fingers caught

This was a couple of weeks ago. November 11th, to be precise. Sam and Joshua and I were playing at Waldo Park, a brand new park to us. I sat down to take photos of the kids and Josh came over. He casually stuck one finger in the hole in the bench, - - - and couldn't get it out. I mean, really, really couldn't get it out. I tried, and shortly realized that if I kept trying to get him out, I might hurt or break his finger. The woman walking by started running when she heard me yelling to her for help. I thought maybe she would have had some lotion in her purse to slip Joshua's finger out, but she ran away so fast from my screams for help I never got a chance to find out. Only the children's presence kept me from screaming some nasty words at her back. Samantha went to the car to get my purse and ran back. Joshua was starting to seriously panic, and I was losing cell phone charge, so I called 911. A police cruiser came immediately, and a fire truck with four fire fighters arrived right after that. THey used some Purell, but even with that it took a couple of minutes to get him wiggled out. He was so upset, he wrapped himself around my neck and squeezed as hard as he could. THe firefighters offered to give him a ride around the block in the engine and turn on the siren. He would have none of it. The police officer also offered to let him turn on the police siren, but Joshua didn't like that idea either. We went home, lit a fire and had hot chocolate and marshmallows. He was completely unfazed two hours later.

Superman!

My mom bought this costume for Josh a couple of years ago. She got it nice and big so it would fit him for a while. He found it tonight and put it on. Great exploits ensued. Superman! the perennial little boy cry. The little fanny slightly hanging out was very cute.

Stitches OUT!

Samantha had her stitches taken out today. She had been talking all day about how nervous she was, and no matter what I said she was freaked. Dr. Pangburn was wonderful. He showed her the clippers and how he did the whole thing, and he had Samantha pull out the actual two stitches. She did a great job. He also showed her the clave that sterilized the equipment. Samantha loves stuff like that. He really knows how to talk with her.

So the cut is healed over, but it is very pink and hard right now. Sam will need to put vitamin E cream on it to help it stay moist and not scar. Poor kid. Between this and the dog bite, she has two more scars than I ever wanted her to have. She is still my beautiful baby, though.

Sam has her riding lesson tomorrow morning, and she has an opportunity to take a group lesson on Thursdays with one other girl. Samantha is pretty excited about that.

She is completing her section on Wampanoags in school and has a field trip to Plimoth Plantation in a few weeks. She learned alot about them. SHe also has a biography due of Clara Barton, the founder of the red Cross. The class does a 'wax museum' of various historical characters. Each student dresses as their historical person and responds to questions from the parents. Should be fun. I am appalled at the amount of blood and horror that was part of Clara's life, but really impressed by her. I have certainly learned alot too! I am not looking forward to making a green dress from the civil war period, however.

Joshua plays with his matchbox cars and Hot Wheels. He spent ten minutes today picking out just the right car at the drugstore. His latest punishment for bad behavior is losing a toy car. Hey, it works.