I'm hoping that if they are like Dr. House in manner, they also have his skills.

The gum-chewing doctor should be sent back to school.

ION, I too am waiting to see pictures of JZ's new hair. Has anyone seen mystery-Cindy's new haircut yet?

Kat, kick 'em in the sore leg and hide their pain pills.

Seriously? I'm so sorry you and your family are going through this. It's too much.

I have a question for the hivemind...

Julia got a staple through her thumb, all the way through. It went in at an angle from the side of the fleshy part, right through her fingernail. Scott got it out in one piece after quite a bit of effort. I washed it right off, then poured hydrogen peroxide on both the entry and exit wounds, then put some triple-biotic lotion (Neosporin or something like it) and a bandage on it.

I don't keep their shot records, any more. I let the doctor's office and schools worry about that. All three children had their physicals last month. Ben got a booster shot for Tentanus at the time. Julia and Chris didn't need any shots, so they're up to date.

Should I take her to the E.R., today? Do you think it would be okay to keep an eye on it (maybe soak in it Epsom salts a few times a day, change the bandage, yada) and wait to call the pediatrician, tomorrow?

I haven't had time to take a picture, Stephanie. We took some last weekend, but they were bad shots of me (the hair looked okay, it just takes Scott forever to take a picture and my face always ends up going all weird by the time he takes it).

Julia got a pixie cut on Friday. She's the first and only girl in her grade with short hair. Last night, at her softball game, as far as I can tell, she was the only girl on either team with short hair. It looks adorable. She has a little face, so the new 'do really flatters her so much better than the long hair.

Cindy, I think you've done what the ER would do. Watch her for fever or unusual swelling/redness at the site (especially creeping up the finger/arm over time) - ER for those - but call the Ped tomorrow for advice if she seems good.

If it aches, don't forget painkillers.

I agree with flea wrt to the ER - and I'm just teasing about the haircut. Who has time for pictures when you are running a home-ER.

Cass, happy birthday!

Cindy, sounds sensible, the advice from flea and Stephanie.

How colour-fast are sharpies? I have white towels I'd like to label somehow--I don't mind if the writing fades over time, but it's only a viable idea as long as the colour doesn't come off on skin or noticably onto other stuff in the wash.

Timelies all!

Happy Birthday Cass!

We're taking G's dad to a minor league game for Fathers Day. Should be nice.

How colour-fast are sharpies? I have white towels I'd like to label somehow--I don't mind if the writing fades over time, but it's only a viable idea as long as the colour doesn't come off on skin or noticably onto other stuff in the wash.

They sell special laundry markers -- called Rub-A-Dub or something silly like that -- for exactly that purpose. You ought to be able to find them everywhere this time of year, since kids going to camp need everything labelled.

Happy Birthday Cass!

Birthday Happies for Sue!!!

Is it Sue's birthday as well as Cass' ?

Kat, I am sorry the doctors' are all being House like. That must be frustrating as hell.

Last night, Perkins the cat had access to my bedroom for the first time in almost a year. He felt the need to play I'm king of the sleeping human every half hour or so to celebrate.

I second the rub-a-dub. If you can't find them in a regular store (I can't in upstate ny) you can order them from Staples.