. I told him we no longer had to buy bread, I could take care of it from here on out. He said that he'd seen this level of enthusiasm before, and didn't think it would last. He probably knows me too well. Here's a picture of the beautiful bounty.

I Told You I Was Sick!

Today was our first day back to work and school and it was tough for everyone. Art has been off for a couple of weeks, Alex had been off for 4 days, and me for 3. This morning Alex refused to get dressed, eat breakfast, etc. He told me he didn't feel good. When I asked what hurt, he said his nose. Not a terribly impressive symptom, I thought. I made him eat (some), dress and go. It was an ordeal getting him into school, but, again, sometimes that's just the way it is.

The teacher called a little before 2. I told her not to tell me he was really sick. She said they didn't think so at first either, they thought he just REALLY didn't want to be there. Then he got a fever. We are on intensive Pokeman watching therapy now with a doctor's appointment at 5. That should be fun! And, of course, Dad has a meeting tonight. Keep your fingers crossed that it's just a cold.

A Big Thanks to Mom & Dad

We used our Christmas present from Mom & Dad to get this great new island for the kitchen. Art has been working on it while he was off this week and today was the grand unveiling. I'm sure I'll be the first one to run into it in the night but we're really going to use this space. Alex & I made lasagna from our new kids' cookbook today and it was a big help! Tomorrow we're moving on to torn tortilla casserole and a chocolate cake.

Wonderful Things About Christmas

Well, we successfully made it through the holidays! Here is a short list of the good parts - my favorite things:

1) The stocking was hung by the chimney with care. It only took until Alex's 5th Christmas to finish, but I got his stocking done. On Christmas Eve. With him hanging over my shoulder at the sewing machine, telling me, "Mom, we only have HOURS!" To be fair, I did have it within two hours of finished last year, but he wouldn't let me take down the substitute stocking that Mimi made for him. He wanted to stick with that one for last year's Christmas.

2) Slippers so soft I feel like Cruella DeVille. I'm pretty sure they're not made of kitten fur, but I'm not going to chance looking at the label. They are divine.

3) Alex got to go to the Reindeer Retreat acting workshop at the Children's Theatre. He performed the role of Rudolph (though without a red nose) in "Olive the Other Reindeer." He had a ball and now wants to be an actor. Art and I thought he already was. He wanted to go back the next day for more and was quite miffed when they told him he was too young to be in the regular plays. He's just biding his time now.

4) The Spearman Family Christmas Eve Breakfast went off with nary a hitch. We had 67 of the family there with biscuits, grits, eggs, country ham, bacon and sausage for all. No fires, just a lingering smell of pork. This was the third year that Art and his siblings were in charge, and the biggest one we'd done. I thanked Alex for being so nice and talking to all of his great-aunts and -uncles. He told me, "I do my best."

5) It all only comes once a year!

Mimi and Paw didn't get to come like they planned in mid-December, but we hope to go there soon, or have them here in a month or two. For now we've moved on to planning of the gala 5-Year-Old birthday party. The countdown to the actual birthday started this week - only five more days!