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Plagued

Thursday, 3 January 2008

As if the lice wasn’t enough, it seems as though Pesach has arrived early this year with the arrival of plagues. Well, not exactly like those plagues, but plagues nonetheless.

We had the exterminator out today as we suspected some uninvited guests had taken up residence in our unattached garage.

Issue #1
The bad news: it was a rat.
The good news: it is dead.
The bad news: it’s been eaten by maggots.
The good news: the maggots are also dead.

Issue #2
The bad news: they are wasps
The good news: the solitary kind not the social kind
The bad news: they are called mud daubers
The good news: they’re harmless

Poppyseed and I are nearly free of the lice. We’ve got one remaining visit to the Hair Fairies next week and, with God’s Help, will be declared lice-free.

Speaking of the Hair Fairies…they made front page of the Chicago Tribune. BL (before lice) when I had seen the ad for this place, I was appalled. I mean, what kind of mother has to outsource nit-picking??

Well, experience is a wonderful teacher. I guess I’m that “kind of mother!” I can’t tell you if the Hair Fairies is the best solution. However, giving over the excrutiating treatments to someone less emotionally involved has been a good thing for our Frume-house.

2 Comments
from → children, Family Matters, FS's Musings

When it rains…

Monday, 31 December 2007

So we end this secular year on a slightly-skewed note. December was so full of promise with eight crazy nights and the URJ Biennial providing real highlight. Only to be plagued — bronchitis, ear infections, lice, and now rats in the garage.

But in the end…PC and I are so blessed as we prepare to celebrate our 12th wedding anniversary in one week’s time. With health (mostly), happiness, love, and our kidlets.

Puh-puh-puh!



Best wishes for a happy and healthy (secular) new year!!

4 Comments
from → Beernut, children, Family Matters, FS's Musings, My Crazy Life, Parenting, Peach, Poppyseed

And another thing…

Sunday, 30 December 2007

When Poppyseed pranced into our room this morning at some unGodly hour, I complimented her on the very cute outfit she was wearing. Curious as to who assembled it, she volunteered that she was responsible.

A little while later, I commented to PC that I loved the ensemble Poppyseed had pulled together. “Poppyseed didn’t do that,” he corrected, “I did.”. At which point Poppyseed burst into tears.

“I just wanted you to be proud of me,” she sobbed.

Back to this pride thing again. Has my generation made a terrible mistake by praising our children left-and-right rather than reserving it for the rare occasions when our hearts really do swell with pride? How many bios have we read stating that so-and-so is the “proud parent of a 10 month old daughter?” Honest-to-God, is crawling that impressive of a skill?? How many parent speeches have we heard proclaiming the Bar or Bat Mitzvah so kind, so compassionate, so dedicated that the urge to set the child (yes, we ARE talking about a child as Jewish Law holds one ritually responsible and not an actual grown-up at 13!!) on the road towards beatification is overwhelming??

So no wonder little Poppyseed felt compelled to fib in order to elicit praise. A sad reality.

“Mommy is proud when you make good choices. Lying is not a good choice, Poppyseed. The outfit isn’t what’s important. Telling the truth is. Do you understand the difference, sweetheart?”

“Mm-hmm,” she nodded.

In the rush to fortify their self-esteem, we must be certain to praise that which is truly praise-worthy lest we rear self-important, overindulged children.

2 Comments
from → children, FS's Musings, Jewish parenting, Kids' musings, Parenting, Poppyseed, sermon-esque

Newsflash

Sunday, 30 December 2007

***MomGiraffe has been declared lice-free***

This is very good news.

FrumeSarah and the family are busy rearranging furniture so it’s unlikely that she’ll have any time to blog — but there are a couple of really good ones floating around her frummie head so stay tuned…

2 Comments
from → Family Matters, FS's Musings

The Latest Victim

Friday, 28 December 2007

Momgiraffe has a 1:45pm appointment with the Hair Fairies.

Sorry 😦

2 Comments
from → Family Matters

The Pride of a Parent

Thursday, 27 December 2007

What is it about this time of year that compels people to write those God-awful brag letters? You know the ones. Those letters proclaiming the annual accomplishments of their highly gifted and talented children.

Little Penelope (age 7) managed to find the time to read all of the Newberry award-winning books while earning a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Younger brother Donovan (age 5) was named most outstanding goalie on his travelling club team as well as holding his first gallery showing. Not to be outdone, darling 8 mos old Shkye (the ‘h’ is silent) is completing full sentences in sign language and is already walking. Rounding out the happy family is Benson who placed third in the Westminster Kennel Show.

What about the families whose kids have struggled throughout the past year? Why is it that we never see those letters??

Little Sarah (age 7) was diagnosed with a touch of autism this year but is progressing nicely thanks to her new antipsychotic meds and a wonderful occupational therapist. Younger brother Danny (age 5) is still wetting the bed and infected the entire family with lice but on the upside did learn to tie his shoes. Baby brother Josh (8 mos) still isn’t sleeping through the night, has been crying for 8 months straight, and has mastered the art of projectile vomiting. Finally, the family mongrel, Buster, chewed up Dad’s shoe (it was a Ferragamo!), ate the babysitter’s retainer, and attacked the postman for the last time — earning himself a trip to the glue factory.

Reading brag letters leaves me with the sense that everyone I know has children who would be described as “above average.” Known as the Lake Wobegon Effect, it seems unlikely that ALL of these kids are so extraordinary. In fact, my rather limited understanding of averages leads me to the conclusion that half of the kids should be above average and half should be below average. Is it possible that only the parents of the former group write letters??

And to be honest, what are the qualities about which we should brag?

Beernut (age 7) made certain to give good hugs when saying thank you to family for gifts this year, saying that it is considerate to thank people for the thought even if we don’t love the gift. And when he’s not aggravating his sister, he is particularly kind and gentle with her. Poppyseed (age 4) has been especially helpful with the baby and when her big brother is not vexing her, plays quite nicely with him. Peach (age 8 mos) continues to bring light to all who feel the warmth of his smile. He hasn’t been sleeping so well but his cheerful disposition more than makes up for that.

And so, God, I am thankful for the children You have placed within my care. Children who with all of their foibles, missteps, sticky hands, sweet kisses, and tender souls have been gifted to me. To teach. To guide. To hold. And to love. Whether talented or skilled or bright by most people’s standards, I know that when it comes to finding their way along Your path, they are very accomplished.

And that’s something worth bragging about!

7 Comments
from → Beernut, children, FS's Musings, Jewish parenting, Parenting, Peach, Poppyseed, sermon-esque

Part of the 80%

Thursday, 27 December 2007

Whoever thought that it was cool to be part of the “in crowd” has never had lice.

As mentioned yesterday, 80% of the mommies with nit-infested kidlets catch the lice from them. And for once in my life, I’m in the majority.

“Hey Poppyseed, who do you think gave lice to Mommy?”

“I dunno,” she shrugged.

Thanks a lot!

2 Comments
from → children, Family Matters, My Crazy Life, Parenting, Poppyseed

Cast of Thousands

Wednesday, 26 December 2007

Hundreds of dollars later…and we are on our way to getting the lice situation under control.

Here is the update so far:

*Beernut and PC are lice-free
*Poppyseed has a SEVERE case of lice. All of my hard work, however, was not for naught as I was able to rid her all the live bugs. That just left several multitudes of eggs in her hair. Poppyseed was such a champ, sitting *mostly* quietly for over an hour as she was deloused. Only three more sessions to go. Oh — and here’s the yucky part — she’s probably had this for over FOUR WEEKS!
*Peach and I will be assessed tomorrow. In all likelihood, the baby is probably free from this as his hair is really short. However, it’s not looking good for me. 80% of mommies end up being infected by their kids.

Don’t fret — I’ll keep you posted!

And now…I’ve got laundry to do…

2 Comments
from → children, Family Matters, Parenting, Poppyseed

Bugs — Part Deux

Wednesday, 26 December 2007

Three treatments later…and they are still there.

This has got to be the grossest thing I’ve had to do. And it just torturous for poor Poppyseed. Who does not understand why we can’t cuddle with her. Or let her in our bed (yuck!). I mean we love her. But the thought of lice in my bed…

[SHUDDER]

So we are headed up to LA today to visit the Hair Fairies.

Wish us luck…

3 Comments
from → Family Matters

Don’t Let The Bedbugs Bite

Monday, 24 December 2007

It was supposed to be a relaxing, kick-back day. A cough had reappeared sometime yesterday and I knew that some serious sleep would be in order if I am going to overcome it. Our daytime plans had fallen through so PC graciously offered to take all three kids off my hands. Well, two kids, actually. Poor Peach drew the short stick and was looking at a day of daycare.

And that’s when I saw it. Or them, I should say. Nits. Crawling around my Poppyseed’s beautiful brown hair.

Aw…crap!

Not very rabbinic, I know. But come on, folks, LICE. We’re talking about LICE. Digusting little parasites feeding off the scalp of one of my progeny. It’s really gross.

PC ran to the drugstore and returned with several lice-removal kits. I chose one and got to work while PC got Peach to school. Poor Poppyseed. It took several hours to comb through her hair. And it hurt.

PC, realizing how lucky he was that Mommy was doing the nit-picking, offered to do a lunch run and run any other errands. He was supplied with the following list:

1. red Gatorade
Beernut added a new medication to his regimen and finds that red Gatorade helps him swallow the pill!!
2. M & M’s
Poppyseed is a chocolate whore and we figured that if we ply her with chocolate that perhaps she will forgot this horrific ordeal.
3. Augmentin
To deal with my bronchial infection.
4. Combs
We are going to need these to keep checking the kids’ hair.
5. Robetussin DM
Anything to supress this annoying cough.

Handed the list the PC. Thanks, PC.

PC returned rather quickly (for him) with lunch. Nothing else. He wanted to get the food to us quickly. What a doll!

Plus, he had misplaced the list.

So I dictated another one. And off he went.

The phone rang.

Apparently PC misplaced his list.

OK — so PC returned with everything and we then tackled the task of stripping all the linens, towels, bed clothing, etc. Stuffed animals that were washable went in with them. The ones that can’t be washed are being quarantined for two weeks along with any dress-up clothing that is not washable. Figured that at the very least, the kids should learn a new word and quarantine is such a fun sounding term, don’t you think? We vaccummed anything else that wasn’t nailed down…and even some things that are.

Did I mention how gross this is??

Went over to Mom and DadGiraffe in order to visit with JockGiraffe, Syl, and Sunflower who are in town for the week from NYC. Not five minutes into our visit…yep, more lice visable in Poppyseed’s hair. Another trip to the drugstore in PC’s future. “Since you’re going out…some more M & M’s might be a good idea. And you might wanna fill the gas tank while you’re out.”

So, back to the drugstore for PC.

While the rest of the family enjoyed a yummy dinner, Poppyseed and I bonded during her second delousing session of the day. By the time it was over, any and all appetite was long gone.

Arriving home to find piles of laundry, we kept the kids up long enough to dry their linens and remake their beds. They were so tired they were actually begging to go to sleep.

So tomorrow is another day. Still have to get gas…somehow PC managed to forget to do it. We’ve really got to work on that…

And to all a good night.

1 Comment
from → children, Family Matters, Poppyseed
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