Tell it like it is, sister!

One of the (many, many, many) things that I love about McKenna is that she calls 'em like she sees 'em.  Tonight we had sausage in our dinner.  This is still kind of a big deal for me because I've been anti-sausage since attending Christmas on the Prairie at Conner Prairie when I was in 6th grade...but that's another story.  McKenna wonders aloud why we weren't having bacon.  Um, because it doesn't do as well mixed with noodles?  She often catches me off guard.  The next question was the one that made me laugh (the other was just the lead-in).  "So...what kind of animal do you have to shoot to get bacon?"  Not where does it come from like most kids ask...McKenna just cuts to the chase.  

Or this one...

Anna and McKenna were talking about the possible drawbacks of going to the beach this summer sans parents.  Anna was hesitating a little bit.  She wanted to make sure that she could call us and get the rest of the details ironed out before making a decision.  I guess McKenna thought she was taking too long to decide.  She cleared her plate and as she walked to the kitchen she said emphatically, "Welp...It looks like just one kid is goin' to the beach."  I love that kid!

The only thing left to do...

...is plant a sunflower.  After the homeschool convention today, I feel energized and ready to tackle the academic and social rigors of kindergarten with Anna!  I'm certain that she's going to fly through her math.  She was whizzing along tonight.  I'm glad she's excited about it, but how do I keep her under control until we "start" teaching her?  It'll fill in any gaps, but I anticipate that we may end up looking for some extra material by, say, September.  McKenna is chomping at the bit to start her handwriting book, too.  Samuel didn't ask for anything but chocolate milk when I got home.  (sigh, he's so cute)  He's happy to be read to and I'm loving that.  I'll read "Wocket in my Pocket" (I mean, recite....) for many more months with joy.  This is a lot of rambling.  It's just how I'm feeling after getting all pumped up about homeschool.  Oh, and we're letting Anna choose where we start in her sciences.  She picked birds over planets (sorry, Laura) and plants.  She'll be delighted to know that she gets to learn about bats and butterflies, too.  

Oh, and since it's time to come up with our school name I suppose I'm open to suggestions.  Anna thinks it ought to be "Clark Family School".  I can ramble well right now, but thinking up some clever or meaningful name is a bit too focused for me right now.

Risks of vaccinations

OK, I know that with vaccines, especially live vaccines, there are risks.  I firmly believe that the befits outweigh the risks.  Seriously, I think if people had to see all the miserable diseases that they prevent on a regular basis that there would be fewer people who choose not to vaccinate their children.  

So, when I took the girls last week to get their vaccines, I was cheery about it.  I'd much rather have a grumpy girl for an afternoon (likely) than deal with the full blown disease.  I was probably the most giddy person to visit the health department that day.  

The experience was miserable.  Bad idea.  Not the vaccines.  Taking all three kids by myself.  Bad idea.  Anna went first.  I knew the nurse giving her the shots.  She had to call in reinforcements.  I knew her, too.  Anna is strong.  I got a nice upper body workout just holding her still for her turn.  McKenna?  Wailing in the corner before her turn.   Samuel?  Wailing in the chair.  He isn't due until next year.  McKenna is little.  But she's fiesty.  And much stronger than she looks.  Again, it took three of us.  Anna?  Cowering in the corner.  Still wailing.  Samuel?  Still wailing.  Never moved from his perfect posture in the chair.  He's NEVER been so still.  Or so loud.  And he's a loud little guy.  

Good thing they tried to give them toothpaste (with sparkles, no less!) to make up for the pain.  No such luck.  I even took them through the secret underground tunnel from the new(er) judicial center to the old court house.  Seriously.  They continued to wail through the secret tunnel under the road.  What kids don't love a secret tunnel?  The ones who have just been given the gift of not getting hepatitis, I guess.

The funny part is that McKenna developed her usual spring cough that day.  She starts coughing after we get home and despondently tells me that the shots didn't work.  "I've got the disease!"  For days, "I've got the disease!" over and over and over.

What an experience.  

(And somewhere in there, we took Samuel out of his crib for good.  It's out of his room.  I'm not crying about it.  Really.  I'm not.  I'm glad he's growing up healthy and strong.  I am.  And I'm not crying.  Well, maybe a little bit...)