LIfe with Lice

Well, we are surviving life with lice. Sometimes even thriving...

You see, when people make you dinner and you are not able to work outside the home and the children can't attend activities = you hunker down and life is pretty good. I have been super relaxed and even occasionally giddy. It's a pretty interesting snapshot of life...that what makes me happiest is just "being". Not going, not working but just being. And I can not understate the value of dinner being cooked for a family. When we had Peter, it was amazing and I don't think I cooked for 2 months. I truly appreciated it then like you can't believe. So in my book, I would have to procreate or loose a loved one to have dinner brought to my door again. Who would have thought that LICE would have done the trick.

Now there are down sides to lice. Peter can't play w/ friends and he doesn't understand why.

2 of the 3 children have home made hair cuts leaving one of them to look slightly forlorned. The recurrence of lice is always on my mind. An itch, a little piece of fuzz all resemble scary notions to me. But the worst part is having the school nurse comb through Lil's hair day after day and not let her come to school. It's heartbreaking to see her little face and I just hope to God she doesn't feel shamed by the whole. I personally have made this thing into a pretty big party so I am hoping THAT is what she will remember - not the denial into school.

Maeve did get to go back to school for her class election and she DID win the girl representative spot for student council. She is SO happy and I was practically in tears. In fact, Lily asked Maeve if anyone cried after the election and Maeve laughed and said "no, only mommy does that". Anyhoo - I will quote her exact words.

"I have to thank you b/c I think the part that did it for me in my speech was the part about being friends with everyone, even the boys. (my idea). Because when I looked up after reading that, everyone had an expression on their faces like "hmm, she's a good person"".

Seriously - how sweet and hilarious is that??!!

The next day, during out daily lice check with our school nurse, I told the nurse it was all worth getting Maeve back in on Thursday b/c she won the election. The nurse was excited for Maeve and all Maeve said was "there were a lot of great speeches".

Now I truly don't remember being mature in 4th grade and I am certain I wasn't humble. WHO is this girl? I must claim her as my own and be proud. She amazes me daily w/ her genuine kindness and it almost makes up for turtle like movement when we are trying to get out the door each day. Another thing, I might add, NOT inherited from me.

So we plug along and enjoy each day. We have movies and books and finally the sunshine. What can you do, right?

But, if by Tuesday (we are off Monday), the lice are fully back or Lily still can't get into school b/c of the damn nits, I will slit my wrists.

Rice Krispie Treats from a friend
A Blizzard from Dairy Queen
Home made meatballs and gravy
Chilli Mac dinner w/ all the trimmings including Tecate and dessert
Another trip to Dairy Queen for lunch
Treats at Caribou
Home made brownies from my neighbor.
All the pounds I have packed on in the name of fighting lice- WORTH IT.