5 Year Old Check Up

Today was very productive! While the children went to a program at their former preschool, I tackled a couple of projects that have been hanging over my head for weeks. First I removed every item from my pantry, purged the outdated items, wiped down the shelves and baseboards and reorganized it all. It felt so good to mark that task off my list--and each time I look in the pantry I feel rewarded.

Next I decided to take on the gift wrapping closet. I am a big fan of recycling gift bags and bows. I also keep a small stash of 'just in case' gifts--things I find for huge discounts that may come in handy for last minute birthday gifts. Unfortunately, all of these things are kept in the same guest room closet as the children's dress up clothes. With all of the constant activity in that closet, you can imagine was a mess it is. I only had about an hour, so I made a significant dent, but there is more to do tomorrow!

This afternoon the children I took K, P & R for their 5 year old check up. Their official weights and heights are:
K 39.5 inches and 33 lbs
P 40.25 inches and 32 lbs
R 40.75 inches and 33 lbs

Everyone was healthy, but there was the pesky mater of chicken pox booster shots that caught all 4 of us by surprise. I had mistakenly told the children we were all caught up on shots. (Wishful thinking) Taking the children for vaccinations is one of the more challenging tasks of being a 'multiple mama.' I hate not being able to adequately comfort a crying child before moving on to inflict pain on another one.

We were told at the beginning of the visit that there would be a shot for each child--and the next hour was full of increasingly anxious anticipation. One by one the children informed me that they "weally do not want to have a shot today. Ok, Mom?"

I generally have K go first--as she can usually make it with just a whimper. R cries like we have hurt his feelings at the moment of the stick, but recovers fairly quickly. P, on the other hand, gets very upset and takes a few minutes of cuddling to recover.

I was explaining the concept of 'the last shall go first' a couple of weeks ago and it did not stick...until it was time for shots and suddenly K & R insisted we should implement this Biblical policy. This meant P was the first to get stuck. I knew we were in big trouble when he started wailing as the nurse reached to remove the bandage covering his numbing cream. It was all downhill from there.

As K & R watched in horror P put on a very dramatic show. My heart broke as their big brown eyes started filling with tears...and the looks on their faces...oh my! A minute later, I had to literally hold a wiggling, crying R down. After a quick hug and kiss for him, I had to put him in a seat and move on to K. She looked at me plaintively one final time before she buried that curly head in my neck and breathed deeply. After a little yelp we were finished.

The best news of the day was when the nurse informed us we are not due for any other boosters until they are 11 years old! Hallelujah, I am happy to have the 'shot chapter' behind us.