I have been trying to locate flu shots for Allie & Ryan for a few weeks now. When I talked to my neighbor and she told me that she got a flu shot FOR HER DOG!!!!!!, that was the final straw. I knew there had to be flu shots out there for my HUMAN CHILDREN if there were flu shots available for dogs (no offense to dogs...I hope no dogs get the flu...but really??) Since our pediatrician had limited supply and was only giving flu shots to children under 3, I decided to check with Cobb County. I found that the East Cobb Community Health Center had flu shots and decided to take Ryan on Thursday before school.
We get dressed. We get in the car. Ryan is asking me about every 3 seconds 'where are we going'. I tell him 'errands', 'a quick stop before school'. I am no fool. If I said 'Oh, Ryan, we are just going to the clinic so the nurse can give you a flu shot', I probably would have had to chase him down Lower Roswell on foot!
We arrive at the clinic and I am very pleased to see that there are only 2 other people there. We take a number, sit down. Ryan is still asking what we are doing there. I distract him by sending him over to the 'play area'. When our # is called, we go to the window. I say in a very low voice 'I would like to get my son a flu shot'. The clerk SCREAMS back 'Just 1 FLU SHOT'. Ryan looks at me. I can see the panic but also the betrayal in his eyes as he realizes that this place is not one of our normal 'errands'. At first there is a whimper and a slight shake. I see full-on meltdown about to happen so I quickly tell him that after his flu shot we will go to Dunkin' Donuts for a treat. This quiets him so I can finish registration.
We go back to our seats and he is saying 'I don't want a shot, I don't want a blood shot'. He watched Allie have some blood drawn a few weeks ago so he is confusing this with just getting a shot. It doesn't matter. Both involve needles and blood and both are equally horrible in his mind.
We are called in quickly. I sit Ryan on my lap. He is tense but actually quiet. He holds his breath. The shot is administered (as well as a Tazmanian Devil band-aid). He looks right at me and says 'That didn't even hurt'. I am shocked that he did so well. Last year he cried WHEN ALLIE GOT A SHOT! He bounded out of the room and announced to everyone in the waiting area how he was very brave and that flu shots don't hurt. Mothers were thanking him for the PSA...ha ha.
Ryan was rewarded with chocolate milk and a strawberry frosted, halloween sprinkled donut. And all was right with the world once more!
The funniest part is that we had to go back after-school with Allie. I once again didn't tell them where we were going (since this tactic worked SO well for me in the AM). But when we pulled up to the clinic, Ryan looked right at Allie and screamed 'YOU ARE GETTING A FLU SHOT'. But then he quickly told her that it doesn't hurt and that she would get a cool band-aid and donut. It was actually quite sweet. And suprisingly, Allie did not shed a tear either. I feel very lucky to have escaped without too much vaccination drama this year!
Collecting candy @ Eddie Bauer
Allie borrowed Maggie's poodle skirt and belt. She was too cute! Allie has been sharing lots of facts about the 1950s with me this week. Mommy, did you KNOW that in the 1950s there were ONLY 3 channels on TV...and there were NO remote controls?? Unbelievable to an almost 6yo with satellite TV and a remote control that rivals most NASA programs! The class also played with legos, lincoln logs, hula hoops, and view finders. All toys that were introduced in the 1950s.
Avital & Allie
Matthew (Mr. Romance) and Blake
Stop taking pictures, Mom. It's cold out here!
More rides
Thomas & Ryan
Heading up on the Ferris Wheel
Way up!
And, scene
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