What I Loved About Today....

This picture was not taken today, but John was this tired after all we did.....

Well, I loved a lot of things, but I didn't expect today to be easy.  Landy has been in Orlando since Saturday and I've been on caffeinated-auto-pilot ever since, especially since he has been gone every week for the last month. Shoooo...we're glad that's almost over! Anyway...today was John's 5 year old check up.  Aside from the heart palpitations I get from realizing that he has turned fiiiivvvvve, I knew this would be a doozy, because that kid hates shots. I once tried to encourage him to try writing his friend's name on a card by telling him to "give it a shot" which exploded into a 10 minute crying meltdown because "I don't want to get a shot!" Oh, and did I mention that we had to go at 2:00. No nap for you today, B. 

Leaving home, one of those things happened that makes you think, "Oh, I hope I always remember this moment!" As we were nearing the stop sign to turn off of our street (next to the corner on which stands a model home all decked out with flagpoles bearing the U.S. flag and the NC flag), John yelled, "Stop the car!!!" Startled, I stopped short and turned around to him, ready to convince him that the shots wouldn't be that bad, when he said, "I have to say the Pledge of Leadance!" So we sat there, and he said it, every word, even "leadance". I had to put my hand over my heart for so many reasons!

His check up was just fine. There was the eye test, the measuring (still haven't broken 40 lbs., but almost!), the answering of questions, the finger-stick followed by what seemed to be the draining of all his blood. He was so, so brave...so into being 5 and not crying! Of course, we have no concerns about John and I proceeded to make the entire appointment about Ben. That's what you get for being so healthy, John. Just lie low...maybe you won't get the shots after all..... No such luck! 4 shots to the legs, for which there was a bit of crying, but no limb-pinning necessary. Afterward we stopped for cherry sorbet (as not a milk protein shall pass those lips)! 

And then it was off to baseball, which only would have been better if Landy had been there, or oh, I don't know, maybe their coach?! Seriously, that dude hasn't been to 5 out of 6 practices. I am hereby re-naming Mr. Kurt as Mr. Coach. Ben and I watched and talked with Ivy and Gabe (and Gabe's girlfriends) and had a fun time, especially when Ben decided to knock the contents of his spoon out onto his sweet little head! And what did I do - clean it off? No! I took a picture (to be posted later...) because that's the kind of mom I am! But John did so great - Daddy would have been proud! There was no wrestling in the outfield while waiting his turn, he choked up on the bat just like Landy taught him, he even hit a line drive down the third base line and made it a double! Of course, he must have been a bit preoccupied as he waited at second, because he tried to catch the next hit rather than run to third...but we'll get this figured out! He's only five, right?